[Discuss] Skype alternatives

[Patrick]

Since Microsoft bought Skype, I've been skeptical about its
continued reliability.  This was confirmed recently, in a minor
way [the latest version won't work without PulseAudio, but the
Skype package does not depend on it; it just silently fails to
work [silence being the operative word, here].  Previous
versions of Skype are no longer allowed to connect, btw].

That's only a minor setback, but I expect things to get worse,
not better over time.  After all, they're more interested in
putting Windows on smart-phones than maintaining a free [as in
beer] online calling service.

So I've been looking at Linphone.  Does anyone know of a good
SIP trunk provider?  Eg, something I could use to call normal
phones.  That's what I've mainly used Skype for anyway; I don't
have a long-distance plan, and until now wasn't inclined to get
one.

Cheap, worldwide, reliable -- pick any two?  Or can you get all
three?

Actually, it doesn't even need to be worldwide; decent North
American coverage would be plenty.

Something cell providers generally treat as a *local* incoming
would also be nice.  Seems unlikely, but it would be nice.

And if I can take incoming phone-calls on my laptop, I might drop
Telus altogether.  Not essential, but that would be even nicer.

If this works out, I might even get an Android phone -- if only
to install Linphone on it.  ;-)


Thanks,
Patrick.
-- 
"I am surrounded by priests who repeat incessantly
 that their kingdom is not of this world, and yet
 they lay their hands on everything they can get."
		-- Napoleon Bonaparte