Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Skype For Mac OS X and Linux

Posted by timothy on from the say-hi dept.

Pablo Martinez-Almeida writes "Skype has just announced full versions of its software for Mac OS X and for Linux. Now I'm only waiting for some conversations recording feature. (via Om Malik on broadband)"

6 of 329 comments (clear)

  1. Conversation recording feature already included! by GMFTatsujin · · Score: 5, Funny

    All it takes is a moment to fill out the Freedom of Information Act forms.

    *rimshot*

  2. Conversation Recording... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    ... is always going to be problematic given the legal implications. Different states have different laws, and things only get worse once you factor in the international implications. (Come to the EU and you have to deal with data protection problems as well as interception of communications problems.) So I don't see Skype offering this anytime soon.

    The Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press has a superb guide ("Can we tape?") to state and federal laws: http://www.rcfp.org/taping/.

  3. Skype box by Nik13 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Although I don't use it on Linux or Mac OS X, Skype works pretty well, voice quality is good, and the NAT traversal is nice - not so much with me, but it saves me from guiding technology-challenged family members and friends through opening ports in their firewall/router, having them read the screen out loud for you can't guess what options are on the screen (quite a pain).

    But the nicest thing I did is buy a Skype box (the kind that plugs in your RJ11 and phone "passing thru" the POTS, and the USB port plugs to your PC, allowing you to use a real phone on skype - including having the phone ring (don't have to leave your 5.1 channel set of speakers on in case the "phone" would ring, no need turn monitor on and fumble with all that to take the call). It lets one dial out skype contacts easily too (my 53yo mom can make skype calls with it without having the slightest idea of how it all works).

    It's great overall, however it's a bit more complicated, especially given that my "POTS" line is actually coming from a VoIP box. So I have an extra digit to dial on all numbers (1 then the number) for the VoIP box, and the Skype box has some buttons too. Not really hard, just slightly inconvenient, but great savings and features.

    I wonder if those USB Skype box thingies will also work with Linux or Mac OS X, they're worth it (unlike the USB Skype phones with a short cord that looks like from a dollar store).

    --
    ///<sig />
  4. Re:I've had some small problems with 1.0 releases. by winkydink · · Score: 5, Funny
    Help me understand. It crashed, you can't hear the phone ring and it only draws 1/2 the screen and it's "great"???

    Can I interest you in a "fantastic" used car?

    :)

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  5. Re:What the hell? by Stween · · Score: 5, Funny

    I fail to see the worthiness of your post; you only wanted to shout about having a "girl". As if such things exist...

  6. It all depends on the location of each caller... by xtrvd · · Score: 5, Informative

    From http://www.pimall.com/nais/n.recordlaw.html

    "The federal law makes it unlawful to record telephone conversations except in one party consent cases which permit one party consent recording by state law. What that means is a person can record their own telephone conversations without the knowledge or consent of the other party in those states that allow one party consent."

    There are twelve states that require all party consent. They are:

    California
    Connecticut
    Delaware
    Florida
    Illinois
    Maryland
    Massachusetts
    Michigan
    Montana
    New Hampshire
    Pennsylvania
    Washington

    See the above URL for other state restrictions.