Turning a netbook or laptop into a cellphone

[Zelenius]

How does one go about turning a netbook or portable computer into a virtual cellphone to get free(and legal) cell phone service? I don't use my cell phone that much and seldom ever have to deal with emergencies, so this seems like a good way to save money. I hear that some people do this, but how, exactly?

 

[The Norseman]

You'd run a service like Skype or Google Voice and use the laptops built-in microphone and speakers to make the call.

As long as you were connected via a wireless or wired internet connection, there would normally be no extra fee.

I had at one time paid like 99 dollars a year to have a phone number assigned to my Skype account and I was then able to treat it like any other land line.

I currently am using a free Google Voice number from which I can send/receive calls and texts as well.