skype and other neat programs

[mechanicalbrain]

i recently came across a program called skype (www. skype.com) its a lot like any other instant message service but it has a call feature that lets you actually verbally talk to other users and actually make telephone calls though you have to pay for those calls (5 cents a min i think) anyhew you can also have conference calls (no video conferencing ). i know there are other free programs that do similar things but i was surprised by the ease of use. so the point of this thread is who knows any really cool free programs and would like to share. they can be anything.