[Discuss] Skype alternatives

[George Farris]

Try Viber

Haven't actually used it for video but otherwise it's good


On Fri, 2014-08-29 at 03:28 -0700, Darren Duncan wrote:
> 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.
> >
> 
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