alan, jls,
Thank you so much for your assistance. I have alsa (really needed that sleep 4 as you suggested) and the skype version you provided working now. Initial skype testing seems OK. Possibly some voice quality issues on my transmission. I probably need to play with the alsa mic settings some more, but at least it works. Incoming voice quality is fine.
Thanks hugely, once again.
Now, I am free to go obsess about something else.
Best regards,
sci_fi