Internet connection for mom! :)

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LancelotSA

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Ok not really sure which section this belongs in so if this is wrong please move it... :)

My brother has been transferred by his company overseas. My mom obviously wants to be able to stay in touch with the grandkids and my bro.

We were chatting today about getting her on the net, so I thought it may be an idea to get some of the pros on here to provide some advice!

What would the suggestions be to get her connected to the net so that she can email, IM via Windows Live perhaps and also if possible use a webcam either with Skype or another suitable carrier? She would probably also like to speak to my brother so VOIP would also be of interest.

She currently has a Telkom phone line and a desktop PC that we can load with all that she will require.

We are looking at the cheapest solution and obviously a huge cap is not necessary but I could do with advice on how much data say one hour "web camming" per week will use? And on that note does anyone know how much data a Skype phone call uses say per hour of chat? I know video uses more than voice which uses more than IM but what sort of quantities are we dealing with?

It has been ages since I have used dial up but would this be an option? I know it would probably not work for camming but voice and IM?

I would appreciate any advice or input. Thanks.
 
[OUPA]MrNutz;1573364 said:
my 2c:

do broadband 1 @ R199 + Webafrica Prepaid - 10gb or so.
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Thanks, but please could I ask that you guys give a little more info like why you feel this solution is best.
 
my take:

skype does use a lot of cap ...so 1 gb of international traffic might a bit 2 little if she is going to use it frequently...thats why i say get 10gig prepaid so that the not-so-busy periods you don't have to pay a fixed rate for additional data..
 
[OUPA]MrNutz;1573376 said:
my take:

skype does use a lot of cap ...so 1 gb of international traffic might a bit 2 little if she is going to use it frequently...thats why i say get 10gig prepaid so that the not-so-busy periods you don't have to pay a fixed rate for additional data..
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10GB seems excessive but I guess if it is prepaid it will last a good long time:)
 
I use a fair amount of skype with all the daily chats to family overseas but never more than a gb a month - that's all voice though.

iChat's video chows a bit more but then you're getting a lot more - plus the grandparents love seeing the kids so its worth it.
 
bwana said:
I use a fair amount of skype with all the daily chats to family overseas but never more than a gb a month - that's all voice though.

iChat's video chows a bit more but then you're getting a lot more - plus the grandparents love seeing the kids so its worth it.
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Yeah she'll probably want video... she is not very computer literate so in all likelihood she will not spend much time on their each month, but probably a call or two per week. Also nice to receive emails and pictures from my bro which could add up.

Is Skype video any good? I see you mention another video app?

So dial up would not work for these?
 
LancelotSA said:
Yeah she'll probably want video... she is not very computer literate so in all likelihood she will not spend much time on their each month, but probably a call or two per week. Also nice to receive emails and pictures from my bro which could add up.

Is Skype video any good? I see you mention another video app?

So dial up would not work for these?
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Skype video is fair. The iChat I mentioned is Mac only.

You'll want a broadband connection for this. :)
 
I would agree - start small and try the Telkom Do 1 package as advised above. If you run out of bandwidth then move on to a Do 2 at R258 per month or use the prepaid bandwidth suggested above. If you order your ADSL services from Telkom, installation and repair times should be shorter and upgrading, payment should be very simple.

I would also suggest looking at a simple Voip provider such as www.voipraider.com or www.12voip.com. These companies offer free calls to SA landlines for 90 days for a fee of 10 Euros. You can try out the service free of charge from the voipraider homepage just by entering the two telephone numbers and pressing the call button. It should even be possible to use this Voip service with a dialup internet connection provided that you disconnect the line before receiving the Voip call over the same line. The advantage of this service over many of the other Voip services is that you can make calls between two landlines without using *any* bandwidth for the call which could cost more than the Voip service itself if used heavily. Most novices would be much more at home making calls over their normal telephone than via a microphone/headphones etc.

Alternatively you could initiate calls from a GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSDPA cell phone or datacard connection or via a Blackberry - a subscription costs R69 per month and allows unlimited e-mailing and simple web browsing on the device - should be enough to initiate phone calls etc. I have seen secondhand unlocked BT Blackberries on sale for <R600 on Bidorbuy but you would need to check very carefully that they will work in SA.
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/7121539/BLACKBERRY_7290_UNLOCKED_PDA_PHONE.html
 
And order it soon, i've heard rumours that it can take awhile to get your adsl set up by Telkom, just rumours though :)
 
Yotch said:
I would agree - start small and try the Telkom Do 1 package as advised above. If you run out of bandwidth then move on to a Do 2 at R258 per month or use the prepaid bandwidth suggested above. If you order your ADSL services from Telkom, installation and repair times should be shorter and upgrading, payment should be very simple.
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My mum uses DO 1 and Skype and often has at least 30% unused at the end of the month. The Skype video works fair but MSN live messenger has better video.

My advice,
- D01 (no need for WebAfrica topup - added complication- username passwords etc) Telkom has a clickon top up (simpler - when it works )
-Use Skype, everything is all in one (Voice, Video, and Text messaging)
-Get a USB phone, easier for the 'ol lady to use (as opposed to mic and headset)
-Buy Skype-out credit for overseas direct to landline calls (in Dollars if you think you can use that facility)
 
bwana said:
Rather than using Telkom and their Do1 why not save a few rand - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=108869

That r60 savings will almost buy you an extra gb of PAYG from another ISP and that will carry over so she has something in reserve. :)
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Thank guys.

Yeah I was just looking at that new Nashua offering for her... might end up being the way to go. She will then get the router thrown in and only be tied in for 12 months, which is fine for her.
 
What about iburst? No cap and also skype and camming is unshaped.

Having two ISP for mom isn't very convenient unless she knows how to change settings in the router.

Plus with Iburst u can get it setup in less than a day if u get a 2nd hand modem...

But if she likes web browsing she'll get irritated :p
 
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