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Skype, Facebook help families stay connected
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AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek, file
Watermelon, parades, and fireworks: Just a few of the things that come to mind as the July 4 holiday nears. However, the joy of holiday celebrations is often dampened when families find they can’t be together. Perhaps it’s the high cost of gasoline keeping you from a road trip to grandma’s house, or your work schedule leaves little option for vacation time, or the distance is too far for a brief visit. Whatever the reason, the world of technology now offers families some new ways to connect and share the holidays (and every other day).
If you want to get connected with far off family or friends this July 4, here are a few ideas. All you need is a computer, perhaps a video camera or digial camera, an internet connection, and a little tech savvy. The rest is free!
• Wish you could turn a computer into an internet phone? Skype does that! Skype software can be downloaded free and then installed onto a computer’s operating system. Any computer with Skype can connect with any other computer with Skype anytime 24/7. The connection can be just voice or both voice and video. Calls can even involve more than two people, so an extended family could meet together virtually, conference call style.
• Facebook also offers a “real time” option if you feel like a little back and forth chatter with grandma (or another family member or friend). Facebook is a free social networking website that allows users to stay connected and in touch with those they designate as “friends.” Users can also join groups and networks. The first step to using Facebook is to sign up, create a profile, and add some “friends.” That only takes a few minutes. Then, you can use the Facebook chat option to hold an ongoing, “real time” written conversation with one of your “friends.”
• If a favorite relative can’t be with you for July 4 festivities, you can videotape a portion of the family picnic or fireworks extravaganza and post the video on Facebook for viewing. Just remember to keep it short since the video needs to be under 100 MB and under two minutes.
• If video is not an option, you can take still photos using a digital camera, then upload those photos on Facebook or another photo sharing site, like flickr, for sharing.
• One last connection: While you are spending time on Facebook, be sure to check out the Kansas Mothers of Twins group. According to the group description, “All Kansas parents of multiples” are welcome to get connected and join in the discussion.
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