Skype For Mac OS X and Linux 329
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)"
Conversation recording feature already included! (Score:5, Funny)
*rimshot*
Re:Conversation recording feature already included (Score:2)
Also, did you know that tin foil hats cause excessive sweating when hidden under a beanie?
Isn't this the KaZaa people though? (Score:2, Insightful)
So far the Mac OS X world has been generally free of spyware and malware. Looking at this Skype release, I feel like the Native Americans watching the first wave of pilgrims coming off the boat, smiling and wanting to trade smallpox-infected blankets with us.
Re:Isn't this the KaZaa people though? (Score:2, Informative)
NO spyware!
Adware, malware.
At least they use politically correct PNG files.
Re:Isn't this the KaZaa people though? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Isn't this the KaZaa people though? (Score:3, Informative)
These are the early Kazaa people... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:These are the early Kazaa people... (Score:3, Informative)
good step, almost there (Score:5, Informative)
I click on the links that say "Skype Me" but it does not seem to work?
Sorry, in some cases SkypeMe links do not currently work with Skype for Mac OS X.
Hopefully they can iron out that little quirk and we can get Skype everywhere. Now I'm going to have to check this thing out for myself!
Open VoIP standards are even better (Score:4, Insightful)
It's a pity that Skype doesn't comply with any. It's almost inevitable that they'll leverage for their own financial benefit their customer lockin at some point in the future, just like Microsoft do with their closed file formats.
Spyware (Score:3, Interesting)
My apologies for the lazy attitude today, but somebody had to ask.
Re:Spyware (Score:5, Insightful)
Spyware is Windows only... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Spyware (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Spyware (Score:2)
Install Adbar [squarefree.com] now!
Re:Spyware (Score:2)
I don't think his point is that there couldn't be spyware on either platform; just that as a practical matter there isn't any (yet).
What spyware? (Score:4, Interesting)
I would much rather you have said "yes you are naive, here are a list of Spyware apps for Linux and Mac." Instead you basically said "Yes it's possible to get spyware on your Mac or Linux box if someone bothered to code it and someone went around their ass to get to their elbow." What kind of logic is that? There is no rock hard evidence that either platform has any kind of penetration into spyware common on the PC.
PS, I just googled spyware for mac [google.com] and found discussions on spyware, adds for PC spyware, and a mac company I'd never heard before with a broken website that promise a list of mac spyware "coming soon" and a forum that hasn't been updated by anyone in the company for over 6 months.
Re:Spyware (Score:5, Informative)
NO
Spyware
Adware
Malware
Re:Spyware (Score:2)
Re:Spyware (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Spyware (Score:2)
Nope.. (Score:2, Informative)
I've been using it for over a year now and it's been spyware-free from the start.
I've had some small problems with 1.0 releases... (Score:4, Informative)
I have noticed some problems though with both the 1.0.0.1 release of Linux and OS X's 1.0.0.0. I would think it's my machine only, but testing Skype requires (okay there is that echo account for testing, but you know what I mean) others, and others ahve been having problems too.
In Linux, I've had problems getting conferencing working properly, when using a USB headset (/dev/dsp1), rings are not heard on the
In the 1.0 Mac version, someone who I was talking to suddenly cut out. Turned out Skype crashed on 'em. I also had some conferencing issues on my mac.
Overall however, skype is great. The fact that you can do conferencing + IMs and voice chat is encrypte is a big plus. the sound quality is great as well. Congrats Skype!
Gentoo users-- 1.0 was in ~arch this morning!
W
Re:I've had some small problems with 1.0 releases. (Score:5, Funny)
Can I interest you in a "fantastic" used car?
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Stop spreading FUD (Score:3, Informative)
I Just Recorded A Skype Conversation Today (Score:5, Informative)
use Wiretap. Worked like a charm, creates a nice
Re:I Just Recorded A Skype Conversation Today (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I Just Recorded A Skype Conversation Today (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I Just Recorded A Skype Conversation Today (Score:3, Informative)
M.G.L 272, Section 99 [mass.gov] (sorry if the format is wrong, don't have my bluebook handy)
[Statute]
Definitions
1. The term "wire communication" means any communication made in whole or in part through the use of facilities for the transmission of communications by the aid of wire, cable, or other like connection between the point of origin and the point of reception.
2. The term "oral communication" means speech, except such speech as is transmitted
Re:I Just Recorded A Skype Conversation Today (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:I Just Recorded A Skype Conversation Today (Score:3, Informative)
http://www.rcfp.org/taping/quick.html [rcfp.org]
re: recording feature (Score:5, Informative)
Just a thought...
Conversation Recording... (Score:5, Informative)
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/ [rcfp.org].
What the hell? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What the hell? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Untrue, there are no girls on Linux.
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:What the hell? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:3, Funny)
"and using it to talk to the girl on my Mac."
the big deal is that in this version... she talks back!
Re:What the hell? (Score:4, Funny)
Hope they fix that in the next version ;)
Skype box (Score:5, Informative)
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).
First thoughts... (Score:3, Informative)
- Password can't have characters (boo)
- Birthdate has to be MM/DD/YY instead of MM/DD/YYYY
Now... I have to find someone to call for free...
Legal? (And, remember Google) (Score:5, Interesting)
It all depends on the location of each caller... (Score:5, Informative)
"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.
OK if your calling other skype users. (Score:3, Informative)
If you don't use it that much then Skype might be a better deal.
Re:OK if your calling other skype users. (Score:3, Informative)
Really great service
Re:OK if your calling other skype users. (Score:2)
Bluetooth? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Bluetooth? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Bluetooth? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Bluetooth? (Score:2)
Bravo! (Score:5, Informative)
Experiences: Downloaded their version from skype.com. Ran it. It instantly hung on the registration screen. Ran it as root, and that worked.
Then realized that it was in Gentoo's portage. Emerged it. It started OK, but crashed immediately upon trying to make a call.
Went back to the first version I had downloaded, running as root, and everything worked fine!
Normally, there's little I hate more than running closed-source software as root, but I'll forgive them this time since 1) it's a beta, 2) they're bringing a valuable service to Linux, and 3) from what I can tell, they are a reputable company with a reputation to tarnish if it did something bad to my box. (Also, my personal box isn't *that* important anyway, and could be re-installed worst case scenario.)
I will try this new version tonight. If the issues are fixed and I can run as non-root, I'll be very happy! If not, I'll be mildly annoyed but still thankful.
Thanks Skype.
Re:Bravo! (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Bravo! (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Bravo! (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Bravo! (Score:2)
ROTFL
I'm not sure even your Jesus can help you.
WATFME
Interoperability is good (Score:5, Interesting)
Does anyone know what's happened to the Helix grant that was supposed to bring VoIP to Jabber last year. https://jabber.helixcommunity.org/ [helixcommunity.org]
Re:Interoperability is good (Score:2)
Must be vapor.
requires qt 3.2 (Score:2)
Time to change to Fedora Core 3, I guess
Skype and Chat on OS X (Score:3, Interesting)
Granted, we used it on a very basic level...simply for online chat. I'm looking forward to bigger and better uses, especially loading it onto a wifi-enabled PDA and using it as a "cell phone".
Zaurus? (Score:2)
Re:Zaurus? (Score:2)
It's a possibility though, watch this space.
Yet again (Score:2)
Re:Yet again (Score:2)
They then sold it too some other evil company that added more and more spyware each version.
If I'm not mistaken, the original kazaa merely had harmless ads.
Don't confuse the original kazaa with its' current beastly incarnation!
I remember my first time using kazaa/morpheus, it was quite cool.
Those guys sold kazaa and went on to develop this more legit app, and the world is better for it, I believe.
Recording Skype calls (Score:4, Interesting)
Old news? (Score:4, Informative)
This seems like old news to me.
Btw, the way they achieve cross platform is they use the QT libraries from Trolltech, of KDE fame.
Excellent! (Score:2)
I'll be happy when they introduce ALSA support.
No Spyware (Score:4, Informative)
Re:No Spyware (Score:3, Informative)
Awwww.....Just rpms? (Score:2)
Re:Awwww.....Just rpms? (Score:2)
Olympia Cordless for Linux???? (Score:2)
Now that Linux is supported, will the Olympia be usable with Linux and in the USSA???
Credit Card Issues (Score:3, Informative)
I have also been using SkypeOut, their 1.7 Euro cent/minute (2.2 US cents). SkypeOut has saved me a lot of cash, both in international calls from home and when making calls from hotels when traveling. Yep, Skype gets out of the usually heavily blocked hotel networks! So instead of being stuck paying exorbitant hotel long distance rates I pay the standard SkypeOut rate. Awesome!
Except.... Skype now refuses to take my credit card to buy more pre-paid SkypeOut credit. I've tried 3 different cards, all of which work on Amazon US and Japan as well as various other sites. No go.
Anyone else have the same problems?
Re:Credit Card Issues (Score:2)
If it helps at all... I'm a Canadian, using a Scotiabank Visa card (with Secured by Visa activated). I would suggest just trying a few more times, and seeing if you can get it through.
Re:Credit Card Issues (Score:2)
I'm also a Canadian, but now living in Japan. My Royal Bank Visa was rejected by Skype, as were both Japan-issued cards I have.
I'll try again later with the Canadian card!! If it goes through I'll buy a bunch at once and hope to not have to go through this again for a while...
Re:Credit Card Issues (Score:3, Informative)
Yes, I have the same problem, so no Skypeout for me. If you check the Skypeout forum [skype.com] you'll see that many other people have this problem, and that the Skype people don't seem to have any solution.
Skype is missing out on a lot of revenue (Score:3, Informative)
I personally know of several people who could not use their credit cards at Skype. Its a shame.
I personally have had mixed results. Sometimes my credit cards work and sometimes they dont. I have never had this sort of trouble with an online vendor before.
.torrent (Score:2, Informative)
skype-1.0.0.1.torrent [128.189.162.104]
Supporting four platforms with good native UIs (Score:5, Interesting)
I've been using Skype for Mac for a little while now, and I'm impressed with the quality of the UI on Mac OS X, and the fact that they're supporting four (count them, four) platforms with fully native interfaces on each platform. That's not something to sneeze at (we have enough problems with two where I work). These guys seem to really get attention to detail.
Just the fact that they can afford to do the UIs as well as they have, as fast as they have, hints at how lucrative their SkypeOut business is.Re:Clarification? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Clarification? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Clarification? (Score:2)
UNFAIR MODERATION (Score:2, Offtopic)
Re:cmon (Score:2)
Re:The site ISN'T slashdotted. (Score:2)
You know what, you're right -- I guess that line of thinking DID merit a troll mod and your jackass reply. What was I thinking???
Re:The site ISN'T slashdotted. (Score:2)
Hey, you know what? Maybe all Slashdot articles should just list the name of the product from now on! Then users can go to Google News [google.com] to find out what news is out there for the product!
Think of the benefits!
1) Slashdot bandwidth will be spared.
2) Time to post new articles will be decreased significantly.
3) Google traffic will increase, raising the stock price.
Really, it would be a win-win situation! And nobody would ever feel justified asking for more info ever again!
Re:Closed Source Encryption (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Recording Legality. (Score:2)
Tape-recording laws at a glance [rcfp.org]
In California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington, IT IS ILLEGAL to record conversations without the consent of ALL parties involved.
And if you are engaging in a telephone conversation across state lines, you are subject to federal regulations as well.
Re:Recording Legality. (Score:2)
You are correct that several states do have additional laws in place, however, not all of them mentioned need all parties involved to be aware. Some are "two-party" regulations where two of people in the conversation need know, even if it's a three way call.
At least ac [pimall.com]
Depends on location (Score:3, Informative)
In some places you have to inform all other parties that you are recording.
In some places you actually have to get the explicit consent of all other parties.
In yet others you can do what you suggest -- freely record any conversation you are directly involved in.
As for if Skype will implement recording or not, it doesn't really matter. There are lots of 3rd party apps that will record any audio stream.
Re:BeOS (Score:5, Funny)
Re:BeOS (Score:4, Funny)
Re:forgive me for asking but... (Score:3, Interesting)
I would not have even started using it, but the alternatives (linphone, kphone, gnome-meeting, etc) either had to have ports opened on the firewalls of both parties involved in communication, or wouldn't work at all unless DMZ'ed (h323 wont work behind firewalls gnome-meeting/netmeeting).
This is a big deal to mostly due to the possibility of talking to non-geeks, you know, people who don't know what ports are, unless you count thos
Re:ALSA (Score:3, Informative)
Re:hold on a sec... (Score:3, Interesting)
Between Adium [adiumx.com] for MSN, Skype for outgoing calls (from me when I needed to make them, and incoming calls from my friends who all were on skype), and email I had my communication covered.
This also had the only slightly intended benefit of freeing me from having to rush to answer the phone, ever, or having annoying group members be able to call me. Depending on how you choose to live your life, you don't have to be at anyone's call. You're n