So, after posting this(below), I was told that I should try skype. Well, I do have skype and a microphone so if you're willing to give me a little demonstration e-mail me your info and tell me what times work for your. I'll try to find a time that works for us both. I'm determined to get this right!! I tried to make Al's gritty mix several years ago, and failed miserably. Getting the ingredients was someone costly, so if I attempt this again, I intend on getting this right. I would like to meet with someone and watch in person how this is done. I don't know why I'm not getting this, but I thought that maybe if I could watch someone do this, I might be able to better understand what I'm doing wrong. I'm having a houseplant mailed to me in a couple months, and I want to be ready when it arrives. Anyways, I'm in northern Illinois, only about 15-20 minutes away from the Wisconsin border. If anyone is willing to meet with me, please send me and e-mail so we can chat. someguy00273952@yahoo.com

With me and one son here and mom, sisters and two sons there, we love it!!! Actually, I don't have a camera, as it's one of the things that I always mean to get around to buying but never do, but the setup is grand, and DG uses it all the time with her son who is now in Hawaii. She's the computer tech person in the family. I remember being here for a year when there was only snail mail, and all letters were two weeks out of date, and some got lost, although the ones I have saved are dear and precious. But cyberspace has allowed me to stay in touch with my sons and family in a way I never imagined, and without it I would be fairly bereft. As one who reads endless amounts of science fiction, I am only too aware that today's sf is tomorrow's science, and for me, the communication universe is a miracle. Phone rates are way down, too, so calling and chatting is nowhere near the money it once was, and I talk to the States 2-3 times a month. Easy, cheap and wonderful! Batya

At this moment my daughter is logged in on my wife's Skype account in the Caribbean and as we type chat the other computer here (my wife's) acknowledges the transfer of data to my computer :~) It works with no problem. I also have my Skype account open on 2 computers (not normally but I have tonight) On the conference call thingy I would strongly advise against it unless one person is a listener. Very frustrating trying to co-ordinate the conversation when you have three all trying to yack at one then all three going silent. The silent is good but the chat becomes bedlam. If you try be sure to pick friendly folk who will not get mad because it is a very frustrating experience in my opinion.

Thanks Kudzu. I disabled it. That's an interesting link - glad Firefox has taken the initiative to soft block this troublesome extension. It was also useful to learn that Skype installed this automatically (it doesn't let the user choose). Lynn.