skype

Not sure if this is the right part of the forum or even the right forum but I have a question about skype.
I'm wondering if it's possible to set up my laptop so that only skype can be used on it and no other programs run, no windowns open up for other stuff and no other icons are visible.
Let me explain. I'm going on a 1 year trip and I would like to stay in touch with my elderly parents through skype because it's free and also because they could also see me and not just hear me like on a phone. However they are totally computer challenged. lol
I'm trying to teach them how to use skype but if ever something happens like a window opens by mistake or a virus scan is performed and asks to close or whatever else that is not exactly what I show them, they will just panic and won't know what to do. So I 'd liketo set up th elaptop so that it can stay turned on all the time with skype logged on and whenever i call, they just have to click on answer and that's it.
Is that possible? And if yes, is there anyone in Montreal who is available to set it up for me.I could meet you in a starbucks or second cup.
Thank you for your help,
Tamara

 

You could launch skype and then kill explorer.exe process.
That would make the skype the only visible window (as long as they don't close it by mistake)
The thing is- it it's meant to last a year there’ll be lots of issues- Windows Update will require a restart and inevitably something will crash and that would end up in a reboot too. It's hard to achieve 100% availability with no maintenance at all- these are server figures.

 

Does the laptop have a hard button that you can run an application from. I have Skype rigged to a button on my laptop. This makes it easy for other family members to launch without any issues. Also place a Skype Icon in the system tray and another in a folder named Skype.

 

thank you for the advice but i still would need some help to actually do those things...
i have no idea about the hard button thing and also the maintenance with updates and restart requirements are bothering me. I wish it cuold all be done bu the computer itself... and then it could go back to skype too...is that possible?

 

reb1 has a point.
If there's no password and skype can be launched by just pressing a dedicated button the computer wouldn't have to be on all the time and it would be easy to understand for your parents.
What laptop is it?

 

it's a dell laptop ( i'll have to check when i'm home for details if you need them) and i wouldn't mind setting it up so there would'nt be a password.

 

Ok it's a Dell inspiron 1525. Any chance I could do that button thing?

 

I don't know- it's hard to see from the photos on the net if there's any button that can be used to launch an app of you choosing.
Since you have the laptop you have to either figure out which buttons are for what or consult owner's manual.
Even if there's no hardware button it will not be a problem- skype can be launched at startup and all they have to do is click the icon in the tray and select whom do they want to call.

 

You could try installing StarDock Fences. With Fences, when you double click on the desktop, it hides all the icons etc. Combine that with autohiding the toolbar and you'd have a clean desktop.

 

that seems great but i would need someone to do it for me
I'm not that great with computers
That's why I'm hoping someone in Montreal will read this thread and will be willing to help...

 

if you are willing to spend some money, the easiest option is to buy a Skype phone, that will be connected to your modem/router, you won't need a PC.
You just need to log on the phone with your credentials and it will be operative 24/7, like a normal phone.
This is just an example, you can find something cheaper:

Amazon.com: Netgear Dual Mode Cordless Phone with Skype(SPH200D): Electronics

Hope it wll help you..

 

That seemed perfect until i watched the little video showing the phone. The phone doens't have a screen or camera so we still can't see eachother. So I could just call my parents (using skype) on their cell phone....but thanks for your suggestion.

 

use logmein and run the computer from anywhere in the world . That is how I do things with my 88 year old father . Computer on and I can maintain launch whatever he needs . Asus has a video skype phone that is simple to set up and use , a bit pricey though

 

Hi Jerry, thank you for your advice. This logmein thing seems interesting. So does it mean that I can access my parent's computer from any other computer anywhere?
Woudl you be available to meet me in a cafe and set it up for me? How about the hard button for skype that reb1 and downloads were talking about?

 

tamara1973: A hard button is exactly what it means. It is a mechanical button. I have a button just above my keyboard to the left of the speaker that I depress. It can be programed to activate an application or other feature on my computer. The logmein program can be launched from any computer by logging in to the account you make when you setup the application on the the computer you want to access. You need to go to there web page and read the details to make sure it will work and to understand how to use it.

https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/