I got to test Skype tonight. It really works.

I called my friend John - he was finally there. We had some feedback because he was running with a mic that was picking up his computer speakers, and I had the BCS Championship Game on the TV, which was picked up by my mic, but it was an satisfying experience overall.

Despite our external distractions, the sound quality was excellent, and latency (the time between when I talked and he heard) was negligible. And it was completely free.

E is very interested in this tech. John says five people can enter a conference call at a time, too.

I'm sold (as if I have paid anything).

Skype offers the ability to call telco landlines. I'll test that next.