The popular VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, Skype has enjoyed rapid growth in the past few years and is eclipsing the growth of traditional international long distance providers. With more than 660 million users, and more than 40 million online at any time, Skype is dominating the international calling market. But perhaps the most interesting news about the VoIP service, and the reason Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, is that the service's large-and-growing user base is utilizing the service in new and innovative ways. From connecting classrooms around the world to changing the way companies interview job candidates to giving patients in remote areas access to health care, Skype is helping connect the world in surprisingly modern ways.