Most Internet Cafes have Skype installed and have reasonable headphones specifically for use with Skype. All your son needs is a Skype account. This isn’t ideal for an emergency but it’s cheap for longer chats. The phone he buys in Spain will work for that.

The Skype issue is of little concern. He has a PowerBook, and he can use either that or iChat to do audio contact. I also have a USB-based wireless phone that supports the Skype network, but its transmitter/receiver must be attached to the computer.

That and the other suggestions made here ought to do the job, I hope. Grayson also has the plug adapter to connect the PowerBook’s charger to the European-based receptacles.

Peace,
Gene

Most Internet Cafes have Skype installed and have reasonable headphones specifically for use with Skype. All your son needs is a Skype account. This isn’t ideal for an emergency but it’s cheap for longer chats. The phone he buys in Spain will work for that.

Gene,

Our daughter just spent 6 months in York, England as part of her junior year.

Communication options.

1. Grayson will buy a mobile phone in España which will be inexpensive (€15). Then he will buy a plan from a carrier. The least expensive for low use are “top-up” plans. The plan will also allow for emergency calls back to the USA at about 1 euro/minute.

2. Skype or iChat will allow voice/picture communication.

3. iChat for Instant Messaging.

4. Email.

It will work just fine and you won’t spend a fortune.

Grayson will definitely take advantage of option one, perhaps with some ability to call the U.S. for short durations.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Peace,
Gene

Gene,

Our daughter just spent 6 months in York, England as part of her junior year.

Communication options.

1. Grayson will buy a mobile phone in España which will be inexpensive (€15). Then he will buy a plan from a carrier. The least expensive for low use are “top-up” plans. The plan will also allow for emergency calls back to the USA at about 1 euro/minute.

2. Skype or iChat will allow voice/picture communication.

3. iChat for Instant Messaging.

4. Email.

It will work just fine and you won’t spend a fortune.

[...] Story continued in this week’s Tech Night Owl Newsletter. [...]