Linux-Friendly Alternatives To Skype

jfruhlinger writes "When Microsoft bought Skype, Linux and Mac users were assured that their platforms wouldn't be neglected — but you can understand why they might be a bit suspicious. Steven Vaughan-Nichols has compiled a list of five Linux-friendly alternatives — do you know of any others?"

Comments

Re:Sky .NET

[hairyfeet]

Not to mention this is a PERFECT example of why MSFT should NOT support Linux users! I mean here it is, the program works just fine, MSFT says they'll continue to support it, and what happens? "ZOMG teh M$ pwns it, we must switch NOW!"

I mean why the fuck should MSFT bother keeping the thing running, especially when Torvalds annual 6 month kernel screwing means you have to keep a cadre of developers working on NOTHING but keeping the Linux client going, when every Linux zealot is gonna be screaming from the rafters to have the thing removed?

In the end it is just another perfect example of why NO proprietary company should support Linux ever. Those that simply want an alternative OS have been pushing out by the zealots, who believe anything that isn't "free as in freedom and beer!" is the devil and must be destroyed. In the end you have a teeny tiny market controlled by zealots that have made it clear if MSFT gave away candy and beer they'd be standing by the cart throwing it into the ditch to keep anyone from being "poisoned" be teh evil M$, so why bother? That goes for Photoshop, games, hell anything that refuses to hand over any and all code, they simply don't want you there, so why waste the effort?

So I predict this will be a classic self fulfilling prophecy. The zealots will push for its banning and/or removal, it will require constant updating because from the kernel on up Linux shifts around more than any OS BAR NONE, and the Linux users, what few there were, will drop off the face of the earth, because they would rather deal with some half baked PITA mess of a "solution" rather than let ANYTHING owned by "M$" anywhere near their system, so MSFT will see the money is being pissed down a drain, quit supporting it, and all those like the Nichols troll (who is right up there with Thurott on the Windows side when it comes to trolling) will say "See? I TOLD YOU teh M$ would dump you!"

So enjoy throwing out something that works for a half baked royal PITA simply because its "free as in freedom!" Linux guys, but don't bitch when no proprietary company will touch you with a 50 foot pole, or that the "must haves" like Skype and Netflix won't run on your OS. You brought it upon yourselves.

Re:Sky .NET

[hairyfeet]

Thank you! And notice how anyone who dares to not suckle the kool aid gets labeled troll or flamebait? As you pointed out the very first post and hundreds after it were "ZOMG dump Skype NOW!" and then the community has the unmitigated gall to bitch when proprietary companies won't support them? Why should they, when you treat them like lepers?

Frankly they can waste their mod points ALL THEY WANT but there is nothing i find more disgusting than hypocrites and right now the Linux community is overflowing with them. What do they say in many a post? "If proprietary companies would only support us too we would buy from them!" and then what do they do "ZOMG Its teh M$! They won't give uz teh codez and they will set trapz RUN AWAY!"

What did they say about hardware? "If the companies would release the code we would buy AND support them wholeheartedly!" So what happened when AMD actually did what the "community" asked and opened up every damned bit of code as fast as they could get the lawyers to sign off? "You should buy Intel and Nvidia if you run Linux" even though Nvidia ain't giving you shit and Intel has been going PowerVR which don't support Linux!

In the end while I can support (even if I don't agree with) RMS because the man has consistently walked the walk as well as talked the talk, frankly if the community were any more full of shit you could solve the energy crisis just by squeezing them! Lies, bullshit, hypocrisy, elitism and FUD, those words sum up the current community IMHO pretty damned well.

You expect the whole damned world to bend over backwards to accommodate you, even when the numbers aren't there to make it worth the effort, and then when a company DOES reach out, or do as you ask? You are more than happy to shit on them or buy from the competition who gives you the finger.

No damned wonder Linux is such a niche OS, with no support or retail presence, you go out of your way to ensure nobody wants anything to do with you! Now watch them waste mod points because they know my words are 100% correct. That is the thing about hypocrites, always ready to shit on others rather than take a good hard look in the mirror. But if after 20 years you have less users than JavaME? It is high time the community asks itself "What are we doing wrong?" and I'd say making sure no proprietary company will have a damned thing to do with your OS is a start.