Why dont you try ReactOS? It's similar to windoze. It is still only at v0.2.9 but it has a lot of compatibility with Windows XP. Not sure if the dialer will work with it but no harm trying, right? And the ISO is just a few MBs ( 10-20MB I think ).
Sounds like worth a try.
I had forgotten to mention this earlier but PCQuest had carried an article about getting IE6 ( or was it 5.5 ) working with WINE. If you are sucessfull in getting IE working with WINE then you can use MTNL's web dialer that you mentioned.
I think I need to give Wine a serious try with a cooler head once more :) I'm sure I may have missed out on a few details.
Why dont you write to them regarding this? I am sure specs arent IP, are they? It might just help them get a more usable dialer at $0 :)
Done that on MTNL's website (bol.net.in). Awaiting their response. Also had a long chat with the Tata indicom CC. He tried to sell the Windoze dialer to me saying that it will work on any OS... God alone knows what he was basing it on because he surely didn't mention wine ;-)
There's also an interesting review on skype (kicked myself for not noticing skype) on the PLUG list here:
http://www.plug.org.in/pipermail/plug-mail/2005-April/015025.html
Best thing is that they have a dialer for Linux :)
Thanks, Siddhesh