“Sorry, I can’t hear you”
Skype on Linux on my ThinkPad T42p running Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy) works great for Skype to Skype, but every call to an “ordinary phone” ends when it begins with the person on the other end telling me they can’t hear me.
“Can you hear me know?”
SkypeOut on Windows works well, though I did have to adjust up the microphone and headset volume a little the first time. I dislike being forced to use Microsoft Windows, but there does not currently seem to be a Linux alternative.
There is an unlimited calling offer to Canada and USA special for $15.00 US for the year ending tomorrow which I have just signed up for. Last year it was a free promotion likely triggered by being acquired by Ebay.
A Cork entrepreneur recently launched allfreecalls which might be of interest, especially as you can use Internet free dialing programs to use it – http://blog.roam4free.ie/how-to-use-allfreecalls-from-anywhere-in-the-world-totally-free/
You’ll have to fire up Windows in a vmware session probably because I couldn’t find a Linux or Mac client that makes free US calls. Still, it might be worth looking into?