skype on SLC4

Tried to install skype on SLC4.
Can only get the latest version (2.0.0.72) from skype.com (cannot find older versions around).
Download the statically linked package from http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-static
Unpack in /usr/local/share/skype; it complains about

/skype: /usr/lib/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.4' not found

Need more recent stdc++ library (using gcc version 3.4.6 from /usr/bin/gcc);
get gcc-4.2.1 from http://gcc.gnu.org. Then configure; make; make install.
Change the symbolyc link so that it points to the new library

/usr/lib/libstdc++.so.6 -> /usr/local/lib/libstdc++.so.6.0.9

Now skype starts without much complaining. I can hear sounds, but
cannot speak. Kill artsd (don't know, might not be the problem),
change settings with alsamixer. Then from the skype settings switch
from the default audio device to the 4th one (otherwise
"Call Failed: Problem with Audio Playback" ).
Now it seems to work (can hear my voice back during test call), but I might
have to adjust the mic volume.

Note: set audio device different from the default one for input/output/ringing, not only for output