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While one of your main objectives on your gap year is getting away from it all, there are probably going to be people at home who will want to know everything is alright or at least know what you're getting up to!
The internet is obviously the best way to keep in touch with people at home, or friends you meet along the way.
Online
Most people will have a Facebook, Myspace, Bebo or Twitter account but if you've somehow managed to avoid these global crazes, now might be a good time to get one. They are an easy way of updating family and friends and uploading photographs. One idea is to create a group for friends to join and then send updates about their travels while others prefer the traditional group email. If you're a keen photographer, sign up to a photo sharing site like Flikr where you can upload unlimited photographs of your trip.
Skype
You can sign up for free video messaging accounts on Sykpe's website which can be used at any internet café. For those with a webcam you can even make video calls. You can buy headsets with a microphone to plug into the headphone socket of the computer and talk away for as long as your heart desires- or as long as you paid for the internet.
Phonecards
You will be able to buy international phone cards in most countries that can be used on payphones but if you are planning on staying somewhere more remote you'll soon discover that payphones are a little hard to come by.
Mobile Phones
Another option is bringing an old mobile phone that wouldn't bother you if it got broken/lost/eaten by baboons. Alternatively, you can now buy cheap, basic phones from most phone shops that if you make sure they are unlocked, can be used with any SIM card. If you are settled in one country for a long time, it's a good idea to buy one of their SIM cards. It's cheap, often includes deals and is ideal if you're volunteering a bit further from civilisation since you can always be in contact with someone.
Check out Country Calling Codes for the area codes you'll need to call home from wherever in the world you end up.
Blogs
If you are a budding travel writer, why not check out some of the many free blogs that are available on the internet? Sign up for an account, give the address to friends and family and you can post as often as you like.
Sites like TravelBlog or TravelPod are designed for backpackers and let you upload unlimited photographs and videos and even create a route map to show people where you're off to next. It also becomes a nice interactive journal to help you reminisce when you get home! And once you are registered, you can read other people's blogs who are travelling in the same country or read through the message boards and maybe pick up some tips!