Wayneburg,

Really appreciate your willingness to share the professional insights, I suspect that you may end up with a couple of PM's resulting from this thread. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

FWIW The Costco / MCI card that I described above will work internationally (at least according to the info sheets that came with it which I've no reason to doubt at this point).

[Observations made below were with the first cup of coffee this morning and muse mode in low gear, possible topic drift follows: <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ]

As far as bartering with the phone time, I understand the feelings that you expressed, many of us are perfectly willing to freely share what we can, HOWEVER it pays to look at the big picture and think outside of the box. The method that you describe appears to be entirely ethical and moral, IF one is not taking advantage of anybody, and IF the person(s) that one is bartering with agree that it is a fair exchange of goods / services, then it would seem to be entirely appropriate.

Having said that, I would qualify the statement with the observation that I am NOT in any manner suggesting that it would be appropriate to gouge someone in distress (i.e. hurricane disaster etc. Clarification: These are just my thoughts and I've no reason to believe or even infer that any of the forum members would commit gouging.)

[Edited by Comanche7 after reading Wayneburgs comment regarding ethics which is located a bit further down this thread]

I've experienced ocassions where I've helped someone and they ABSOUTELY insisted on some form of renumeration.

Since this may be or become a matter of their feelings and pride / personal honor / not wanting any debt in any form, Ive tried to be sensitive to the situation. When this has occurred, I've found that it is generally best to accept the renumeration offered, which I generally apply to the resources that I draw from the next time I help someone else... YMMV

[End Edit]

[end of topic drift and time for a second cup of coffee <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />]

Your offer of research and initiative in starting working with this thread is sincerely appreciated.

Comanche7