I surely like the idea with the dual skype account, especially since you can load the skype client also on a smart phone or iphone. Here is my solution, not as cheap but energy sufficient. Get a mini PC and install Linux, most commercial firewalls Verizon for example supplies a great firewall with their FIOS service.
Install Linux on the mini PC and connect it to the firewall, configure a DMZ and sign up for dyn DNS.
On the Linux PC you just need one service running, VSFTP to record capture streams of web cameras.
Webcams are inexpensive these days and come with wired and wireless interfaces. For each camera you'd need to setup an user ID and a home directory, thats were recorded pictures go.
On your cell phone you need only a web browser to get to the DMZ/ Linux box on your firewall. once connected all cameras can be monitord and recorded pictures can be viewed via cell phone or PC from anywhere. It is important to configure the security settings and make sure you use SSL and strong passwords. That part comes for free with Linux. I also need to mention that you can use almost any web cam on the market.
