Group: Skype Replacement

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(start filling in more sections of this page: list of clients, and headings for two points from the mailing list discussion)
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Skype Replacement is an item on the FSF's High Priority Projects list.
 
Skype Replacement is an item on the FSF's High Priority Projects list.
  
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== Protocol, not client ==
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We need to make the discussion about protocols, not clients, (think how people say "send me an email" rather than "send me a Hotmail").
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The primary functionality of Skype we aim to replace is real-time:
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* voice calls
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* video calls
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* text chat
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Anywhere over the internet (or beyond), with as many people per conversation, logging, etc. whatever other features (clarify this section as necessary).
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The free protocols currently available to do this are.
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{| border=1
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! Name !! Voice !! Video !! Text !! Notes
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|-
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| SIP
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|-
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| XMPP
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|-
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| Jingle
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|}
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== Central Registry? ==
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Apart from technical problems with free Skype replacements, there is a "network effect" problem preventing free protocols (and clients) becoming popular.
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This might be solved by ...?
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== Free clients ==
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{| border=1
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! Name !! SIP? !! XMPP? !! Jingle? !! Active development? !! Platforms !! License
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|-
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|Jitsi
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|-
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|Ekiga
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|-
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|Empathy
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|-
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|Psi
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|-
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|Yate
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|-
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|Mumble
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|-
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|Pidgin
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|-
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|Twinkle
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|}
 
== Personal experiences ==
 
== Personal experiences ==
  

Revision as of 16:33, 14 May 2012

Skype Replacement is an item on the FSF's High Priority Projects list.

Protocol, not client

We need to make the discussion about protocols, not clients, (think how people say "send me an email" rather than "send me a Hotmail").

The primary functionality of Skype we aim to replace is real-time:

  • voice calls
  • video calls
  • text chat

Anywhere over the internet (or beyond), with as many people per conversation, logging, etc. whatever other features (clarify this section as necessary).

The free protocols currently available to do this are.

Name Voice Video Text Notes
SIP
XMPP
Jingle

Central Registry?

Apart from technical problems with free Skype replacements, there is a "network effect" problem preventing free protocols (and clients) becoming popular. This might be solved by ...?


Free clients

Name SIP? XMPP? Jingle? Active development? Platforms License
Jitsi
Ekiga
Empathy
Psi
Yate
Mumble
Pidgin
Twinkle

Personal experiences

Ekiga

  • I have used Ekiga in the past and had good luck with it, but only with other Ekiga users on GNU/Linux -- Mattl 15:47, 14 May 2012 (EDT)

Jitsi

  • Successfully used to three-way audio-video chat with a pair of Mac users. H.264 only, but VP8 support soon! -- Mattl 15:47, 14 May 2012 (EDT)