Skype for Linux released

[ilja]

Hi,

after a long time of waiting is Skype for Linux released. Download (http://www.skype.com/download_linux.html) They have a RPM for Fedora Core.

Backgroundinformation: Skype is a widely used program, which lets you speak with another skype user on the net. more infos: www.skype.com

[blahrus]

how well does it work?

[ilja]

It connects. And looks good, but I could not yet test it, because I have 2 soundcards and can't find any soundcardproperties.

[blahrus]

it will let me dail any phone number also? they don't have to be skype users?

[ilja]

No, it only connects to another skype user! Like I said in my first post.

[Ug]

Not much good if you don't have broadband. ;)

But certainly an interesting prospect! I take it that its based on Voice over IP? There's been a fair amount of stuff on this at the moment about governments trying ot get legiislation together so that they can listen into calls over VoIP. It's currently illegal for them to do so. See here (http://whiterose.samizdata.net/archives/006231.html) for more details.

[ilja]

Afaik skype is encoded.

[Ug]

Yes - but it doesn't mean that eavesdropping technologies cannot be developed. Nothing is impossible.

[ilja]

Yes - but it doesn't mean that eavesdropping technologies cannot be developed. Nothing is impossible.
Yes, everything can be developed and big brother is watching us, but my neighbour can't listen, because it's encoded :D

[Evert]

i installed it, but can not log-in.
Any ideas?

[ilja]

Start it in the console and see whether there are errors. And also try to start as root.

[Evert]

thx

It works

nice tool by the way :o

[djf_jeff]

Ok, try it and work fine here, but the options menu segfault at some time... You _need_ broadband! ;)

[ilja]

I don't think it will work without broadband :(

[MrWh1t3]

That shouldent be an issue everyone should have broadband...no matter how little you use the internet..just my thoughts

[Ug]

Yes, everything can be developed and big brother is watching us, but my neighbour can't listen, because it's encoded :DWell I have less chance of being watched i suppose, since I live in a country which has a smaller state than Germany. But if that EU constitution is ratified complete with the Eurojust, I could be extradited to Slovakia for some random crime on next to no evidence.

Yippeee!

[Jman]

Just becuase everyone should have broadband doesn't mean everybody does.

They say it will work over dial up but I doubt it.

Very interesting concept.

[ghenry]

I tried it this afternoon, and is froze. It's not OSS and they will charge you when it hits stable.

[MrWh1t3]

Well they might charge you but im sure its cheaper than $30 a month like most people are paying for landline phones it might be a one time fee of 30 bucks or like 5$ a month or something either way i think its a great idea and im sure they will have a free one with ads or something and a cost one with out them. who knows i hope they dont ruin it that way.

[Scoob_E]

iirc they will charge for some things like being able to call real phone numbers and probably confrence calls, I don't think they will make it a pay only service (at least I hope not)

jst my .02
scoob

[ghaefb]

It's great and it works :) really

Me and my friend talked over a mic.. the sound is great. (we both have ADSL)
It's so easy to use, you don't even need any configuration.

cool

[ghenry]

Do you think it would replace a telephone?

[Scoob_E]

I don't think so, at least not yet... the only thing that I have heard comes close is vonage (which really is just a voip bridge to the phone network, I think)... but since I dont have it, I wouldn't know. The quality of skype at least to me seems comparable to a cell phone. Its good for chatting, but i doubt i would ever depend on it as a primary form of comunication (for now).

Scoob

[ghaefb]

The quality of skype at least to me seems comparable to a cell phone.

Are you kidding ? You don't mean quality of sound do you.. because it's much better.
:o

[ghenry]

Really, no popping?

[ilja]

I don't know why, but now using the linux-client the quality is great. When I used the Windows client it was like cell phone. Or with one partner it was much worser.

[ghenry]

I know why. It's because it's on Linux!!! Linux is much better than Windows silly.

[deuch]

sound of skype is OK, better than phone and other msn for me ...
But under linux, skype stills beta and you can't access the option panel ...
Maybe it's possible to improve sound quality with some tweaks ... But i think that it will be provided in the commercial version ...

deuch

[Ug]

I have a dial-up connection. Go figure.

[mugga]

Skype is great. I'm on 56k dial up and I have had 3 way calls.
I can call other PCs for free and for a tiny fee I even call fixed phones!
:-D