Just read on Lifehacker that Skype is offering its SkypeOut service, which allows you to make VoIP calls to a landline, free of charge until the end of 2006. Sadly, the offer is only good for calls placed and received in the USA or Canada, but for those folks this is fabulous news and a great excuse to check out Skype, if you haven’t already.

Another good reason is the new SkypeCast feature, which is currently in the preview stage. SkypeCasts are big hosted, public conference calls of up to 100 people that anyone with the Skype client can host for free. You can host SkypeCasts on any topic, but they are public calls, so they will be directory-listed and open to anyone. As host, you can choose open discussion or a one-way broadcast (with the ability to “pass the mic” to others), which opens up a variety of ways to do teleconferencing on the cheap. I’ve had good experiences with SkypeCasts so far and hope to see some librarians take advantage.