Finally free software Skype alternative?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-hello-make-receive-calls-without-account
Is this it? Victory at last?
We already have VoIP software. This is just yet another. Is it better than what we have? I don't know.
Personally, I don't think we should be integrating communication protocols, VoIP or not, into Web browsers. VoIP has nothing to do with the Web.
The by far more important question is: Is it compatible with the likes of Ekiga?
I highly disagree with onpon4.
If it really works like described then I think it's a huge success for free software.
The situation is:
a handful of people seek for other solutions than skype, the huge majority of people doesn't care and is quite content with it.
Sure, we have other voip solutions, but they all require an account and software installed on every involved computer (and, by the way, never worked for me).
If you want to talk to a non-technical person who doesn't know much about the whole issue, you're gonna bother her with 'install this strange software for those strange reasons you don't understand' and she will be like: why not just use skype?
Sending her a link to a browser based chat service hence is a huge improvement.
Skype requires an account and software installed on every involved computer, too. The only difference is that Skype is popular, and Microsoft refuses to implement support for protocols that would allow Skype to communicate with other VoIP clients.
> she will be like: why not just use skype?
Because I don't have Skype installed?
If one person has Jitsi but not Skype, and the other has Skype but not Jitsi, why is it the responsibility of the former person to accomodate the latter person? This doesn't make sense. On the contrary, if you have a particular objection to using Skype, a good friend would either try to install VoIP software that can be used to communicate with you, or give up on VoIP altogether and communicate with you in other ways.
"If one person has Jitsi but not Skype, and the other has Skype but not Jitsi, why is it the responsibility of the former person to accomodate the latter person?"
Of course you can bother your friends so long until they finally install Jitsi on top of skype. You will annoy them with this and probably it won't even work (i experiences a lot of problems with Jitsi).
All of this can be circumvented using webbased voip services.
"a good friend would either try to install VoIP software that can be used to communicate with you, or give up on VoIP altogether and communicate with you in other ways."
You can't expect everybody to understand your ideology. If you limit your friends to people who share the understanding for software-freedom issues then you will be very lonely i guess.
So from pure statistics, your friends won't understand the reason why you refuse to use skype or find it awkward.
Sure, good friends would accept that and install the software you want them to install, but again: you bother them with this and look quite strange at the same time.
That's a problem, and webbased voip is the solution.
Your whole argumentation is like: "It can be done without webbased voip" and with this you somehow ignore its advantages.
Why?
> Your whole argumentation is like: "It can be done without webbased voip" and with this you somehow ignore its advantages.
No, I don't see it as advantageous, period. You seem to be under the impression that being a part of a Web browser is a deal-breaker, and I completely disagree. I once used Netscape, which comes with an email client, but that didn't get me off of webmail. Why should the situation with Skype be any different?
"Why should the situation with Skype be any different?"
Well, do I really have to explain?
In order to use your Email Client, -you- have to install it, you and nobody else.
In order to use Jitsi, you have to install it *and make another person do the same*.
The latter one isn't neccessary anymore with a webbased solution.
That's the advantage.
Ii don't understand how one can't see this.
I am a member!
I agree that skype is not a free, or even open, option, and never recommend it. However, I've all but given up on voip, since most of my social network will not use any client but skype. Whenever I manage to persuade someone to try a sip client, the experience does not go well, usually due to router misconfiguration; if we manage to get connected, the audio quality is unsatisfactory to the other person. I hope web rtc can deliver on its promise!
Have them try Getonsip's online client.
I am a translator!
Jitsy + ostel = encrypted voip.
Sure, some basic knowledge and 5 minutes of your time are needed to set it up, but it works great and it is very very secure.
I'm expecting a lot from TOX - currently it is very buggy (messaging and file sharing works great but audio/video is not) but they are really working hard to solve the bugs. Tox will be great - simple as pie!
I agree. I really like where Tox is heading. For me personally, it's already quite usable, including A/V!
@onpon4
It's got more to do with it than a telephone (i.e. the devices that can be used to sign up and use the account are the same - and neither works if your network card isn't working, I think).
But I do think that unless a web browser is trying to be as many things as Emacs can be, then Idon't see why VoIP should be part of it. Or (for me) RSS readers.
Right. I was actually thinking of the mess that was the Netscape bundle, and then the Mozilla suite. Most of us moved away from that a long time ago specifically because it doesn't make any sense; why should we go back to it now?
And here I am..dreaming of a spiritual KDE3-Konqueror successor that can independently be a file manager, web browser, and a lot of useful things........Maybe a video player as well.....:)
For example: I like Firefox-based browsers and typically use IceCat. But what about people who use Midori? If they like this new VoIP program that's being bundled with Firefox, should they really be expected to have Firefox, Iceweasel, or Abrowser installed just for that? It's silly.
Also, what about the large percentage of users who have made the bad decision to use Google Chrome, or Internet Explorer, or Opera? Would they have to install Firefox to use this new VoIP program as well? Because if they do, I don't see any advantage here.
I'm using Mumble since the last 2 years to talk, works pretty good even on slow connections.
I am a member!
I think Mumble is great, too, but has the "only-free-software-fans-will-use-it" issue.
That's not necessarily true, once I convinced a friend to use Mumble instead of skype.
04-12-2014 18:16:37 name at domain:
> I'm using Mumble since the last 2 years to talk, works
pretty good even on
> slow connections.
+ 1
I'm even run a public server here in Brazil (Servidor
brasileiro de Mumble), if you wish, just drop by,
Best regards, ADFENO.
Have a nice day.
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I used mumble a lot before. It worked great and I was able to convince several friends to use it. It's easy to set up even if a few friends needed a little more help to connect to the server. :)
No zero knowledge encryption is no improvement.
One of you got jitsi video working? Using which sip provider?
One of you got encrypted linphone working? On which system?
https://www.gruveo.com/
No zero knowledge encryption.
Here's a related FSF resource https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority-projects/#Replaceskype
I am a translator!
aaaah, back in the day we used to open the windows in our homes and cry "Johnny,are you there? What about cofee? ..
Ok meet me in 10". And that was communication. And that worked pretty well!
:)
SuperTramp83
BACK IN MY DAYS, WE USED MESSENGER PIGEONS TO DELIVER MESSAGES.BACK IN MY DAYS, WE USED TWO CANS TIGHT TOGETHER AT THE END OF THE STRING TO TALK TO EACH OTHER.BACK IN MY DAYS, WE USE THE FLAG CODE STATIONS TO TALK TO EACH OTHER FOR DELIVERY OF MESSAGES.BACK IN MY DAYS, I LEARN MORSE CODE.BACK IN MY DAYS, WE USED THE POSTAL SERVICE TO DELIVER MESSAGES IN WRITING.BACK IN THE DAYS, WE USED ELECTRONIC BULLETINS BOARDS TO POST MESSAGES IN SIMPLE TEXT.BACK IN THOSE DAYS LIFE WAS MORE SIMPLER AND NOT COMPLICATED AS IT IS TODAY..
I am a translator!
"Back in those days life was more simpler and not complicated as it is today.."
I think the word you are looking for is "genuine"..
regards
SuperTramp83
.. / .- --. .-. . . / .-- .. - .... / -.-- --- ..- .-.-.-
The use of Skype.
I'm not denying Skype is proprietary, but Skype serves its purpose and it is a helpful tool.
I use Skype because is the only way I could stay in touch and manage my financial and personal affairs via a phone.
Show me a SIP program, that is totally free of charge? specially, while trying to place a local call to a 1-800 number or direct to any number, inside the United States? In Skype is free, while you are 3000 MILES AWAY making that call.
Most of the "free SIP programs" cant access or if they do have access to a switchboard, the call outside their network will cost you an arm and a leg.
In my case, Skype, does meets my cost and demand.
Point to Point, SIP programs or VoIP protocols have some kind of limitations. they are great withing their boundaries, but if you need to call someone outside their network they will rip your bank card clean. Their prices are outrageous.
In Skype, I use it only to call, nothing more. I don't use Skype to chat or SMS to someone, but to call only.
Matter fact, the Skype program I'm using it is the portable edition, on a 64gb USB drive. I will never use my real name when signing, but a nick name. Remember, I'm calling only, not receiving.
I have already, tried all of those SIP, VOIP, POINT TO POINT FSE libre programs. They don't meet my REQUIREMENTS.
If That it is a price of my privacy I'm willing to sacrifice, , then let it be!
I got nothing to hide...
Skype is most of the times free to call home and could be a cheaper alternative for long distance calls abroad.
Unless FSE sponsors something more economical and more efficient when making a SIP or VoIP call, then I'll switch.
You are free to use propietary software if you want (just as you can use cuffs if you want), but please do NOT tell you use proprietary software in this forum since it goes against the community guidelines.
>If That it is a price of my privacy I'm willing to sacrifice, , then let it be!
Privacy and freedom since it's proprietary software.
*Maybe* we don't have a skype replacement that meet your requirements yet, but even so, proprietary software is not an option on this forum. Please respect that.