Technology and Parents...struggle and solutions...

Last few weeks, I had been struggling talking to my Parents in India...reasons: slow internet in India (now debatable...read further for clarifications), preference for video conferencing...they followed every small instructions their so called educated kids gave them from thousands of miles away...but nothing seemed to be working...I was frustrated...I had already started calling on Phone...but they did not change their routine...every weekend on the scheduled time they were there and invited for a Video chat...

Back Story: On my last India visit, I left my old laptop back home...cleared all my old stuff (:P)...re-formatted hard drive...made shortcuts (music, internet, pics)...trained them on how to use the laptop...very similar to any employee/operator I train at my work...I came back hoping that they would use for day to day activities (pics, music, movies etc..)...I came back...tried my best but I realized quickly they only look at Laptop as a medium to connect with their kids who are far away from them...

All this while we have been using Google Talk and normal gmail for Video chat...it worked fine and never tried something else (skype...etc...)...today tried to fix things...as usual video call dint work...I was able to hear their sound...but sound from our side was very low which which was also one of the major concerns for last few weeks...Firstly, I asked them to check lot of connections which did not work...I finally decided to try Skype...I had earlier created an accound and gave them a list of usernames and passwords but meanwhile someone had re-installed Skype and as usual my list was lost sonewhere in house...result: Mom blaming Dad for untideness (She could not blame me for obvious reasons)...had already wasted 2 hours without any fruitful conversation...Finallly Idea clicked...whatever u learn everyday comes in use some of the other way...I had used this technique sometime back when working with a customer service guy working on a company software and decided to try this....after few failed attempts...got it right and most of the issues seem to be fixed...if problems arise...I will follow the steps again and less time will be wasted...here are the steps I used...

1. On Google Talk send the link: https://join.me/
2. Asked them to click it...So it opened in new window...
3. Asked them to click "Share"
4. It downloads an "Exe file"...Asked them to run it after download...

NOTE: First 3 steps r easy and worked easily...spent some time to find where the download file went but it worked out okay...

5. Once they run the file, it gives a bunch of numbers at the top for example: https://join.me/981-652-457
6. Get those numbers and type that in the URL as seen above and just run it
7. Now you will see their screen...in the last option ask for control of their screen
8. Once they give you permission, ask them to leave the mouse and enjoy...
9. You can chat (voice/video) while you aree working on this...
10. I logged them into Skype, added myslef and few more important poeple to the contact list...I also added them to google plus...to use Hangout...re-taught few things using their mouse and their screen and using my voice over here...

For now this seems to be working, voice quality is great...You can also fix some other things on the computer (space, pic, shortcuts, can also teach them on using a computer in a more efficient way)...lets c how it goes...will post more on the experiences which will follow...

Lets c...

My First Day on Windows Live!

This is to review Windows Live Writer tool…and see how it can help me…will update soon…