I am concerned about installing skype for Linux and need your opinion as to what you would do in my case. The problem is not the dependencies, because I checked them manually with apt-cache policy but the fact (impression?) that Skype is a closed source project.

Then use Linphone ekiga with any SIP

First of all, thanks for your reply.


What do you mean by "SIP"?

Is it possible to configure linphone to communicate with skype users? If yes, how? Don't hestitate pointing me at manuals if they exist.

Session Initiated Protocol - from a Google search:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session...ation_Protocol
No. Skype is proprietary, and if you want to use it, you have to use their client.

On that note, Skype may be a 'closed source' product, but if you need that functionality, so what? I've been a paying Skype customer for years, and it's worked find for audio/video calls to other Skype users, and Skype-to-'regular phone' works fine too. The RPM's from their site go right on, and haven't ever caused me a problem.

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I remember using wikipedia to read about quantum mechanics but was completely set back when I learnt that the equations I was reading were vandalised. Many univesities penalise their students if they quote wikipedia in their assignments. I other words, I need a more reliable source to read.

In my case, it is very important that I use an open source client rather than one with closed source.

So, my solution seems to tell my relatives to use linphone when they want to contact me.

Honestly, I like skype, but I don't trust it (being owned by microsoft now.....). I normally use linphone, etc, for voip, and I use skype only to chat with a few people that won't install anything different.

..which has nothing to do with a definition of a term, nor does it prevent you from looking up SIP on Google
And WHY is it important it's open-source?? What does an open-source program give you that a closed-source one doesn't, aside from the source code?
Agreed...however, I'm paying $30 a YEAR for a phone # that works on my iPhone and on my computer, that's 100% portable, and includes long distance, voicemail, and caller ID. Can even do text-messaging. For the money, I can't complain...at least not until there are other options for about the same $$$.

True about the money.... How much do you pay a month?

If I were to be contented with closed source, I would have remained a loyal Windows user, but the fact that the source is closed and there is no way of it being open for criticism, is enough for me to use other alternatives.

It works out to be about $2.50 a month, I think. I pay per year, so I think that's right. Service has been good, except for one outage a while back, which hasn't reoccurred since.

Then you should start writing your own instant-messenger server immediately.

Yahoo, MSN, AOL, etc., ALL have closed-source backends. While you may be able to use Kopete or other open-source CLIENTS, the servers are NOT open source. Protocol descriptions were released, so clients could be written. Even Jabber (which DOES have an open-source server), has a closed-source commercial version.

If you think about what Skype is (essentially, a worldwide VOIP service), and one for which some folks pay for, is why it's closed. The only difference here is they provide you a client.

Oh wow, that is actually pretty good. You have intrigued me to check their paid services out now.....

if Skype is owned by MS, won't it soon be withdrawn or stop working on Linux?

Not necessarily.

I'm aware of another Microsoft product, indeed a Microsoft branded product where Linux is supported.

Shame on you for indulging into personal attacks.
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