[Excaliber]

To get the "good stuff" with Skype it's not free, but it is very cost effective. I'm thinking of getting a low minute local cell phone plan (dang two year contract) and using Skype around the house as my primary phone. I'm retired now, don't get or make a lot of calls anyway and generally I'm around the house most of the time. I think it's a great solution for me.

Working outside, in the garage, the blue tooth connection idea may be just the ticket.

I'm looking into call forwarding to my cell from Skype as well, another pay for service "add on". Erratic service? It's been a 100% reliable for me in several states and several months now.