Free phone calls?

[john_miller]

I know next to nothing about computers but this was mentioned on this weeks World Business Report on the beeb's World Service:
http://www.skype.com/
Apparently it's business model is the same as Google's making the basic service free with other premium services being charged for. Any views from those with more knowledge?

[gavin]

Personally, John, I wouldn't touch skype with a barge-pole; I believe it's the same people as "gave us" Kazaa - great for downloading music, viruses, spyware, etc etc etc;  and a firewall which deliberately leaves "open doors" for their own manipulations.

But - maybe I'm overly cynical?  Perhaps somebody has good experience of them?

All best - Gavin