On 11 Nov, 19:27, Geoffrey <gcomb...@bigpond.com> wrote: > Although I was aware of Skype and even installed it on MS Windows I did > not sign up. I felt no pressing need to do so. That means I know nothing > about telephoning via the Internet apart from using a similar thing > called Echolink designed for radio amateurs (like me) who communicate > around the world through VHF radio repeaters and the Internet. > Then, as a Ubuntu 9.10 beginner, I found the so-called 'softphone' Ekiga > in the applications menu. I signed up for Ekiga.net and sent a few > dollars to Diamondcard.us to pay for PC to real phone. > Ekiga boasts using a standard protocol, one that I presumed would be > adopted by all 'softphone' software. Now I'm told that quote - "skype > doesn't use the SIP system without purchasing additional hardware" - > unquote. Evidently (?) Skype is different and doesn't communicate with > Ekiga. I've learnt too that there is Skype for Linux. > This is a bit of a disappointment. What happened to standard protocols? > Incidently I have not yet upgraded to 9.10. I think I saw a comment on > Ubuntu-AU that Ekiga is not part of the upgrade. If so what has taken > its place? > My questions of members are, in relation to Ubuntu: > 1. Where do I go from the present position cited above? > 2. How is the Ubuntu softphone-Skype matter resolved? > > Geoffrey Combes Hi Geoffrey,
I have given up on both skype for linux and especially Ekiga Although skype worked on Linux it at times got pretty flaky on skype to skype calls I use my net phone see called mynetfone with just a soft fone that comes with it *the software* On windoze the free soft phone works fine But on Both platforms the KILLER app is a thing called xlite see http://www.counterpath.com/x-lite.html Now this thing imo is the ducks guts of all the soft phones I have tried using mynetfone My netfone help desk is fantastic chasing down little annoyances like echo on the called partyś end changed a codec and fiddled with a string and now better quality than telstra or optus both ends For $9.00 a month I get 200 free UNTIMED calls to land lines anywhere in oz including xmas Island all CLEAR as a bell Other night had to speak to sweden for over an hour and a half cost 40cents ? and was a Swedish mobile ? that oen has me stuffed but not complaing Xlite have a linux version not as sweet as the windows version but MUCH better than anything else I have tried Now the neat thing I like about MNF is you get a normal phone number with your area code and those ringing in have no idea it is a VOIP connection. If your away or the machine is off and you have not set call forwarding they can leave a voice message now here is the neat bit :) MNF send you an email with a wav file appended and you get the voice message ! time and from whom etc etc straight away -one of the big irritations with helstra is some days I dont get message notification that people have rung for up to two days especially if they are with other carriers . Not so with mnf I have been with mnf two years and ditched the home telstra land lines with very heavy use I am averaging 20 bucks a month (incl the 9 service fee) when I ring a lot of mobiles about 15cents a minute The software comes for linux as a tar ball file and you install it as you would any other tar ball. if you want to check the quality or any other part of the subject post ring the d-i-d- 0894674703 I have the software installed on all 21 machines and the 4 lappyś that are spread over my area of ops from Perth to Darwin And also in Thailand and Singapore HK Cocos and UK & UAE NEVER had a problem with xlite although the mynetfone software in the early days gave me heaps of heartburn. That problem mnf fixed about 3 months ago on their latest version . While typing this I tried the linux skype and reckon it is still a dogs breakfast on linux . Although the windows version is ok for skype to skype . Couple of mates had the paid version and all have ditched it for things like penny tell engine and mnf. the Whirlpool.net.au site may be worth a visit to check out voip I recall they have a section dedicated both to voip and mnf But EKIGA I could NEVER get to play nice HTH cheers P -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
