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GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

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Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#41

Post by Stormbringer »

pclark wrote: post #7

The sad fact of the matter is most people do not give a hoot about software being open. I honestly do not think you stand a chance competing against Skype, it is so insanely great and wide spread. I'd be impressed if they can actually make the UI/UX better than the latest (horrendous) Skype client. It's like the Diaspora of VoIP.

Just because something is popular (e.g. MySpace) doesn't mean something else can't come along and replace it (e.g. Facebook)

Everyone I know who uses Skype complains (eventually) about the quality.

Additionally, Skype is effectively a closed (in the sense of opaque) system controlled by corporate interests. Now, I'm not against someone making a fair return on a fair service, but I do worry about who has control over my information. Who is Skype accountable to?

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#42

Post by pjscott »

nathanb wrote: post #33

Real hackers ship. Developing a project under an open source license should never be an excuse for vaporware, but unfortunately it often is. If GNU Free Call turns out to be any good--and the bar for being better than Skype on Linux or Android is low enough to be subterranean--I'll gladly use it, but I'm having a lot of trouble getting excited at this point.

That was my first reaction, but it looks like these guys know what they're talking about and have a feasible plan for getting something useful made. That's a far cry from working code, but it is reason for cautious hope.

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#43

Post by nyud »

patrickaljord wrote: post #28
pclark wrote: post #7

The sad fact of the matter is most people do not give a hoot about software being open. I honestly do not think you stand a chance competing against Skype, it is so insanely great and wide spread. I'd be impressed if they can actually make the UI/UX better than the latest (horrendous) Skype client. It's like the Diaspora of VoIP.

Actually Skype is pretty horrible on linux, it uses tons of CPU, crashes a lot and lacks tons of features compared to windows. Also I've heard bad things about the OSX version.

I've actually had a pretty decent experience with Skype on Linux, even with my slow Eee PC. Granted, I don't use video a ton, but it seems to hold up fine when I do. That said, it is certainly missing a lot of the features included in the Windows and Mac versions.

In addition, the Android version lacks video, and is a bit clunky, but I have not had problems with its performance.

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#44

Post by sciurus »

pclark wrote: post #8
ecaron wrote: post #4

The FSF has a great article explaining why this is necessary, and how the existing offerings come into play (and where they fall short): http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority-projects/#skypereplace...

Guh. I go to download Ekiga to see how it compared to Skype, and on Mac they want me to download source and compile it? Seriously?

A compatible (H.323 and SIP) alternative to Ekiga for OS X is XMeeting. http://xmeeting.sourceforge.net/

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#45

Post by mbrubeck »

nathanb wrote: post #33

Real hackers ship. Developing a project under an open source license should never be an excuse for vaporware, but unfortunately it often is. If GNU Free Call turns out to be any good--and the bar for being better than Skype on Linux or Android is low enough to be subterranean--I'll gladly use it, but I'm having a lot of trouble getting excited at this point.

"Developing a project under an open source license should never be an excuse for vaporware"

Actually, it should. If you want to have meaningful external/community participation in a project, you need to involve the community from the earliest stages. (Sorry, I'm a bit sensitive to this complaint after working for Mozilla. Apparently some people would rather we do our planning and development in secret, rather than allow community access to our design and product discussions.)

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#46

Post by felipe »

chadaustin wrote: post #11
pclark wrote: post #7

The sad fact of the matter is most people do not give a hoot about software being open. I honestly do not think you stand a chance competing against Skype, it is so insanely great and wide spread. I'd be impressed if they can actually make the UI/UX better than the latest (horrendous) Skype client. It's like the Diaspora of VoIP.

Maybe true, but give them a chance at least... See firefox, inkscape as successful examples.

See firefox, inkscape as successful examples.

Firefox is a great alternative to a sucky dominant player (IE). Inkscape is a great alternative to expensive dominant players (graphic software). The problem with this case is that Skype is excellent, free and dominant. There is no incentive for users to switch, other than being open source (which appeals to people like you and me, but the masses don't care)

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#47

Post by wyclif »

felipe wrote: post #46
chadaustin wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe true, but give them a chance at least... See firefox, inkscape as successful examples.

See firefox, inkscape as successful examples. Firefox is a great alternative to a sucky dominant player (IE). Inkscape is a great alternative to expensive dominant players (graphic software). The problem with this case is that Skype is excellent, free and dominant. There is no incentive for users to switch, other than being open source (which appeals to people like you and me, but the masses don't care)

There is no incentive for users to switch

...unless you're on Linux.

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#48

Post by michaelbuckbee »

pclark wrote: post #7

The sad fact of the matter is most people do not give a hoot about software being open. I honestly do not think you stand a chance competing against Skype, it is so insanely great and wide spread. I'd be impressed if they can actually make the UI/UX better than the latest (horrendous) Skype client. It's like the Diaspora of VoIP.

The hope of something like this isn't to replicate Skype (the UI and behaviors) in an "open" form but to set the stage for new and different communications tools that wouldn't have been possible.

Some random thoughts on scenarios where this might make sense over Skype

1. You want to make a game that includes voice chat.

2. You're building something that's more a one-way flow of audio (like a baby monitor).

3. Self hosted Twilio type services.

4. An in house/office intercom system.

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#49

Post by jtheory »

wyclif wrote: post #47
felipe wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See firefox, inkscape as successful examples. Firefox is a great alternative to a sucky dominant player (IE). Inkscape is a great alternative to expensive dominant players (graphic software). The problem with this case is that Skype is excellent, free and dominant. There is no incentive for users to switch, other than being open source (which appeals to people like you and me, but the masses don't care)

There is no incentive for users to switch ...unless you're on Linux.

What's the incentive for Linux users? Philosophical consistency?

Re: GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software)

#50

Post by [deleted] »

woodson wrote: post #37
aaronbrethorst wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Regarding cell phone manufacturers: that's not really the same thing. Phone numbers are universal. It's not like an iPhone user on AT&T can only call other AT&T users[1], or that T-Mobile customers can only call other T-Mobile customers. Skype limits me to reaching out to other Skype users. FaceTime only works with people who have bought into the Apple ecosystem. [1] Although one might suggest that these iPhone users…

Well, that's due to rigorous standardization. Think about the speech codecs etc. used in mobile telephony. It's not like a phone number gives you anything more than an IP address does.

[deleted]
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