Free Linux software for net-based phone and conference calls available for download

Keywords: Match:

Jun. 21, 2004

The people who launched the popular KaZaA peer-to-peer (P2P) program have announced a free download of their new software that lets users make free phone calls over the Internet. Today the group's new venture, Skype Technologies, launched the first beta version of Skype, their software for Linux desktops.

Like KaZaA, Skype uses P2P technology to connect users. Instead of swapping files, this time users from around the globe can talk and chat for free.

Calling itself the Global P2P Internet Telephony Company, Skype says they offer consumers the ability to make free "good quality" phone calls and teleconferences using both broadband and dial-up connections. Skype's easy-to-use software is said to allow users to make calls anywhere worldwide just minutes after installation.

Talking to Forbes magazine about Skype in February, Michael Powell, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said, "I knew it was over when I downloaded Skype. When the inventors of KaZaA are distributing for free a little program that you can use to talk to anybody else, and the quality is fantastic, and it's free -- it's over. The world will change now inevitably."

Unlike competitors, Skype works with any firewall and network address translation (NAT). The company addresses security by encrypting the call from "end-to-end" for privacy. Although other vendors also offer software for making free Internet calls, Skype's free trial and simplicity are helping to accelerate Skype's adoption.

Skype for Linux requires a computer with at least a 400 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 10 MB free hard drive disk space, sound card, speakers, microphone, and an Internet connection. SuSE 9, Gentoo 1.4, Debian, Fedora Core 2, and Sun Java Desktop System Release 2 are among the distributions tested on the Skype Linux beta, according to the company. A headset is recommended.

Skype for Linux beta supports both the KDE and Gnome desktop managers. A user guide and FAQ detail all requirements.

According to the company, the software will not be released as open source. However, it is available for free download and will remain free for Skype-to-Skype calls.

The Linux version supports free Skype-to-Skype worldwide calling, the ability to participate in conference calling with up to 5 people, instant messaging, and access to the Global Directory. Skype for Linux beta users can participate in conference calls as a client and can see all the conference participants, but cannot currently host conferences.

SkypeOut, a premium service that allows callers to use Skype to make regular telephone calls, is not yet available for Linux. That service is currently available exclusively through Plantronics. With a headset purchase, customers receive a free promotional voucher for the service. SkypeOut will soon be available to all Skype users, according the company's forums.

The company has also stated plans to develop another subscription service, called SkypeIn, which will allow people to call Skype users from a regular phone line. Subscribers are issued a Skype phone number and callers can reach them directly from a regular Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) phone.

According to recent research from the Palo Alto-based Radicati Group, up to 44 percent of the world's corporate telephone lines may be IP-based by 2008. The Group says that falling equipment costs and better integration with existing TDM-based telephony systems will boost adoption of voice over IP (VoIP) technology.

Skype software also supports Microsoft's Windows and Pocket PC operating systems.

The company claims over 14 million downloads for Skype since its launch in August 2003.

Download the software here.

Related Stories:

(Click here for further information)

Approaching the Linux Desktop
The purpose of this paper is to help organizations evaluate the Linux desktop against their own enterprise needs and discover what benefits the Linux desktop might bring to their organizations.

Migrating To Linux: Application Challenges and Solutions
Several solutions exist to help organizations migrate in an orderly fashion from Windows to Linux desktops. This paper establishes the characteristics of an ideal cross-platform solution and reviews these alternatives in light of this ideal standard. The paper takes a closer look at the pros and cons of various solutions and outlines the business benefits that can be achieved.

Linux Advantages: Publicly Available Information on Linux Software
This paper offers a brief summary of readily-available Linux information to help businesses sort out this widely misunderstood operating system.

Top 5 Strategies for Managing Linux
Despite continuous evolution in the manageability of Linux, a 2006 survey cited manageability concerns as a top reason why organizations are hesitating to adopt Linux. Levanta believes Linux can be as manageable, if not more so, than other operating systems by following key strategies. These strategic recommendations were developed from experiences in numerous customer environments, both large and small.

Why Choose Novell for Linux?
This paper outlines the benefits of switching to the Linux platform and choosing Novell as a high-performance, enterprise solution.

Enterprise Linux Selection Guide
Considering moving your enterprise to the Linux operating system? Since there are so many similar versions, choosing the right one can be tough. This paper offers a clear process to help you make an informed decision and get the features, support, and cost that are right for your business and technical needs.

Overcoming Challenges in Managing Linux
Levanta has created a new administration model with innovative technology that breaks down the barriers to making the most of Linux systems. This paper will provide an in-depth look at the workings of Levanta’s product, the first Linux appliance of its kind.

SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 for Retail Businesses
Discover why major retailers have switched to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in the back office. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a low-cost desktop that offers a complete set of productivity applications and interoperates seamlessly with the other Windows, Macintosh and UNIX desktops in your store.

Moving to a Linux Desktop
Migrating from Windows to Linux on the desktop can be a substantial undertaking because it has the potential for touching -- and perhaps disrupting -- every user in your organization. Unlike a data center (server and infrastructure) migration that is largely transparent to users, the cultural and administrative transitions and environment readiness required to support a Linux desktop migration are extensive.

Seven Good Reasons to Exchange Exchange
This paper describes seven compelling reasons why you should switch from Exchange to Scalix.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Popular recent stories: • Lightweight GNOME alternative emerges • Linux gains action RPG • World's cheapest Linux-based laptop? • WiFi software arrives on Linux desktops • BeOS-like distro focused on content creation • Graphics board vendor touts faster Linux drivers • Linux mini-PC takes two Watts to tango • Hats off to Fedora 9 • Debian looks to launch lenny in Sept. All-time Classics: • Choosing a desktop Linux distro • Banshee -- the next best thing to Linux iTunes • The Best Free Desktop Linux . . . and how to make it better • Running World of Warcraft on Ubuntu • Linux-powered Asus Eee PC mini-laptop arrives • A simple Linux backup method • The well-tempered Debian desktop • What's the best Linux for beginners? • VirtualBox: The best virtualization program you've never heard of • Getting to know Puppy Linux • Xandros 4: The best desktop Linux for Windows users	Desktop Linux books Join our Desktop Linux discussion forums: • Moving to Linux • Linux/Windows debate! • Linux Q&A . . . and more

BREAKING NEWS

• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops
• Unified communications groupware comes to Linux
• Lightweight GNOME alternative emerges
• Freespire lives! Goes back to Debian
• gOS 3.0 goes Gadget crazy
• WiFi software arrives on Linux desktops
• Lenovo launches a netbook
• vi guide rev'd
• Netbooks grow two ways
• Is KDE back? 4.1 launches
• Moblin switching from Ubuntu to Fedora
• Debian looks to launch lenny in Sept.

Linux-Watch headlines:
• Linux switch vendor sued over GPL
• Judge Kimball rules -- the sequel!
• Microsoft tactics push India toward Linux
• Bell, SuperMicro sued over GPL
• "Business intelligence" software goes GPL
• Will Atom bomb?
• LF Summit videos posted
• Linux gains "embedded" maintainers
• Virtualization on tap in SLES and RHEL upgrades
• Linux gets security black eye

Visit the...

news feed

Home \| News \| Articles \| Forum \| Polls \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Home \| News \| Articles \| Forum \| Polls \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.