Video chat optoins

[C4CRVT]

What's the best option for video chatting? I have an old(ish- 4-5 years old) work computer that runs on windows. It's a work computer and I will need to get the IT dude from my office to install whatever I want on the laptop. OR I can use my Noika Lumia 900 which apparently won't run skype.
 
This is to chat with my kids who live most of the time with their mom. I think they have skype.
 
I'm not really very computer savvy so speak slowly and in simple words for me

 

[brs3]

Does the laptop have a camera? I've used Google Hangout extensively for the last 2 years. It has worked everywhere, and does a great job for basic video conferencing.

 

[cardiacs]

I use Skype and Google Hangout almost every day for video chats. Google Hangout seems to be best for now, because you don't need to download anything, and you can have several people in the chat at once. With Skype you need to pay to have multiple participants. One of my clients also uses Microsoft Lync - I don't really see any upside to it over G+. 

 

[Max Power]

Lync is your own on-premises server that can be a complete VOIP solution for a company. It's not something your average home user would ever run into.
 
To answer the original question, just install Skype (or go to Outlook.com and install the Skype plug-in) on your work computer and chat with your kids. These services wouldn't have millions of users if it was hard to get up and running.