Free Skype Phone service for the rest of the years!! Options

[Big P]

Ok guy and gal this is really FREE USA AND CANADA ONLY. Download the 2.5beta
http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/skype25beta.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060515/tc_nm/...s_skype_free_dc


This works with existing and new accounts.

You may need the latest version of the software (version 2 from website or the 2.5 beta) for this to work.

Despite the message at bottom of screen on skype accounts with no credit about "you need to buy skypeout credit to call standard phone numbers" you DO NOT NEED TO! IGNORE THE MESSAGE.

Just type the number at bottom box, DON'T CLICK THE BUTTON AT TOP THAT SAYS CALL PHONES!! This doesn't work for the free calls!

Use +1xxxyyyzzzz format to dial (the beta doesn't need the +1 part)
It works to call alaska, and presumably hawaii.

Headsets:
You can use USB, bluetooth, or normal (two plugs, one that goes into speaker plug and one that goes into microphone plug) headsets, or any other kind of headsets that interface with your computer. Its a matter of personal choice, your situation, and how much you want to spend. I use my normal non USB headset that I use in games like CS or DoD. Aren't the xbox headsets USB? If there's XP drivers for that, they should work too.

This only works from within the USA/canada. It may be possible to use an IP proxy to work around this though. There's lists of proxies on the net, google can find them. It may be possible to use the built in options in skype and put in a proxy there, or it may be nessasary to use a 3rd party program to intercept the stuff and use the proxy. Someone mentioned a program called "Hide IP Platinum" I've never used it and dont know exactly what it does, but you can google it up and find out.


Troubleshooting:
For anyone who cant get this to work and keeps getting messages about needing to buy skypeout credit:
The evidence is piling up and pointing to the problem being IP ranges and figuring out if its in USA or not. At the moment it looks like all IP's in the range of 70.xxx.xxx.xxx to 79.xxx.xxx.xxx (first number starts with 70 through 79) have issues (because skype thinks you are outside the USA).
http://www.whatismyip.com to find out your IP.
If thats the problem, skype should be fixing it up fairly shortly if they are on top of things.
But you'll probably need to let them know the problem and IP's that are the problem. Click on HELP, report a problem, and mention it. Category should probably be under FREE US/CANADA calling.

If you think it might be an issue with ports or firewalls or routers or port forwarding or anything similar, try calling an 800 number. For example, 1-800-555-1212. Its the toll free directory assistance number and is a free call for anyone. If it works, its NOT a problem with ports/firewall/router. Its probably something with the IP range as detailed above.

If you get a message about someone not accepting unidentifed calls, this is something thats normally setup with the phone company to prevent telemarketing. They will need to call the phone company to remove that, or else you are SOL in calling that number with skype. Generally getting your number on the national do not call list should take care of most telemarketers.

If you have skypeout credit and want to make sure that the calls are not being deducted from your balance, goto the skype website, Pick "your account" at top, and then sign in. Then click CALL LIST from the left. If it shows calls being charged as "0.000" then it worked and its free for you. If it is showing anything else, then you need to file a problem report as mentioned above, I suggest picking billing for category.

[HammaTime]

Mac users will be glad to know that Skype has a great version for OS X.

The free calling within US and Canada has been promised to last through next January, but some analysts are predicting the calls will continue to be free.

Amazingly, Netgear is producing a phone that will enable you to use Skype service at any WiFi hotspot to make or receive calls for free! That would be incredible in a city that has rolled out free WiFi for the entire city - basically a free cell phone with absolutely no monthly service fees.