(NAPSA)—America is a country on the move. According to a recent online survey, nearly eight out of 10 Americans (79 percent) have close family membersliving in another city or town. And among these Americans, the farthest family member lives an average of 754 miles away. Add to that long workdays and daily commitments and it makes sense that more and more people are taking advantage of technology to stay connected with relatives near andfar. Video calling (with a webcam and an Internet-connected computer) is probably the best way to see and hearfar-flung loved ones. Although manypeople are already enjoying video calls, others just don’t know how to get started. It’s much easier than it looks, how- ever—and the best part is, it’s usually free! Here are three helpful tips for those new to video calling: 1. Choose and buy the right webcam. Thereis a wide range of webcamsavailable on the market. For some, a very basic modelwill do the job. Others may want a higher-end model with more advanced capabilities. Check out the Logitech QuickCam line for a range of webcams priced from basic to premium. For the beginner looking for something basic with good image quality, the Logitech QuickCam Chat ($30) is easy to set up and comes with a headset. For those who wantall the bells and whistles, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks (both $100) deliver superior image quality. Both webcams feature a Carl Zeiss glass lens, autofocus technology and High Quality Video on Skypecertification. While extra features are a matter of preference, make sure that the webcam is compatible with the computer it is intended for. The Parnes More and more people are taking advantage of technology, such as video calling, to stay connected with relatives nearandfar. webcam’s package should provide information on setup requirements. 2. Install the webcam andsoftware (if included). Follow the instructions from the webcam manufacturer to ensure proper installation. This typically involves running the softwareinstallation CD and restarting the computer. 3.Choose and download an Internet video calling application. After the webcam is successfully installed, sign up for an Internet video calling application. Popular applications include Skype, Windows Live™ Messenger, Yahoo!, Google Talk and AIM. Most of these applications are free to download and feature step-by-step instructions for installing, creating an account as well as finding and adding family members. Remember, both people participating in a video call need to use the same application. Once the webcam and Internet video calling application are set up, all it takes is a few mouseclicks to make a videocall. With this simple and cost-effective solution, parents, grandparents and kids alike can talk face-to-face without ever getting in a caror plane. For more information, visit www.logitech.com/webcam_howto.
