My daughter Molly moved out of the house recently. She not only moved out of the house, but out of the state. So this relates to computers how? I’ll tell you.

Before she left, I set up her laptop with a webcam and a video conferencing program. Now we’re able to video chat with her and send video e-mails. It’s the next best thing to her being in town, and my wife is easier to live with.

This is by no means an expensive or difficult venture. Webcams practically set themselves up and go for $20-$200. There are lots of good ones in the $30-$50 range. You can shop for them locally at most major retailers.

But the best buys, in my opinion, are online. Check out newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, amazon.com, overstock.com or ebay.com.

An advantage to buying online is that you can read comments from those who already purchased the product you’re looking at. If lots of folks say the sound quality is poor, I’ll assume that it is and move on.

Microsoft has more than a few models to choose from, as does Logitech, a big name in webcams. There’s also some from Creative to consider. The software is free and there is a bunch to choose from.

Some of the cameras come with a disc that includes at least one program. I tested Yahoo Messenger, Skype. ooVoo, Microsoft Messenger and SightSpeed. There is also one called Eyeball Chat.

All of these offer free downloadable programs that are easy to use. You register the program, give yourself an identifiable name, plug in the webcam and you’re good to go.

All will allow you to chat online with any service and some will let you create video e-mails as well. You simply send it as an attachment.

If you use Outlook 2003, you can create a video email from within Outlook. The 2007 version, not surprisingly, doesn’t support it.

There are a few things to know about using webcams. Place your cam at eye level about 18-24 inches in front of you. Lots of new laptops and netbooks have them integrated in the bezel around the monitor.

If not an auto-focus model, be sure your image is crisp and clear. Try to position yourself so you are illuminated. If there’s a window or lamp behind you, it will be light and you will be a shadow.

All programs have some adjustments to fine tune your image. (You get to preview your headshot before you transmit it.) Tweak the brightness and contrast if necessary and test the audio.

If you’re trying to hook up a webcam you found lying around your house and you can’t get it to work, consider the operating system. An older cam may only have a device driver for XP; it may not work with Vista. You could always try to download a current driver from the manufacturer’s web site, but you may need to get a new web cam if you have Vista.

It’s also worth mentioning that some, but not all of the webcams come with an integrated microphone. If yours has one, it’s good in that you won’t need an additional piece of hardware.

But realize that a device that small will not generate the best quality audio. Those built-in mics are nothing more than tiny holes on the side of the cam.

There is the option of using a dedicated microphone or even a headset with a boom mic. It’s your choice. All desktops as well as laptops have inputs for headphones and microphones.

The picture quality has a lot to do with the optics of the lens. As with any camera, the more glass, the better the picture. The old adage, "you get what you pay for," applies to both of these instances. But it may work for you. You’re not creating a family archive to be passed down to the generations. It’s a web chat.

A closing caveat: There also are web-based programs. These are the type that you don’t download. You simply go to their Web sites, camera ready, and chat online using their service.

Such sites are chat platforms largely for the singles set. You can join a chat room or create one of your own. They are great for meeting folks online.

But if you’re just looking for a simple 1:1 video chat with your chosen few, choose one of the other programs.