I was thinking of getting the magic jack to replace a phone line i really dont use often.

I run a Centos box all the time for my test and web stuff.

I know MJ works with MacOS and Win stuff but they dont say Linux.

I was wondering if anyone has this running on Linux?

If not i was then thinking of a virtual xp system that could run and do nothing but be there for the MJ device if I need it.

I really hate to run xp if I dont have to.

Thoughts on this are appreciated.

I do not use Magic Jack, but my understanding is that getting it to work reliably on Linux is not easy. You need to run the Windows software through either a VM or WINE, and there are problems with both methods. Everything I have seen in the past said that you can get the Magic Jack software working at least to a degree on Linux, but there are still some usability bugs.

There is a considerable following for people trying to get the MJ working under Linux. Here is a forum dedicated to the problem.

thank you for the info. Every thing I searched says you have to run a vm system of XP. I wanted to avoid doing that but it may be the only choice I have now.

Just get Ooma http://www.ooma.com/

After buying the unit, you only pay local taxes and fees. Mainly, this is for 911 service.

For my area the break down of cost per month is:
Regulatory Compliance Fee $1.59
911 Service Fee $1.59
Federal Universal Service Charge $0.29
State and local taxes, fees and surcharges $0.00

Total: $3.47

Tax calculator

Also, I think Ooma is the only voip system that supports fax. But that was from a brief research a while ago.

EDIT: both support 911

Further reading suggest that the 911 service on Magic Jack is not in compliance with paying the 911 fee. This may result in you having to pay an 1.59 or more later. Additionally, if you take the $20 per year and divide by 12, you end up with $1.66... what fees are they paying and how much is going into their hands per year? Are they even paying the federal or regulatory compliance fee?

Also on the note of 911. both options are not guaranteed to have the federal requirement of must function '99.9% of the time under all situations such as power outages.'.. much like your cell phone. So if you can live with this, I wouldn't worry about using Voip 911 services.

thank you for the link. I talked to them and they said they are working on a linux one but no ETA on it. I dont know if the existing one will just need a sw update or if you have to get a new unit all together. Does not sound like they will have it out any time soon.

I can only imagine what is doing passing other peoples calls through your computer etc.
But this will only be a backup phone for me. I live off my cell. I just wish I could port my current land line number.

So I got the MJ last night and built a vm system on my centOS system. Having some issues with the / on the host os filling up but I am making progress. It did seem to recognize the MJ when I plugged it in. But had a problem loading.

I still have to patch the xp version I loaded so maybe after that it will be OK.

Ill report back in a few once i get my space issue with / worked out.

Well i got the MJ working on a xp VM using virtual box. Seems to work OK. I still have to hook it up to the house to see if it works on every jack.