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Old 04-10-2009, 04:23 PM   #1
Bassy
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Question Skype && Open Source?

Hey! How's everyone doing?

Can anyone tell me or does anyone knows how does Skype relate to Open Source philosophy?

I've heard that there's an API and programming contests over it but I'm no quite sure.

Thanks!
 
Old 04-11-2009, 07:16 AM   #2
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Simply put, Skype doesn't relate to open source. They are completely closed source and seem to like it that way. As a result, their Linux client is marginally functional at best.

To be honest, I've never understood their attitude. Since they give away their clients, and open source version would actually be in their best interest, especially since it is pretty clear that they don't give two hoots about Linux and couldn't program their way out of a hole in the ground.
 
Old 04-11-2009, 09:40 AM   #3
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That's what I thought. But what is this Skype API then?
 
Old 04-13-2009, 07:11 AM   #4
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From what I've read, it is just a way to pass text between Skype and 3rd party applications. I have no idea if it is even remotely useful.
 
Old 04-13-2009, 08:38 AM   #5
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Jejeje... thanks!
 
Old 04-13-2009, 08:57 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hangdog42 View Post
To be honest, I've never understood their attitude. Since they give away their clients, and open source version would actually be in their best interest, especially since it is pretty clear that they don't give two hoots about Linux and couldn't program their way out of a hole in the ground.
Dunno for sure but I did read that nobody could break their encryption till now and the NSA is jumping mad about it.
that would make it all worthwhile
 
Old 04-13-2009, 09:45 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by crashmeister View Post
Dunno for sure but I did read that nobody could break their encryption till now and the NSA is jumping mad about it.
that would make it all worthwhile
Wow! I didn't know that... do you have any links regarding Skype encryption methods? That would be interesting to read.
 
Old 04-13-2009, 01:33 PM   #8
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No - there is the source I read it - was linked by ./ I think.

But if you search google for skype and nsa you'll find all kinds of conflicting stuff :-)
 
Old 04-13-2009, 10:56 PM   #9
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Sweet! XD
 
Old 04-23-2009, 06:10 AM   #10
jisjis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassy View Post
Hey! How's everyone doing?

Can anyone tell me or does anyone knows how does Skype relate to Open Source philosophy?

I've heard that there's an API and programming contests over it but I'm no quite sure.

Thanks!

Its a pretty simple relation actually:
Skype != Open Source





Linux
Last edited by jisjis; 04-26-2009 at 04:40 AM.
 
Old 04-23-2009, 10:18 AM   #11
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Jejeje... pretty simple ah?!? XD
 
Old 04-23-2009, 10:49 AM   #12
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well, Skype has a reasonable client though (read here: http://share.skype.com/sites/linux/

I have been using the latest Linux version for a while, no problems so far.

Mons
 
Old 04-23-2009, 12:16 PM   #13
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well, Skype has a reasonable client though (read here: http://share.skype.com/sites/linux/
I'm glad they haven't completely abandoned it, but I would argue the current Linux version is FAR from reasonable. It still uses V4L1, while pretty much every distro in existence has moved to V4L2 and that causes all sorts of trouble. It also has a tiny fraction of the features found in the Windows and OSX versions.

Given their past history with a Linux client, I'll believe them when I see a new version.
 
  


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