Don't forget Skypein calls can be forwarded -via Skypeout- to a phone anywhere in the world.

Good reminder. I forward my Verizon wireless to my Skype in, then forward the Skype number to my Orange SIM's number when I am in the UK for instance. Cheap international forwarding.

You might also consider picking up a MagicJack for $39 w/1 year service. I know people either love it or hate it but so far I've had good luck using it for calls back to the US from: Japan, Australia, France & Ireland. Most folks use an external telephone, but I prefer to use the dongle-less softphone implementation using the netbook's speaker & mike for portability.

The good: 1) You get your own phone # in pretty much any US area code. When someone wants to call you they just dial the US #. More than likely you won't have the computer on when they call so it takes a message as well as e-mailing you a .wav file. 2) You can direct outward dial to cell phones, 800 numbers, etc. I dislike leaving my computer on at home 24/7 just to receive an inbound Skype.

The bad: 1) They could go out of business tomorrow and you're sol. 2) It's pretty crappy if you don't have about 60 Kb/s or so of bandwidth.

Anyway just another tool in the arsenal.

Another tool in the arsenal is Skype on a stick.

Scroll down to "kevster"

http://forum.skype.com/lofiversion/i...hp/t74729.html

I've been carrying Skype in my pocket (apologies to The Monks) going on five years.

Alternatively, what do you (anyone) think of a USB Skype Memory Phone such as this http://www.von-phone.com/usb_skype_memory_phone.php one?

I guess it depends on what you typically carry. I almost always have a computer of some sorts, so it is easier to just use its built in speaker and mic or carry a compact USB or bluetooth headset. I use a speakerphone or a WiFi skype phone in my office, but on the road it is my computer or iPhone. I dont see the need for the extra device. If you traveled without a computer it might make sense.

No, it won't make any sense.

If you don't have a computer with you, you cannot make this USB phone work.

OTOH, there are other stand-alone Skype phones that can operate without any computer. Check out Skype Shops for some suggestions.

Um, Im actually aware of that I assumed it was for public computers, like the Skype on a USB.

The problem with the standalone WiFi ones is that they wont work where you have to log into the WiFi hotspot. So mine works fine in my office or house, where I can enter the wep (maybe wpa2 - not sure I remember correctly) key but at a Starbucks or something with WiFi that you need to log in on, it wont work. The Skype for iPhone/iPod Touch works great on sites that you need to log in for, however.

I'm sure old news to most of you, but Skype was just sold by EBay. Even though I knew it had been bought by EBay a few years ago, the news article still made me think, "wait, Skype was owned by EBay?!"

I never truly understood the synergistic benefit of VOIP married to on-line auctions. At a $2.75B sale after a $3.1B purchase, perhaps nobody else did, either...

Oh well. I still have it loaded on my cellphone for when I travel overseas...

ebay almost got it right, methinks.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/09/01...ok-with-skype/

Okay, if EBay never actually paid $4.1B for Skype (the article claims more like $3.1B before writedowns) then the net-net seems to be okay or even mildly positive for EBay. Seems like a different conclusion.

I wonder, though, if EBay could have invested that same chunk of change in improving their core business and competancy, how much better it could be [the answer, of course, may well be "not at all"]? And was Skype at all improved by nesting under the EBay banner...?

I prefer prepaid SIM cards. Prepaid calling cards require you to go out and find a public phone to make the calls. Payphones are increasingly more difficult to find and the level maintenance when you do is pretty bad. I've seen more pay phones with missing handsets than ever before. Twenty years ago, people might have used the handsets for something. Today? I've seen phones so grimy I wouldn't want to hold the handset, let alone put it to my appear. Calling FROM a hotel phone isn't an option. In my experience, most European hotels gouge on local calls. Having someone call you back in your hotel room is a different story. That, however, requires scheduling and planning.

I just got back from a six country trip. Except for Russia, everything was in the EU. I used a roaming SIM in a Nokia E66 with VOIP and bought an $8 subscription to Boingo's global PDA plan. I had VOIP coverage throughout downtown Stockholm, huge pieces of Copenhagen, at Schipol, at a number of spots in Helsinki. in a number of train stations, and coffee shops.

The advice about hotel internet is absolutely correct. The Copenhagen Hilton wanted $30 a night for internet and this is far from rare.

The commentator about VOIP and internet sticks is absolutely correct. I've found that even SIP VOIP (the common kind) works fine on most 3g networks. I had a Vodafone SIM and a 3g phone. On my last day with 15 euros left to blow, I tried a VOIP over 3g call from Stockholm and it worked great. Since it was roaming data, it wasn't the best deal, but Voda has the best roaming data rates in Europe now that 3 Like Home has closed down.

One last point about Skype, the people you want to call need to sign up for free accounts.

Stu

PS: I really wish that Skype was again owned by the Estonians. It was a much better program and service when it was run by Eastern Europeans who were irreverent than a US corporation concerned with pleasing the FCC and China.