So I asked my co-worker what could I use to make calls via my laptop (Debian) via a broadband connection for free and he suggested Skype. He said it was free until the end of the year and I can call from anywhere to anyone for free. I told him this sounds like a scam but he uses it and has had no issues except some quality.

I am going to Holland and would love to call back home to check on my dog. I know my NEXTEL wont work over there.

Anyone have any comments?

I use Skype a lot. It is free to call to another PC using Skype, but to call from Skype to an "ordinary" telephone will cost ya. You can buy Skype "credits" to use when dialing phones. For the countries I call, the price is basically the same as a local call, which is great. Sound wise it is awesome as well. I even dare to say that sometimes, it is better than calling another country from a normal phone.

If you want, you can also get a skype-number and actually receive incoming calls direct in Skype. Check skype homepage for more details and prices.

The Linux version of Skype blows though. Webcam support is not available and my calls got interrupted every 5 seconds. It could be a bug in that version I used or some configuration error, but I did not have time to debug that. To be fair though, Mac version is just as bad... or so I heard ^_^

Skype works, though the quality is not great. Please notice that **only** skype calls to another skype are free. If you call the "Plain Old Fashioned Telephone", you have to pay a reasonably small time charge - look at the Skype site for details.

When one of our grand-daughters worked in Dhaka, Bangladesh for an Australian Gov. charity organisation, I used skype to telephone her from Canberra - voice skype to skype at her home, text messaging her at work and occasionally voice call to her mobile (pre-paid in Euros). A catch is that you do need broadband for reasonable quality.

OldAl

So you're using the Windows version on a MS box? Sounds OK but sucks to bother with if I only have a Linux box. I guess it does not hurt to try it out.

That must be one heck of a dog to answer the phone.
I have used skype on ubuntu and it worked fine. They did have a deal going on until the end of the year, so you could call to a landline for free. Don't know if they still are offering it though. Also I think it was in the US and Canada only if I am not mistaken.

Thanks - installed and will test before I go.

Still using M$ for skype. If having problems w/ skype make sure each occurence is reported!
I hosted a newbie migrator skypecast for a week, had phone calls every day from people wanting to try Linux out. Many had in past, but ran into problems, encouraged to try certain distros I know worked for me, Told em all to register @ LQ, read How 2, tuts!
Russian users always said Why Linux, MS is cheap here (cost of media ~ 3 USD) Skype works on it!
MAC users are having more problems! A Macr in South Calif been unable to use much in past 6 weeks (last Mac release?) can skype, but not use S .. cast. I signed into his skypecast, talked w/ other user (linux) & I BECAME the host! Host could not sign in. Still talk & Chat with both of them at least weekly, we keep testing his cast, he can only cast w/ other Macr, no Linuxr or M$r as far as we can figure out
When ebay (Owner) sees an increase in Linuxr users they will then devote more resources to fixing their proprietary SW so Linuxr can connect easier. Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

The thing about being free till the end of this year to make calls to land-line telephones on skype is true...though..that's almost up. Also, it's only for US calls.

I don't know why no one else mentioned that here...

When you go to make a land line telephone call, just dial the number, and click call...even thoguh it says you need credits..you don't..the call shoudl go thoguh in a minute or so

I guess my post doesn't count?

If you have a pc at home you could always use either Skype or Gyach. As previously mentioned skype to skype calls are free anywhere in the world, but skype to landline/cell involves buying skype credits.

Another option would be to get a Teamspeak server.

And yet another option would be Freeworld Dialup:
FWD | Home
http://www.freeworlddialup.com/

Opps...diden't see that I'm sorry

Hmm, I never knew about freeworlddialup