Skype is now allowing its users to sign up for SkypeIn, a new service that allows you to get a phone number assigned to you your Skype account. So, for people who want to reach you by phone, they call that number from their plain-old telephone service line just like any other phone, and it rings your Skype on your computer. Numbers are available in France, Hong Kong S.A.R., China, the United Kingdom and the United States. I checked the US listings to see what area codes are available, and there are none in Oregon yet, but hopefully that will change soon.

For a while now Skype has offered SkypeOut, a service that lets Skype users make calls to the regular phone network using Skype on their computers.

This is really very cool. One of the beautiful things about skype is its ultimate portability. Put Skype on your laptop and take it with you wherever you go. Windows, Linux or Mac OS/X. Run Skype on a PocketPC with Windows Mobile and an Internet data connection, add SkypeIn and SkypeOut, and in theory you're making and receiving calls on the mobile network, but without using the mobile minutes. Hmmmm.

Of course, don't forget the high quality voice audio you get with Skype. And the ability to have your "phone" rind with one number in multiple places.

This whole VoIP, Skype, digital communication thing is getting more and more interesting...