How about configuring and sending them an instance of TightVNC or UltraVNC (one or the other or both of those -- I forget), and then just using that channel to

How about configuring and sending them an instance of TightVNC or UltraVNC (one or the other or both of those -- I forget), and then just using that channel to remote to their system? Downside (maybe): They can only talk with you, and there may not be a convenient mechanism for always-on and notifications. (Or, doesn't the Chrome browser come with some sort of remote-enabling plug-in, these days?) Otherwise, possibly configure your own server intermediary and use Jitsi or similar? Downside: They'll only be able to talk with people similarly configured (although you could set up several people this way). The later is what I mean to move towards, Real Soon Now... :-/ P.S. It occurs to me now that you could use the remote access to get them configured for something else, as opposed to just to push a verbal-visual/"talk" communications channel over.