Darrell,
You can buy video cams for both of you fairly cheaply (around $30 to $100 each depending on the quality you want), install the software that comes with each on both computers, and then you will probably also need to download video conferencing software on both computers. I've only conferenced a couple of times, but I downloaded free AIM software from AOL (did not require an AOL account, just a free registration at
http://www.aim.com ). I think you can also get something similar from Microsoft. Although I'm a computer professional like you, I spent a couple of sessions over a weekend figuring out what to download and how to get registered, installed and started. With the videocam installed, you do not need a separate microphone - it transmits video and audio. Sending very high quality video images would require a fast connection on both ends. Once you get everything installed, both of you would sign on to the service you chose such as AIM and you would tell each other the usernames you registered with. Then one of you would invite the other to a video cam session; the other one would accept the invitation to get the two of you connected. (I'm sure Kris would want to clean up his dorm room a bit first, LOL. How is he doing?) A very nice HSBBWeb dad helped me figure out how to do all this, as he was helping my son with his pitching mechanics. Good luck!