Dear Phil,
There are a number of ways that we can contact each other using free video calls. They include Facebook, Gmail, and WhatsApp. They all have relative advantages and disadvantages. WhatsApp is the best provided you already have it on your system.
1) Facebook has the advantage of giving the recipient a ring like it would be received using a landline. However both initiator and the recipient must have Facebook open on their systems for it to work. If this is not the case other means of communication would be necessary. An example would be sending an email asking if you want to chat and if so to open the Facebook. If I call, you would receive a ring and a box to accept the call. The system may ask you to authorize use of the microphone and camera. It also may ask you to sign in using your Facebook password.
If you want to initiate go into the Facebook openning screen. Close to the top is a horizontal menu with the "Messenger" icon. It looks like a speech balloon with a little "N" in it.
In the search box type in my name, "Yoseph Schreiber". You will receive a small screen that has at its top a horizontal menu which has a camera icon.Click the camera. This triggers the call and you will hear ringing. The recipient will also hear the ringing and receive a box that will allow him to answer the call.
2) Gmail also has the facility for video calls. It is similar to Zoom in that the recipient receives a link via email. If I initiate the call you would simply click the link.
If you wish to initiate it open Gmail. At the bottom is a camera icon. Click it.
This will open a new screen which will allow you to send a link via email .
Click "New Meeting" than "Start an Instant Meeting". This will generate a screen which will allow you to email a link to others.
At this point you must wait for the recipient to click the link. The initiator then must let him participate by clicking a box. The system may request permission to use the camera and microphone as well as a password that is verified with a text message code. It's effective but the ring feature makes Facebook easier.
3) WhatsApp is probably the best. However if you don't have it already it will be necessary to download and install. It's in the Play store.
To contact me you would need my cellphone number. It is " +972544784900 ".
WhatsApp is the best to use. It rings and behaves like a landline. If it's not on your system, though, it may not be worth the bother of installing. For you I'd say Facebook messenger is probably the best. A small effort would be needed to accustom yourself to it's use. Most likely, though, you're most familiar with Gmail. I use all three of them to talk to people in the States. To set them up may take an exchange of emails or a phone call. The phone call is not expensive about 2¢ a minute. The next time we want to chat we can cooridinate.
Take care,
Schreiber
No comments:
Post a Comment