my parents are using skype. i sent them skype wireless phone (cost ranges from $80- $300) which can be hooked up to a router directly (no need to open a computer) .it's more like a home phone for them. i am paying 3 bucks per month so that they can call me anytime on my cell phone or my home phone or anybody in united states and canada. if i need to call them, i use my laptop to make a connection with skype software. i could pay another 3 bucks to get a phone number for that skype phone so that i can call them from my cell phone directly but  i didn't feel necessary.  i think this is a good setup if you don't want a hassle to open your computer. i think my parents are very satisfied with skype. the connection is very good without any echo or voice lag and it connects very fast like land line. so far it's good.