[tlug] Configuring a USB Cordless Handset for Skype (VoIP) + Home Phone

[CL <az.4tlug@example.com>]

My OS version is Kubuntu 8.10 (Irritating Insect) AMD-64

I use a Pioneer TF-FS55M-S cordless handset for both Skype and regular 
telephone -- it is a dual-purpose HID that has both a USB connection to 
my PC for Skype / other VoIP and a regular phone jack for the house 
phone.  I am phasing out all WIN use except as a VirtualBox to run a few 
essential programs in English and Japanese that there are no Kubuntu 
equivalents for and which do not run in Wine (e.g. anything using kanji 
or kana).

When running in WIN, the handset requires a Pioneer-supplied WIN driver 
and utility program (UPhone) to connect it to Skype.  Neither Pioneer 
nor its third-party software / driver supplier offer Linux support of 
any type.

So I am wondering ...

1.  Does Kubuntu / KDE / Debian offer some generic HID driver which I 
can try that will enable me to configure the VoIP / USB (HID?) portion 
of this device?  I am possibly not asking the right questions of my 
friend Google -- in E or J.

2.  Failing that, _if_ I am able to configure the WIN driver with Wine, 
am I asking for further trouble by referring the resulting program link 
to the Kubuntu version of Skype?  I don't see running a 32-bit WIN Skype 
in Wine as a viable option, either.

One other issue which has arisen is that Kubuntu recognizes the device 
and it shows up in the hardware list in Skype Options.   However "USB 
Handset" is offered as both "hw:Handset,0" and "plughw: Handset,0" ... 
and I can find nothing which tells me what the difference is between the 
two choices.  Can anyone explain?

TIA for _any_ assistance or suggestions.

--
CL