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Cross-Platform VoIP Software?

Posted by timothy on from the triplatform-at-least dept.

feilkin writes "With the release of Skype's Linux client, I'm wondering about alternatives. Namely, cross-platform solutions for voice communication. I've got friends who are using Windows, Linux and OSX, and I'm hoping that there is a way to communicate with all of them. I myself am using Linux, and I haven't been able to find any solutions that seem fitting to my situation completely. Does anyone have a solution that'll be useful on all three platforms, or solutions that may be coming in the near future?"

6 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. err... by errgh · · Score: 3, Insightful

    http://www.skype.com

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  2. Vonage by Gothmolly · · Score: 3, Insightful

    For 29.99 USD a month, Vonage is the way to go.
    No fscking around with codecs.
    No gcc bullshit.
    No patching, only to have an OS upgrade break your app.
    Pay for it, be done with it, move on. What's your life worth? Time = money.

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    1. Re:Vonage by dj245 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Unfortunately vonage requires lots of open ports. Many of these ports are now being camped out by worms and trojans, and are blocked by some ISPs (mine included). Vonage is completely useless on many ISPs due to port blocking of these worm ports.

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  3. TeamSpeak by Apreche · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sure, you can't talk to people who only have POTS.

    Sure, its designed to be used with online games.

    But really, its just IRC with voice. I talk to people in Australia with it all the time, for free. You can turn the bitrate down and even talk to people with dial-up. I usually just use gaim to tell someone "hey, join the teamspeak server, let's talk".

    Also, this way I don't have to remember phone numbers.

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  4. Re: software is lame by Elentar · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Walking around with your head crunched over onto your shoulder to squeeze the phone there, getting an ache in your ear from flattening it, and having to hold a cellular/cordless phone close to your head for hours-long conference calls all look very retarded to me. Having a quality headset (like those from Plantronics) and being able to use two hands, walk upright and avoid ear/headaches looks very smart.

    Of course, if you meant that wearing a stupid-looking headset looks retarded, you're absolutely right - just look at the enormous contraptions that Britney Spears, Garth Brooks, and all those other stage performers have to put up with. But regular users just wanting to have a conversation have a wide range of options, if they're willing to spend some money. Even Radio Shack has some decent choices.

    Personally, I like the trend toward USB headsets with built-in sound chips. It makes more sense to put the audio D/A hardware in the actual output device than in the computer, these days - keep it digital for as long as possible, preventing noise and cable mess.

    -Elentar

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  5. Re:SMTP by ZigMonty · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Uh huh... now explain to me how the "voice" part of the requirements is met, preferably in the same condescending tone.