Long Message lost... and I tried all the tricks, but could not get it back ...

You absolutely do NOT NEED a camera, but do need a mic and speakers. With no mic you can only listen, which is fine for the sessions, I suppose :-)

Available for Win and Linux (recommended to use your appropriate version of linux package manager to get it rather than the version offered on the Skype page).

Also Pidgin - version also for Windows - has a plug in to accept Skype.

Skype charges for SMS messages, connection to non-skype phones, etc - they have to make money somehow, I suppose ...

I will pass around mudcatters skype details at the moment.

Robin