Over time, we have learned that there are some wonderful communication resources on the web that both enable and help us stay connected w/ you, and you with each other, for free! We selected these services because of their combined ease of use, portability, and proper function in various countries overseas. Additional benefit is realized the more we share the same tools & services.
Communicate w/ Cell Phone Text Messages
A simple hello or word of encouragement, use the web to send a text message to our cell phone around the globe instantly! Message can be up to 160 characters. Don't know our cell phone numbers? No problem! Just sign our guestbook below and we'll forward all our detailed contact information.
Communicate w/ DSL
At the time, SBC Yahoo! DSL was one of only two DSL service providers that serviced our area, and offered a very attract price of $26.95/month w/ free wireless router, 3 months of service credit, etc. Continuity & performance of service have been great, and we also like the Yahoo! Parental Control flexibility & reporting.
Communicate w/ e-Mail
Yahoo! Mail enables us to check e-mail in airport lounges, public terminals, as well as at home w/ great virus protection so you don't have to worry about nasty virus downloads! It's free, and the space generous. Liz & Kevin share an account and the kids each have their own. Note: The kids's email prevents them from receiving e-mail from anyone not already in their addressbook, so sign our GuestBook below to be added.
Communicate w/ e-Greetings
For holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, a note of inspiration, a thank you, a get well card, or just to say hello, let them know you're thinking of them w/ a Hallmark eGreeting!. Also check out some of our favorites at Positive Tones and Inspire21. You can also use Yahoo! Address Book to quickly select from your list who to send to.
Communicate w/ e-Groups
Yahoo! Groups: Family Trust is a free, easy to use, privacy protected service that enables family & relatives to share a website, files, links in a safe, private environment. Here is where we keep family specific information, legacy planning, family history & genealology, calendars, financial strategy, emergency contact info, etc.
Yahoo! Groups: Taipei Expatriates is a similar, privacy protected community that friends & family of Taipei Expatriates to stay connected, share learning and encourage each other online. Join now!
Communicate w/ Ground Mail & Packages
Yes, we have a mail forwarding service! Once each week your postcard, valentine, letter or holiday card will be forwarded to our Taiwan address. Allow 3 weeks for delivery. To receive this forwarding address along with our Taiwan contact information including phone, cell phones, etc., just register via the GuestBook below, and we'll forward you the detials via e-mail.
Communicate w/ Instant Messaging (IM)
Because of the wide proliferation of Yahoo! Messenger (second only to AOLs), and additional features, alerting, avatars (animated display images of yourself & others), background environments, we've standardized on Yahoo! Messenger.
Communicate w/ Internet Telephony
Skype is a free, easy to install & use service to talk locally, nationally & internationally for free! The voice quality is absolutely astounding, and? it was also recommended by several folks we know in Taiwan. The headphones we use (combination earpeice & microphone) we purchased for $14.95 (Logitech Internet Chat Headset and the packaging had a Skype Certified sticker on it). You literally just plug in the headset, download Skype, install, and add users you know. The whole thing took 6 minutes from start to finish, and most of that was opening the headset package. You can also add a cordless dualphone that receives both Skype & regular land-line calls. Reviews 1 2 3
Communicate w/ Photos
Like many of you, we have a digital camera. Yahoo! Photos has one of the easiest tools to create and manage albums, and privacy levels. Once uploaded, you can customize backgorunds, titles, see slideshows, print locally all for free. You can also chose the photos you want actual glossy 4x6 photo of for pennies (first 10 are free!), and they arrive in the mail just a few days later... Share your photos w/ us via Yahoo! Photos.
Communicate w/ Your Own Website
This website is free! If you feel so inclined, get creative on your own free website and share the link with us, and we'll be glad to post the link on ours! Yahoo! GeoCities offers various web hosting packages, with the basic one being free. If your demands or traffic grow beyond that, you can always upgrade later.
