Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
I don't know about Skype on Linux, but Skype for Asterisk is (almost) gone - I figured it might interest some folks here: http://blogs.digium.com/2011/05/26/skype-for-asterisk-end-of-sale-july-26-2011/ -- Oleg Goldshmidt | p...@goldshmidt.org ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On 16 May 2011 02:02, Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.org wrote: On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 6:07 PM, Constantine Shulyupin co...@makelinux.co.il wrote: A new article about Linux Skype alternatives: Bye Bye Skype, Top 3 Free Replacements: http://ostatic.com/blog/bye-bye-skype-top-3-free-replacements Unfortunately, I don't see anything there that satisfies _any_ of the three requirements I posted earlier in this thread. Even before that - I've tried some of these SIP-based voice programs on and off for a few years now and they *never* just work (let alone work) where as Skype is just a plug a play and voice clear as a whistle from the first time I used it in ~2003. The key issue, as far as I can tell, is that 99.999% of the networks today are on the Internet behind NAT so you need something which can traverse both sides and still manage to stream audio/video both ways (i.e. can punch through NAT in both sides but does NOT depend on a central remote server to have enough bandwidth to stream all traffic of all the calls on its network, which is exactly the problem Skype solved). Absolutely none of these (including the ones in the list Constantine provided) manage to do as much as a simple echo back call to a SIP service. You can say I don't know a thing about SIP (and I'll agree), but if I can't set this up after spending an awful lot of time trowling support forums and reading howto's then how do you expect your average Windows layman to set this up? Even more so - guys in my workplace who claim to have experience setting up SIP and none-Skype voip exchanges still have trouble setting up simple connections between our Sydney and San Francisco offices. You can claim that it's their fault but my point is that SIP (which is what all these solutions relay on) is just still too hard to use. Skype solved a very complex problem very well and until you manage to come up with something which looks at the VoIP issue at a completely different way from SIP's central office way which addresses the NAT issue you are not going to compete with them. --Amos ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On May 16, 2011, at 1:44 PM, Amos Shapira wrote: Even before that - I've tried some of these SIP-based voice programs on and off for a few years now and they *never* just work (let alone work) where as Skype is just a plug a play and voice clear as a whistle from the first time I used it in ~2003.. I've used (not on Linux, but they do exist there) X-lite, Zoiper and Voix (IAX only) and they work easily. You can not connect a SIP client to another SIP client, there has to be something in the middle. If you have firewalls in the way, you also need a SIP Proxy, (aka Stunnel server). SIP uses different ports for setting up and controlling a session and the actual voice data, and most people never quite get that right. (It's not easy with 2 firewalls, NAT, etc). Even more so - guys in my workplace who claim to have experience setting up SIP and none-Skype voip exchanges still have trouble setting up simple connections between our Sydney and San Francisco offices. You can claim that it's their fault but my point is that SIP (which is what all these solutions relay on) is just still too hard to use. That's barking up the wrong tree as it were. Asterisk systems with IAX trunking will do the job and can be set up easily. SIP is much more difficult. You are right though, if you already have a Skype ID and a copy installed on your system, you could call someone in another office in a few seconds. You can also do voice conference, video calls and now (if you pay for a premium account) video conferences. All with a minimum of effort and almost no skill. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, N3OWJ/4X1GM Occam's Razor does not apply to electronics. If something won't turn on, it's not likely to be the power switch. ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
A new article about Linux Skype alternatives: Bye Bye Skype, Top 3 Free Replacements: http://ostatic.com/blog/bye-bye-skype-top-3-free-replacements -- Constantine Shulyupin http://www.MakeLinux.co.il/ Embedded Linux Systems, Device Drivers, TI DaVinci ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 6:07 PM, Constantine Shulyupin co...@makelinux.co.il wrote: A new article about Linux Skype alternatives: Bye Bye Skype, Top 3 Free Replacements: http://ostatic.com/blog/bye-bye-skype-top-3-free-replacements Unfortunately, I don't see anything there that satisfies _any_ of the three requirements I posted earlier in this thread. :-( -- Oleg Goldshmidt | o...@goldshmidt.org ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
Have you checked this list: http://directory.fsf.org/category/tel/ On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 7:02 PM, Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.org wrote: On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 6:07 PM, Constantine Shulyupin co...@makelinux.co.il wrote: A new article about Linux Skype alternatives: Bye Bye Skype, Top 3 Free Replacements: http://ostatic.com/blog/bye-bye-skype-top-3-free-replacements Unfortunately, I don't see anything there that satisfies _any_ of the three requirements I posted earlier in this thread. :-( -- Oleg Goldshmidt | o...@goldshmidt.org -- Constantine Shulyupin http://www.MakeLinux.co.il/ Embedded Linux Systems, Device Drivers, TI DaVinci ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
The main problem is how you can convince windows user to install one of these programs (one that is cross platform) when they are used to skype that works without problems . Is there any program that will work with skype ad they won't feel it? I know I tried to convince my brother to use ekiga which is cross platform. And in the end, the antivirus said it has virus. On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 11:24 PM, Constantine Shulyupin co...@makelinux.co.il wrote: Have you checked this list: http://directory.fsf.org/category/tel/ On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 7:02 PM, Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.org wrote: On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 6:07 PM, Constantine Shulyupin co...@makelinux.co.il wrote: A new article about Linux Skype alternatives: Bye Bye Skype, Top 3 Free Replacements: http://ostatic.com/blog/bye-bye-skype-top-3-free-replacements Unfortunately, I don't see anything there that satisfies _any_ of the three requirements I posted earlier in this thread. :-( -- Oleg Goldshmidt | o...@goldshmidt.org -- Constantine Shulyupin http://www.MakeLinux.co.il/ Embedded Linux Systems, Device Drivers, TI DaVinci ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
One day I was poking around my desktop and found that Ekiga had come preinstalled. I fired it up and was dutifully impressed with all the new and exciting features they promoted. (This was about 3 versions ago). I liked that it loaded up the first time quickly and seamlessly, and walked me through getting my very own free SIP address. Then when I tried actually using it I discovered to my chagrin that everybody I know uses Skype. My account is still around somewhere, and probably still active, but I have nothing that I can do with it. Maybe people will migrate from Skype, but maybe not. On Sat, May 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM, Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.orgwrote: Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.org writes: - my friends and family having an account on the service to stay in touch for free - seamless integration into Linux+Android - cheap (compared to any special offer I have ever received from long-distance providers) international calls to phones, especially mobile phones, from any country (OK, Europe+N.America+Israel as primary targets) to any other country. If anyone has suggestions, I am curious. Time to invest development effort into something like ekiga on Android? How GNOMEish is it? Does anyone use it? I realize that out of the 3 requirements above the 1st is unlkely to ever be satisfied, at least until the Android part of the 2nd is done, but what about the 3rd one right now? Does it work? What are the prices like? Not that I am ready to drop Skype tomorrow, but what *are* the potential alternatives? -- Oleg Goldshmidt | p...@goldshmidt.org ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
2011/5/14 Mordecha Behar mordecha.be...@mail.huji.ac.il One day I was poking around my desktop and found that Ekiga had come preinstalled. I fired it up and was dutifully impressed with all the new and exciting features they promoted. (This was about 3 versions ago). I liked that it loaded up the first time quickly and seamlessly, and walked me through getting my very own free SIP address. Then when I tried actually using it I discovered to my chagrin that everybody I know uses Skype. My account is still around somewhere, and probably still active, but I have nothing that I can do with it. Maybe people will migrate from Skype, but maybe not. Actually ekiga is one of the more popular providers that have a sipbroker.com integration. the result you can call some free 800 (US) numbers directly from your sip account, and any of your friends that use a provider that use sipbroker. On Sat, May 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM, Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.orgwrote: Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.org writes: - my friends and family having an account on the service to stay in touch for free - seamless integration into Linux+Android - cheap (compared to any special offer I have ever received from long-distance providers) international calls to phones, especially mobile phones, from any country (OK, Europe+N.America+Israel as primary targets) to any other country. If anyone has suggestions, I am curious. Time to invest development effort into something like ekiga on Android? How GNOMEish is it? Does anyone use it? I realize that out of the 3 requirements above the 1st is unlkely to ever be satisfied, at least until the Android part of the 2nd is done, but what about the 3rd one right now? Does it work? What are the prices like? Not that I am ready to drop Skype tomorrow, but what *are* the potential alternatives? -- Oleg Goldshmidt | p...@goldshmidt.org ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
Yes, but the unique features are not available on linux anyhow (such as multi person video chatting). Skype is also very easy and comfortable to configure. I've been trying to find a good opensource replacement on linux for years now:( I found a program called cutlass. http://www.synacklabs.net/projects/cutlass/ It is rather old but I am willing to give it a try. I will be glad if others check it also and report some feedback. It requires butan a c++ crypto library. I am also frustrated from the linux voice clients. google talk doesn't work ok. gtalx (another gtalk client crashes during talk), 3. Will Microsoft also drop support for Skype on non-Microsoft smartphone OSs (iOS, android, etc.)? Probably, it seems that they are aiming for xbox/new windows mobile phones. Ely -- Nadav Har'El| Wednesday, May 11 2011, 7 Iyyar 5771 n...@math.technion.ac.il |- Phone +972-523-790466, ICQ 13349191 |Don't accept your dog's admiration as http://nadav.harel.org.il |conclusive evidence that you're wonderful ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
Oleg Goldshmidt p...@goldshmidt.org writes: - my friends and family having an account on the service to stay in touch for free - seamless integration into Linux+Android - cheap (compared to any special offer I have ever received from long-distance providers) international calls to phones, especially mobile phones, from any country (OK, Europe+N.America+Israel as primary targets) to any other country. If anyone has suggestions, I am curious. Time to invest development effort into something like ekiga on Android? How GNOMEish is it? Does anyone use it? I realize that out of the 3 requirements above the 1st is unlkely to ever be satisfied, at least until the Android part of the 2nd is done, but what about the 3rd one right now? Does it work? What are the prices like? Not that I am ready to drop Skype tomorrow, but what *are* the potential alternatives? -- Oleg Goldshmidt | p...@goldshmidt.org ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On Wed, May 11, 2011, Amos Shapira wrote about MS buys Skype - will it support Linux: In case this haven't hit your newspad yet: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2011/05/microsoft_will_acquire_skype.html Any ideas on what it implies for none-Windows platform support? I am not aware of *any* Microsoft product that is officially supported on Linux. So I don't think there's any chance that a Linux version of Skype will continue to exist. That being said, three questions remain to be answered: 1. How hard is it to create a free front-end to the Skype servers? For example, ICQ never had (as far as I know) a Linux version, but I've been using it for years through free clients like (today) Pidgin. 2. With all the world moving to VOIP and video chats, is Skype still unique? I know that Google Voice is available (but not in Israel...), and probably others (I didn't look too hard). 3. Will Microsoft also drop support for Skype on non-Microsoft smartphone OSs (iOS, android, etc.)? -- Nadav Har'El| Wednesday, May 11 2011, 7 Iyyar 5771 n...@math.technion.ac.il |- Phone +972-523-790466, ICQ 13349191 |Don't accept your dog's admiration as http://nadav.harel.org.il |conclusive evidence that you're wonderful ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 10:10 AM, Nadav Har'El n...@math.technion.ac.il wrote: I am not aware of *any* Microsoft product that is officially supported on Linux. So I don't think there's any chance that a Linux version of Skype will continue to exist. While this is the case, MS can only stop developing new versions for Linux. If they will eliminate the current clients, they will be shooting themselves in the leg: 1. skype in/out is a revenue source. Even Linux users pay ;) The same goes obviously for non-MS platforms, like for smartphones, iPod touches, etc. etc. 2. less skype users - less reasons to stick to skype, and more reasons to look for something new. Works for other non-MS platforms. 3. regulation - if MS go after the Linux version, they will probably face regulatory investigations all around the world. As rich as MS is, a billion or two in fines in several countries, may change the purchase to a disaster (think of the stockholders! why nobody think of the stockholders?!? Cheers, -- Orr Dunkelman, orr.dunkel...@gmail.com GPG fingerprint: C2D5 C6D6 9A24 9A95 C5B3 2023 6CAB 4A7C B73F D0AA (This key will never sign Emails, only other PGP keys. The key corresponds to o...@vipe.technion.ac.il) ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 10:10 AM, Nadav Har'El n...@math.technion.ac.ilwrote: 3. Will Microsoft also drop support for Skype on non-Microsoft smartphone OSs (iOS, android, etc.)? Microsoft is actively developing software for Android and iPhone devices, so I guess the answer is Yes. ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 10:10 AM, Nadav Har'El n...@math.technion.ac.il wrote: On Wed, May 11, 2011, Amos Shapira wrote about MS buys Skype - will it support Linux: In case this haven't hit your newspad yet: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2011/05/microsoft_will_acquire_skype.html Any ideas on what it implies for none-Windows platform support? I am not aware of *any* Microsoft product that is officially supported on Linux. So I don't think there's any chance that a Linux version of Skype will continue to exist. That being said, three questions remain to be answered: 1. How hard is it to create a free front-end to the Skype servers? For example, ICQ never had (as far as I know) a Linux version, but I've been using it for years through free clients like (today) Pidgin. very hard, it's encrypted on development protocol. 2. With all the world moving to VOIP and video chats, is Skype still unique? I know that Google Voice is available (but not in Israel...), and probably others (I didn't look too hard). Yes, but the unique features are not available on linux anyhow (such as multi person video chatting). Skype is also very easy and comfortable to configure. I've been trying to find a good opensource replacement on linux for years now:( 3. Will Microsoft also drop support for Skype on non-Microsoft smartphone OSs (iOS, android, etc.)? Probably, it seems that they are aiming for xbox/new windows mobile phones. Ely -- Nadav Har'El | Wednesday, May 11 2011, 7 Iyyar 5771 n...@math.technion.ac.il |- Phone +972-523-790466, ICQ 13349191 |Don't accept your dog's admiration as http://nadav.harel.org.il |conclusive evidence that you're wonderful ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
Hi Nadav, On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 10:10:28AM +0300, Nadav Har'El wrote: On Wed, May 11, 2011, Amos Shapira wrote about MS buys Skype - will it support Linux: In case this haven't hit your newspad yet: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2011/05/microsoft_will_acquire_skype.html Any ideas on what it implies for none-Windows platform support? I am not aware of *any* Microsoft product that is officially supported on Linux. Microsoft do support Linux on their Hyper-V product. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-supported-guest-os.aspx I know, technically it is not running _on_ Linux, but still. See also drivers/staging/hv in your local kernel sources tree. baruch -- ~. .~ Tk Open Systems =}ooO--U--Ooo{= - bar...@tkos.co.il - tel: +972.2.679.5364, http://www.tkos.co.il - ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
On May 11, 2011, at 10:10 AM, Nadav Har'El wrote: I am not aware of *any* Microsoft product that is officially supported on Linux. So I don't think there's any chance that a Linux version of Skype will continue to exist. I don't agree. For two reasons. My experience with the Mac Version of Skype has been that it is far less suported than the Windows version. I have not used the Linux version but I can't imagine it's support being better than the Mac. Most of their support is go ask on the forums anyway. Since Skype's support is so little on non Windows systems, it makes sense for Microsoft to continue it. Note that for many years the largest software developer for the Mac was Microsoft. They still sell Mac products (e.g. Office). This of course assumes that Skype continues to exist as a product. It may just become part of Windows and all stand alone versions will go away. :-( That being said, three questions remain to be answered: 1. How hard is it to create a free front-end to the Skype servers? For example, ICQ never had (as far as I know) a Linux version, but I've been using it for years through free clients like (today) Pidgin. Skype currently offers SIP access, but it is not cheap, From what I remember it is $5 a line per month with no subscriptions for outgoing calls. You also pay for DIDs (incoming numbers). 2. With all the world moving to VOIP and video chats, is Skype still unique? Yes. It's still the only cross platform and Windows, VoiP/Video Confernencing/text chat that can be used by anyone. There are others, but none offer all of it, are free, and are simple to set up and use. SIP still requires an exchange to connect through, and with the demise of Free World Dialup , there are only a few left and they are not well known. I know that Google Voice is available (but not in Israel...), and probably others (I didn't look too hard). Google voice can be accessed in Israel. You need an incoming US DID (which you can get for free) and a US IP address to register. Once you are registered and your DID forwards calls to your Israeli number or your device, you can use it. It's several layers of VoIP and routing, it may work for you or not. It's a question of price. There are lots of free/cheap VoIP providers. They range from no support to good support, but none of them have people who will set up your hardware (or provide it), come to your home and fix things, etc. There are also companies that do provide the hardware, have real people available for support, etc, but they are not free or even cheap. At least Skype did not astroturf (pay people to write friendly postings to mailing lists). You can tell because although they all are slightly different due to different people (often a member of the list) writing them, they all make the same points, follow the same order, and basicly say the same things in the same way. 3. Will Microsoft also drop support for Skype on non-Microsoft smartphone OSs (iOS, android, etc.)? iOS has lots of alternatives, more importantly will Apple offer an iChat and Facetime client for Windows? Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, N3OWJ/4X1GM Occam's Razor does not apply to electronics. If something won't turn on, it's not likely to be the power switch. ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
3. regulation - if MS go after the Linux version, they will probably face regulatory investigations all around the world. As rich as MS is, a billion or two in fines in several countries, may change the purchase to a disaster (think of the stockholders! why nobody think of the stockholders?!? What problems do you see regarding regulations? -- Ori Idan ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
2011/5/11 Amos Shapira amos.shap...@gmail.com: In case this haven't hit your newspad yet: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2011/05/microsoft_will_acquire_skype.html Any ideas on what it implies for none-Windows platform support? I guess they aren't daft enough to just drop it but would they shuffle their feet even more when working on none-Windows platforms (as if they aren't far enough behind already)? I usually avoid speculating on what might happen because someone makes this or that business decision. I realize that my information on reasons/underlyings/etc. is limited. However, I am a Skype user - a paying one - on Linux and since recently on Android, so I got very interested over the last couple of days when first the rumours started and then the official announcement went out. So I'll offer a couple of thoughts. Skype for me is a very useful tool to be in touch with family and friends when we are in different countries. I have a Skype-out account and I use it to call friends abroad or to call Israel when I travel. I may start looking for alternatives, but so far nothing comes to mind when I consider the requirements: - my friends and family having an account on the service to stay in touch for free - seamless integration into Linux+Android - cheap (compared to any special offer I have ever received from long-distance providers) international calls to phones, especially mobile phones, from any country (OK, Europe+N.America+Israel as primary targets) to any other country. If anyone has suggestions, I am curious. Linux Skype versions are far behind than Windows even today, but since I don't use video or anything fancy, just regular voice and chat, that's OK as long as it works. I don't much care if the latest bells and whistles get to my platforms later or not at all. If memory serves, the only product MS have ever seriously supported on another platform is Office on Mac (and MS were major stakeholders of Apple at thwe time, weren't they?), so the possibility that they'll drop Skype development/support is a concern. Especially since Skype cannot be forked. Having said that, I suspect that rumours of Skype's imminent death have been a bit exaggerated. I paid attention that Ballmer specifically said they would continue support, and that Skype is going to remain, at least initially, a separate business with a separate road map. This is, mind you, a money-losing company with something like 320 employees. I read it as an attempt to protect Skype from being swallowed by some MS division with its own objectives and priorities. This may change in the future but I doubt we are at much risk in the short term. I doubt MS will discontinue Android/iOS support quickly - that user base, as opposed to Linux desktop user base, is of primary importance. It is also important from the following point of view: I am sure they have Skype on Windows phones in mind (I don't think it is there at present), and this may stir up trouble with telcos. Having all the Android and iOS mass on their side may be important in that fight. If you don't want to pay a single penny to MS for - respected - ideological reasons that's a consideration, of course. I suspect that one major reason to own Skype is advertising potential of the user base, in whatever shape of form it may come (pay a few bucks to get rid of the ads is one route). This *is* a concern, especially if they start analysing my personal data, whom I call, etc., for targeted ads. -- Oleg Goldshmidt | p...@goldshmidt.org ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
In case this haven't hit your newspad yet: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2011/05/microsoft_will_acquire_skype.html Any ideas on what it implies for none-Windows platform support? I guess they aren't daft enough to just drop it but would they shuffle their feet even more when working on none-Windows platforms (as if they aren't far enough behind already)? --Amos ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il
Re: MS buys Skype - will it support Linux
Unless they radically changed, their main goal is to force people to use their OS and Office suit, so the support for any other platform would be weak at best. What reliable alternative can one use for VOIP and phone in Linux? Including land line and cellular calls for low cost. I remember Ekiga, but do not think it ever got too far off the ground, and last time I tried google voice was not that great under linux either. Z. 2011/5/10 Amos Shapira amos.shap...@gmail.com In case this haven't hit your newspad yet: http://blogs.skype.com/en/2011/05/microsoft_will_acquire_skype.html Any ideas on what it implies for none-Windows platform support? I guess they aren't daft enough to just drop it but would they shuffle their feet even more when working on none-Windows platforms (as if they aren't far enough behind already)? --Amos ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il -- Check out my web site - www.words2u.net ___ Linux-il mailing list Linux-il@cs.huji.ac.il http://mailman.cs.huji.ac.il/mailman/listinfo/linux-il