Skype has launched "The Skype Nomad", an attempt to create a live, worldwide, human demonstration of how the software program can be used anywhere while on the move.  The company has recruited Australian writer Rebecca Campbell as "The Nomad" to embark on a 33-day round-the-world trip across 15 countries including China, Australia, US (including the state of Alaska), Italy and Estonia.

She must remain in "perpetual motion" for her entire journey – always moving, even when sleeping.  She will also need to use as many forms of transport as possible to complete her journey, from planes, trains and automobiles to hot air balloons, dog sleds and bum boats. 

Campbell will share her trip live on the internet as she travels, using a variety of Skype-enabled gadgets from 3 Skypephone to the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. Her blog will include the latest queue-jumping tips, how to keep moving when waiting to board an aircraft or when stuck in a traffic jam.   

"This is a great way to show people how easy it is to use Skype wherever they happen to be. Our Nomad has to keep moving for a long time.  Her journey is the equivalent of how long it takes to run 200 full marathons and the only downtime she will have is when she’s on a flight or some form of transport that keeps her moving," says Malthe Sigurdsson, Skype’s creative director. 

Skype has teamed up with international disability and development charity Motivation, which works in low-income countries to enhance the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities.

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