rage against the machines

think I am the most technologically challenged person ever!
Finally managed to set up this Skype thingy to make internet calls to Australia, but because my speakers don't seem to be working, spent the whole time shouting, "hello? hello? can you hear me??" down the little mic to my son (who could hear me loud and clear) but with nothing coming back at me, so hardly the most successful of conversations. To make it even worse, I also bought a cheap (I know, I know - false economy) webcam from Argos, but the image it produces is a total blur, which therefore makes it utterly useless. Great. Makes me want to kick something...