There are some interesting new devices that allow you to connect a normal telephone to your PC and route the call through skype. I have found solutions for windows but not for linux. Anyone had any success?

[seems I'm not allowed to post links! google for "phoneconnector" and "internet phone wizard" by actiontec ]

Thanks for any pointers.
z.

The CuPhone has a Linux driver available, and works with Skype.

Thanks for the pointer macemoneta, this looks like just the thing. However, before placing an order, I tried to compile the tjusb driver against my 2.6.5 kernel and failed miserably. The makefile has paths to 2.4 kernel includes, which may be a clue. Have you (or anyone else) got it working for a 2.6.* kernel? Is there a forum/mailing list where the driver is maintained?
z.

Personally, I switched from Skype to SIPphone. My reasons are:

- It's an open, standards-based protocol,
- There are compatible clients for Linux (I use linphone, open source), Windows, and Mac,
- You can call a SIP phone from a cell/land-line by connecting through a gateway number,
- Calling from SIP to cell/POTS is now also supported, by purchasing minutes (like SkypeOut),
- Toll free POTS calls are free,
- Free voice mail on missed calls,
- Free automatic call forwarding to multiple SIP numbers,
- Interoperability with the Asterisk open source PBX,
- Peering with IPTEL, EDGTEL, FWD, etc.; an increasing number of SIP service providers.

Hardware interfaces are available at the SIPphone web site, and are OS independent.

I think Skype's proprietary protocol and clients will hurt them in the long run. They simply won't be able to provide compatibility with all the applications and implementations that people dream up.