<p>Royce DM - what is the email syntax that is used or should we just wait for the first email to be sent from the boy?</p>
<p><a href=“mailto:firstname.lastname.2011@usmma.edu”>firstname.lastname.2011@usmma.edu</a></p>
<p>thank you very much</p>
<p>Just FYI - AIM is not working right now on the Academy server. It hasn’t worked since after graduation. That really is a great way to keep in touch, but just so you don’t panic that you can’t get it to work when they get their laptops - word from the DD is that the problem is on their end and they expect to have it resolved soon (but it’s been a couple of weeks now, so…)</p>
<p>This sounds like a high priority for the academy with this group of parents on cc. We parents are high energy for sure. You know the saying the apple does not fall far from the tree.</p>
<p>One more thing to add. In case you did not know, AIM, MSN, Yahoo IM programs are available on your cell also. So, when you are away from the computer just open the application in your cell phone and sign on. That way when you are out and about your son/daughter can chat when they have a free min. Verizon charges it just like message time, not air time.</p>
<p>AIM was working last night, I chatted with DS about 9pm</p>
<p>Yeah! They must have fixed it yesterday! My DD just signed on after I posted that it had been a problem. Good going USMMA IT people!</p>
<p>I see on the academy IT site they allow Skype. I use Skype from time to time and it works great. Anyone there have any experience with this?</p>
<p>I used Skype when my husband was over seas and it worked great. A little delay in the voice but it has been a couple of years so it may have improved since then.</p>
<p>Skype works great. My son can talk computer to computer for free. You also have to download Skype (free) to receive his calls or to call him. The reception is better than cellphones. Also, he paid a small amount so he can also call any phone, not just computers. The midshipmen are very busy so don’t expect to always reach them when you initiate the call. You should also buy headphones and/or a webcam for you and your midshipman (available on the Skype website). The webcam is special because you get to see them and their room and they get to see you. These devices tempt you to lengthen calls, but keep in mind that they only have so many hours for rigorous study, inspections, and many other obligations.</p>
<p>so what’s the difference between skype video chat and yahoo or AIM?</p>
<p>During the year, be sure to check out their away messages for entertainment. Good stuff. Boss, the Coastie Dad, & I used to trade them for kicks. </p>
<p>My favs:</p>
<p>Calc II exam at 0900 .Drinking a bottle of bleach at 0800. Just so you know.</p>
<p>YAY! Chicken today! Chicken yesterday & chicken the day before. I just plucked a feather from my armpit. Send more food. </p>
<p>If all goes as planned, by midnight I will Ninja myself out of here. </p>
<p>I find the mortals humorous today. Currently, they are outside in the freezing cold, pelting each other with balls of some strange white substance that fell from the sky. They look to be wearing every article of clothing they own making them appear four times their natural size. I would guess that if they should fall over, they could not get up. Im going to go push one to see. </p>
<p>Feel fuzz on my head. Must be time for a haircut.</p>
<p>If you use AIM, set up Mobile IM, so when you sign off of the computer you can still receive all messages because they are automatically forwarded to your cell, then you can just text back from anywhere. That way you don’t have to log on to any messaging service from your phone, and you are always “available.”</p>
<p>I’ve got MAIL! 
. Ok, it’s "E"MAIL, but I’m not awful picky. Hmmmm. Dang kid’s brief even when it’s NOT costing him 41 cents. :rolleyes: The surprising part is that my Outlook2003 automatically classified it as junk mail 
! We’re going to have to have a little talk, Mr Gates and I. </p>
<p>But I’m a stickler! The letter count only goes up when a HUMAN postal worker touches it.</p>
<p>Ok, I’m old school - even though I sell technology I tell my customers never to let me near their computers lest I bring down their servers. The boy comes up for air this evening on the email and says “hey i cant set up an AIM account here at school will you set up one for me with the user name of … pw of … and email me back?” Is he having problems setting it up because it has been down? Does anyone have a URL to register for AIM? What the heck is AIM?</p>
<p>well, at least I know he has no broken fingers and can type.</p>
<p>give this a shot . . . it should work for you</p>
<p><a href=“https://reg.my.screenname.aol.com/_cqr/registration/initRegistration.psp?mcState=initialized&seamless=n&createSn=1&sitedomain=www.aim.com&siteState=http://www.aim.com/get_aim/congratsd2.adp&triedAimAuth=y&promo=380464&mcAuth=%2FBcAG0alYikAAK9PAJuSw0alYmUIh7caKkxghekAAA%3D%3D[/url]”>https://reg.my.screenname.aol.com/_cqr/registration/initRegistration.psp?mcState=initialized&seamless=n&createSn=1&sitedomain=www.aim.com&siteState=http://www.aim.com/get_aim/congratsd2.adp&triedAimAuth=y&promo=380464&mcAuth=%2FBcAG0alYikAAK9PAJuSw0alYmUIh7caKkxghekAAA%3D%3D</a></p>
<p>Just talked to my son for about 45 minutes on aim. Finally! He said everything is good. Indoc was not hard but was annoying. He said he has hysterical stories to tell. He has a bunch of nicknames. He claims he can use the phone from 7:00am till 7:00 p.m. on Sundays. I hope he is right, but think he is wrong. Just glad I finally talked with him. Also gave me a list of about $100 worth of stuff he needs. He said needs an air purifier. Room is old and dusty. He says he keeps dusting it. He asked for swifter. I can’t believe my jock son who didn’t lift a finger at home is asking for a swifter. Boy I love this school. Laundry, sewing and now dusting. He’s doing in two weeks what I have been trying to get him to do for 18 years. He also said they were told this school is the toughest one to graduate from out of all the academies. Well I can go to sleep tonight a little less heavy hearted. Hope all heard from yours too.</p>
<p>Got the same report from my son too! LOL…dusting, sewing, cleaning, laundry…We need to bottle what the school teaches, we could make a million selling it to parents of teens all over the world!</p>
<p>I IM’d my son last night. A first for me! It was so great to “talk” to him. He said not to send the brownies yet, but the protein bars would be OK to send. He went to Chapel the past 3 Sundays. Said Chaplain Shuley is really nice and has great words of wisdom! He couldn’t “talk” too long because he had to go clean his room!!! Is this really my son???</p>