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Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the frequently asked questions below to find the answers:
Where can Talk2Dad.net be accessed?
How much does Talk2Dad.net cost?
How do I pay for Talk2Dad.net?
Do I really get unlimited storage space?
I have a contact order that prevents contact with my children. Can I still use Talk2Dad.net?
Do I have to have Broadband or can I use Talk2Dad.net with Dialup internet connection?
I do not have an email account. Can I still use Talk2Dad.net?
My children don't have email accounts, can we still use Talk2Dad.net?
What is the Talk2Dad.net instant messaging system, and how does it work?
Why does Talk2dad.net have its own mail system?
I like the idea of Talk2Dad.net, but I'm worried we'll get bored and stop using it.
Who is Talk2Dad.net for?
Talk2Dad.net has been designed and created by a distant Dad who is separated from his children through divorce, for distant Dad's everywhere.
However experienced or otherwise you are with the internet or a PC, Talk2Dad.net enables you to communicate with your kids using secure mail and instant chat. It enables you and your children to share diaries and journals, create web-pages, share photos and all sorts of files.
Talk2Dad.net can create an ongoing environment that you and your children will want to use, and can bring you together like nothing else can when you are separated.
Where can Talk2Dad.net be accessed?
Dad and his children can access Talk2Dad.net from any location, such as a library, at school, in an internet cafe or at home. If your children do not have access to a computer at their custodial home, they will certainly be able to access a computer at school. Virtually all schools allow children to access a computer and the internet during lunch periods or after lessons, and most schools also operate computer clubs. Alternatively, the school library or the children's local lending library provide free access to a computer and the internet. For Dads with no internet access, the local library is the best place for free access to the internet. Alternatively, the internet can be used in a variety of internet cafes for a small charge per hour.
How much does Talk2Dad.net cost?
We have tried dozens of models to make Talk2Dad.net cost effective. Our intention was always to make the service free, but we had to balance our goal with the cost of providing large enough servers to enable users to store unlimited pictures, files and web pages. Our costs are therefore £24 per year, or just £2 per month. This covers the costs of our servers calculated on an average use of c.2Gb of storage per family. Some families will use much more, and some may use less. But this is the most cost-effective method we have been able to deliver to users of Talk2Dad.net that enables 24hr, secure access to the system and unlimited resources per user. So you and your children will never have to worry about running out of space!
How do I pay for Talk2Dad.net?
Payment of your subscription to Talk2Dad.net is via our payment gateway, WorldPay, which enables payment by Visa, Mastercard, Switch and Maestro credit and debit cards. Our registration process is quick, simple and totally secure. Talk2Dad.net does not store your credit / debit cared details and we do not share your personal information.
Do I really get unlimited storage space?
The registered user, and all their children, have unlimited storage space. However, as stated in our Terms and Conditions, the unlimited storage space is on the basis of what we refer to as “reasonable use”. If you are a father, and you and your children are using the Talk2Dad.net system for its intended purpose, you need never worry about us limiting your ability to store the pictures, files and web-pages you want. The “reasonable use” policy only exists to prevent scrupulous people from using our system for alternative means, such as using our free storage for their business, or for selling products and services, or hosting their own websites.
How secure is Talk2Dad.net?
We take every precaution possible to ensure our servers and our systems are secure. Our system is password protected, and we do not use cookies (which are stored on the local computer and store login and password information) to prevent other users of the computer from gaining access without knowledge of the password. Our payment gateway is the most secure on the planet, and is used worldwide as one of the most secure payment mechanisms available.
How can I ensure my children's custodial parent or guardian doesn't know about or see our Talk2Dad.net?
It is important that the Talk2Dad.net system and its content is secure and private between a Dad and his children. To ensure this, it is critical that your password and the children's passwords are kept private from their custodial parent or guardian. It is important to remember that if, for example, you are separated or divorced from your children's custodial parent or guardian, your ex-partner may be familiar with the type of passwords you use and will know the answer to standard security questions (e.g. your mother's maiden name).
To help the security of Talk2Dad.net, we have built in the following precautionary measures for your benefit:
• If the Dad has 3 failed attempts at accessing Talk2Dad.net (i.e. an invalid combination of family id, user name and password) the account will be locked, and an email sent to the Dad's registered email account with a secure mechanism of gaining access. It is therefore important that your registered email address is kept valid and is secure.
• If the Child has 3 failed attempts at accessing Talk2Dad.net (i.e. an invalid combination of family id, user name and password) the account will be locked, and an email sent to the Dad's registered email account notifying him of the potential breach. The Dad, upon satisfactorily validating that the account lock is a result of simple error, must unlock the Child's account through the Child Management system.
• If the Dad forgets their password, he must use the Contact Talk2Dad.net link on the site and email Talk2Dad.net specifying an Enquiry Type of “Forgotten Password”. Talk2Dad.net will respond and will require a satisfactory answer to the Security Question before sending the new password to the Dad's registered email address. On no account will Talk2Dad.net provide a password, new or existing, over the telephone or via an email account not registered with Talk2Dad.net.
• If a potential breach is detected by Talk2Dad.net (such as frequent, invalid access to multiple child accounts within the same Family Id) the entire family account may be locked to prevent access. In this case, an email will be sent to the Dad's registered email account with a secure mechanism of gaining access.
I have a contact order that prevents contact with my children. Can I still use Talk2Dad.net?
Talk2Dad.net is simply a mechanism that enables Dads and their children to maintain contact in difficult situations. We can not prevent our system from being used against the terms of a Contact Order, just as a telephone company can not be held responsible if a Contact Order is broken by a Dad telephoning their children. Dads with Contact Orders preventing contact with their children must take responsibility for their own actions and consequences.
The information about registered Talk2Dad.net users and their content is never released to any third parties under any circumstances. Dads should, however, be aware that some form of contact with their children will be required initially to notify the children of their access details (initial password etc.) to Talk2Dad.net.
Do I have to have Broadband or can I use Talk2Dad.net with dialup internet connection?
As with any website, the faster the connectivity the faster uploads and downloads of files can occur. Talk2Dad.net can easily be used on dialup internet connectivity with no significant difference from broadband, however, users must bear in mind the connectivity speeds of other users within the family when uploading large pictures or files to share. Some photographs and files can be very large in size, which can be slow to display or download by a user on a dialup connection. If users within the family group are on a dialup connection, you should consider the size of certain very large files and pictures before uploading them for other members to download. Virtually all libraries, schools and internet cafes are already using broadband connectivity.
I do not have an email account. Can I still use Talk2Dad.net?
The registered Dad on Talk2Dad.net requires an email account. This is the secure mechanism that we contact you with access information etc. after you register with Talk2Dad.net. You can very simply create your own free email account by going to www.hotmail.com or a similar email provider. Providers such as Hotmail enable you to access your emails from libraries and internet cafes, just as Talk2Dad.net does. You should create an email account prior to registering for Talk2Dad.net, and ensure you keep access details of your email secure just as you should with Talk2Dad.net.
My children don't have email accounts, can they still use Talk2Dad.net?
Your children do not need email accounts or passports to use Talk2Dad.net. Our system has been designed to enable children of any ages to access Talk2Dad.net and use all of the functionality from any internet connection (such as a school or library).
I don't know anything about creating web pages. Will I really be able to use Talk2Dad.net to create web pages?
Talk2Dad.net genuinely is simple to use. As an example, to create a web page, you simply click on “Create Page” then pick from one of twelve web page templates. The template guides you through a very simple process of entering web page text and pictures. When you click “Submit”, your new web page is displayed in the layout your chose with the content you entered. If you want to make changes you simply click “Update Page” and are guided through the same template screen as when you created the web page. As long as you have a basic grasp of navigating your way around the internet using the mouse, there are no functions of Talk2Dad.net that you will not be able to operate. At any time, you can press the Help link and receive additional guidance, and you can always use the “Contact Talk2Dad.net” link to seek personal assistance and guidance.
Our system has been tested by very inexperienced adult users, and inexperienced child users from the age of 5. Children under 5 often have little or no exposure to computers at their school and may find any internet system harder to operate simply through lack of exposure to computers.
What is the Talk2Dad.net instant messaging system, and how does it work?
Talk2Dad.net has its own, custom built, instant messaging system. There are several instant messaging systems (often called “chat” systems) on the internet, but they all require software downloads and cookies to be installed on the user's computer. Talk2Dad.net's instant messaging is different. Our system knows who is online, and our menu system clearly shows you if other members of your family are online. As an example, if you are the Dad and are logged into Talk2Dad.net, when your son Tom logs onto Talk2Dad.net, the menu system shows Tom with a 
symbol, signifying that he is online. By clicking Tom's name, you will invite Tom to an instant messaging session. Tom will have a bright red invitation appear on his screen, and when he clicks the invitation both he and his Dad will enter the real-time chat session.
Once in the session, both parties can type messages to each other, all of which will appear on both user's screens. To end the session, either party can simply close the window of the session that pops up on their screen.
Likewise, when your son Tom is online, he will see the “Talk2Dad Now “ symbol if his Dad is online. If Tom clicks this link, a bright red invitation will appear on his Dad's screen, and when his Dad clicks the invitation both he and Tom will enter the real-time chat session.
By using the secure mail system within Talk2Dad.net, Dads and their children can pre-arrange a set time when both parties can be online to enable them to have an instant message chat.
Why does Talk2dad.net have its own mail system?
It is largely true that most children do not have email accounts. It is also common that, if children do have email accounts, their custodial parents frequently access and read their emails. In addition, it is important that Talk2Dad.net delivers a full and complete set of functionality to support distant Fathers in their quest to maintain a loving relationship from a distance with their Children.
The Talk2Dad.net internal mail system operates just like an email system, but the messages never leave the Talk2Dad.net system. A Dad can mail his children and the children can mail their Dad securely from within Talk2Dad.net. The system enables users to format their mails using different fonts and colours, and encourages the Dad and his Children to maintain regular contact and keep in touch with what is happening in each others lives.
I like the idea of Talk2Dad.net, but I'm worried we'll get bored and stop using it.
Talk2Dad.net features an internal mail system, and instant messaging/chat system, enables Dads and all the children to share pictures and files, enables users to keep and share a diary and create and share exciting web pages with each other.
Talk2Dad.net is simply a mechanism for Dads and children to maintain contact – you need to make the effort to make your distant relationship work.
Some ideas that Talk2Dad.net is used for include:
• Writing stories and plays (Dad starts the story in the mail system and sends it to his child, then his child writes chapter 2 and returns it, then Dad writes chapter 3 and returns it etc.).
• Working on projects together (one party creates a presentation, slideshow or document about any subject and uploads it to Talk2Dad.net. The other party can then add pictures and words, thoughts and ideas, and upload their changes to Talk2Dad.net. The process can repeat, and can be used for homework projects, personal projects or simply distance learning and teaching between a Dad and his children).
• Sharing pictures (not just photographs, but children and Dad can draw pictures in products like Paintbrush and upload them to Talk2Dad.net). You can also search the internet for pictures, cartoons etc. and share your findings with each other.
• Creating web pages on given subjects – perhaps challenging your children to create web pages on events in history, or on their week at school, or on a school trip etc. Create web pages on football, or on how to play rugby or cricket, use internet searches to get pictures and suggestions etc. to upload to Talk2Dad.net.
• Keeping a diary – it's true that the majority of people don't keep a diary, but you will be truly amazed at what simply typing a paragraph a day on your thoughts, your feelings, what changed in a day, and your love for each other can do to help you personally (in terms of dealing with separation from your loved ones) and importantly how your children can grow to feel how you feel and build their love and understanding for you from a distance.
• Just talking to your children in the mails, in web pages, in your diary and on the instant messaging makes a huge, huge difference to your children. Their life is tough being separated from you, and your life feels even tougher. Even if you just touch base a few times a week and see what you each are feeling, it will make an impact that will last for many years.
The question isn't “Will I get bored with Talk2Dad.net”. The question is “Do I believe, in this time of heart-wrenching separation, that making an effort for my children is something that I want and need to do for their own good as well as my own”.
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