Skype is a popular VoIP (Voice over IP) client for Windows, Mac, Linux, and PocketPC. Previously it let you make phone calls to people across the internet for free. You could also pay a small fee to make calls to landline phones/cell phones/international calls. Things have changed though: just a couple days ago Skype announced free SkypeOut through at least the end of this year. That means any calls to anyone in the US or Canada from Skype is FREE.

Now this is all fine and awesome until you realize that there seems to be a bug with SkypeOut. If your external IP address falls between 70.x.x.x through 79.x.x.x, you’re out of luck. For some reason, SkypeOut doesn’t work in these IP ranges. Otherwise if your IP is not within that range, the entire US/Canada phone system is now at your fingertips. Prank call away!

Oh, by the way, my IP address is 72.x.x.x. Damnit Time Warner Cable and your wretched 72.x.x.x IP address and ridiculous costs for cable TV that sucks (SERIOUSLY, why WOULDN’T you include G4/TechTV with your basic package?!?!?).

More updates as this story develops…

~Jaker

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