[1zq]

I would really, really love to activate two-factor authentication for my Gmail account, but Google requires me to have a phone number as a backup in case I lose my phone, and I don't live in one of the countries supported by Google for the backup phone numbers.

I hope they expand the list of allowed countries for backup phone numbers soon, including support for the "less important" countries like mine. Or else allow activation of two-factor auth for people who agree to have only the list of printed one-time codes for entry and no backup phone number. Preferably the former.

[peteretep]

I just turned it on on my account now, and I was able to skip the phone number step.

[buro9]

I used Skype-In for this.

I live in the UK, but only own a mobile nowadays. So I used a local Skype number for things like this.

Just never let that number expire. And now your Skype account needs a phonemenally complex password too.