GNU Call: Skype alternative

It will work

If it will work on these scenarios in addition to the internet:
Wifi network
LAN network
WAN network


Peer to peer is a major plus. Fedora 14 has included the GNU SIP if I am not mistaken, so all I need is a wireless directional antennae to connect to a remote location given if there is LOS, rather than an expensive cellular tower.
 
mRsKu11 said:
Love the idea. Not sure how well it will do though
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Agree, it relies on massive uptake. It's time the GNU guys start thinking marketing out of the box. Open source doesn't have to remain some product on the far side of the web with a name you can't pronounce.

Will they offer 'skype out' type services? If so, who scores?
 
Skype has become a huge piece of software, with too much unnecessary communication happening behind the scenes.

As I use Skype with a closed group of friends, it will not be too difficult to get them to also use GNU Call. Then I will have no reason to keep on using Skype.
 
Whats not free with skype (other than skype out). Skype is well and truly entrenched on the average user desktop. Personally I cannot see GNU Call knocking it off its top spot. With Skypes' integrated video its just that much more convenient to use, why make things more complicated for yourself and try and integrate 3rd pary video when there already exists a very simple solution - skype. Anyway choice is good in the end I suppose.
 
zamicro said:
Skype has become a huge piece of software, with too much unnecessary communication happening behind the scenes.

As I use Skype with a closed group of friends, it will not be too difficult to get them to also use GNU Call. Then I will have no reason to keep on using Skype.
Click to expand...

The 'unnecessary communications behind the scenes' you refer to will be there in any peer to peer product. By default with Skype you are a supernode if you have a good line and other's comms are being routed via your PC - it's the nature of peer to peer. Since the GNU model is the same (P2P), it will only work if there are enough 'supernodes' around and in particular in your neck of the woods.
 
An alternative to Skype - for what, I ask. Talk about reinventing the wheel. Even if they do come up with new software it, the use of it will never be entirely free. It seems they have nothing better to do with their time.
 
brentmin said:
An alternative to Skype - for what, I ask. Talk about reinventing the wheel. Even if they do come up with new software it, the use of it will never be entirely free. It seems they have nothing better to do with their time.
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Skype only works with skype. I would prefer to use a open sip based protocol so communications between all clients is possible.
 
For those of you who do not see the possibilities:

If I want a private server, I would be able to set it up with this.
If I want encryption on my call, I would be able to set it up.
Because it is based on SIP, I can set it up so that a normal telephone user can call me on it. Thus I would be able to just use my SIP number instead of my mobile number. Then it would be truely portable. (I could also have more than one SIP number for the same service, which means my family and friends will have one, and the rest of the world another.)
Etc...
 
I have yet to find a Skype client for a smartphone that actually works.

Hopefully this group will be able to come up with something.
 
Garyvdh said:
I have yet to find a Skype client for a smartphone that actually works.

Hopefully this group will be able to come up with something.
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I've been using Skype for smartphones for almost a year - and it is brilliant.
 
Antonf said:
I've been using Skype for smartphones for almost a year - and it is brilliant.
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What kind of phone do you have?

Skype for Nokia N8 and E71 does not work.
Skype for Samsung Galaxy S does not work.

Seems like they have no plans to fix it either.
 
Bernie said:
Whats not free with skype (other than skype out). Skype is well and truly entrenched on the average user desktop. Personally I cannot see GNU Call knocking it off its top spot. With Skypes' integrated video its just that much more convenient to use, why make things more complicated for yourself and try and integrate 3rd pary video when there already exists a very simple solution - skype. Anyway choice is good in the end I suppose.
Click to expand...
When GNU uses the term "free", they don't mean gratis to the end user. They also take future developers into consideration.
 
Interesting. Sick & tired of skype calls to grahamstown being routed via freakin UK.
 
Will it have DBus-interface?

(please let this message stay. do not delete it again :whistle:

This GPL'ed audio-recorder for Linux can communicate with Skype over DBus-interface.
Ref: https://launchpad.net/audio-recorder
It can automatically record all Skype-calls.

I hope that GNU Call will have a similar Dbus-interface for external applications or a plugin
for audio/video recording.

Alex.
 
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