[Discuss] Skype alternatives

[Darren Duncan]

For some use cases, Google Hangouts worked as a Skype alternative for me. -- 
Darren Duncan

On 2014-08-29, 3:13 AM, Patrick wrote:
> 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.
>