Easy to use, preferably free video chat program?

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Now my kids talk more and my mom (who lives in Switzerland) can actually understand them, she'd like to talk to them more. I know Skype is one of the biggest video chat programs- I used to use with with my now-husband, before it had video capabilities . But basically what I am looking for is a video chat program that is VERY easy to install and use, with little possibility of downloading spam or viruses- love my mom but she isn't great with technology (I set up a FB page for her so she could see the photos I post of the kids and that took a long time to get her to understand...). Bonus if it's free to use- we wouldn't need it a lot, maybe a couple of times a month for 10 minutes or so.

Suggestions?

[The Mean Lady 604]

You could always remote to your mother's computer to install skype if you're worried she won't understand.

But using it... couldn't be easier.

Click the persons name, click video call.

With ANY video program, you're going to have to make sure the camera/mic are working properly, but this can also be done remotely or with simple explanation over the phone... same with the actual installation process.

I use skype for approximately 50 hours a week.

[BaBamSam 239]

Now my kids talk more and my mom (who lives in Switzerland) can actually understand them, she'd like to talk to them more. I know Skype is one of the biggest video chat programs- I used to use with with my now-husband, before it had video capabilities . But basically what I am looking for is a video chat program that is VERY easy to install and use, with little possibility of downloading spam or viruses- love my mom but she isn't great with technology (I set up a FB page for her so she could see the photos I post of the kids and that took a long time to get her to understand...). Bonus if it's free to use- we wouldn't need it a lot, maybe a couple of times a month for 10 minutes or so.

Suggestions?

Skype is one of the easiest programs to use and it's pretty self-explanatory to install. You could always walk her through it with a brief call (I did this for my parents when I was living in the UK).

I use an online video chat for friends (from so many countries) here: http://tinychat.com/ and it works pretty well.

To talk with my fiance, I use FaceTime almost exclusively, but obviously that will only work with Apple things.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Skype is one of the easiest programs to use and it's pretty self-explanatory to install. You could always walk her through it with a brief call (I did this for my parents when I was living in the UK).

I use an online video chat for friends (from so many countries) here: http://tinychat.com/ and it works pretty well.

To talk with my fiance, I use FaceTime almost exclusively, but obviously that will only work with Apple things.

The Apple solution may be the easiest to use and most trouble free, but you would need some kind of Apple device on both ends. Two iPads would work, but wouldn't be cheap.

[caly 48]

Skype is the easiest one I can think of. Google+ hangouts are much more fun but has a slightly steeper learning curve.

As KDH said, remote in to her computer and install and set-up the required profile. I use teamviewer to do this and troubleshoot other computer problems for my parents.. Yes, they haunt me with computer trouble even halfway around the globe. Teamviewer is free to use but you'll need someone to download and install the programme onto her computer before it will work. If this is a possibility though, it's a really nifty programme. When my parents need help, all they need to do is open the programme and give me the session ID and passcode and I'm in!

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

Google hangouts are great.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Skype is about as easy as it gets. My dad thinks his Facebook status works like Google, and even he can figure out Skype.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Just a quick update: a friend pointed out that you can now use Skype from within Facebook so we did that. I just clicked the "call" button on my mom's profile, which prompted her to install the software, and away we went very easy for both of us, and free.