Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Skype unleashes alpha v1.4 Linux VoIP client
May 04, 2007

Analysis -- Skype, the well-known VoIP (voice over IP) software provider, has never been known for its quickness in getting Linux releases out, but about a year after the company started work on Skype 1.3, it has announced the release of the alpha for Skype 1.4.

Make no mistake about it. This is an alpha release. Over on Windows, Skype is now up to version 3.1; and the newest Mac OS edition is a 2.6 beta.

The Linux Skype 1.4 alpha has numerous missing features such as contact list groups. It also does not have the ability to create new accounts and undelivered chat messages are not currently indicated. There is no packaged installation routine and the "/alertoff" command in chat doesn't work right. As if that weren't enough, this alpha doesn't support older Linuxes' OSS (Open Sound System) and the API (application programming interface) isn't available yet.

You can also expect to have trouble if you try to use audio device specific drivers. For Skype 1.4 alpha, you'll be better off sticking with your Linux's generic audio device driver.

The list of problems goes on and on. When they say alpha, they mean alpha. This is a release for Linux developers who live on the bleeding edge of technology, not users who like to balance precariously on technology's leading edge.

Why would you want to do this? Well, some of the upgrades from 1.3 sound quite promising. The user interface has been given a major overhaul, the audio quality has been improved, and calls are now contained in a separate window.

If you want to take Skype 1.4 out for a trial run, you'll need an ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)-supported sound device and a Linux that supports it. Most modern Linuxes, if not all, use ALSA now. You'll also need the glibc 2.4 library.

There are two versions of the program that are available for download. Both require you to have the sigc++ 2.0 library. That's the only additional requirement for the static version of the alpha.

To use the dynamic, or generic version, you must also have TrollTech's Qt 4.2.x. You'll need to keep your eyes and ears open for a couple of known problems. First, Qt 4.2.3 contains a bug that will cause expanded contact details to be displayed incorrectly. The Qt 4.3.0-beta does not work or play well with the Skype 1.4 client, and shouldn't be used at all in testing this alpha.


-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols




Related stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Italian carrier ships Linux MID
• 5-second Linux boots on low-powered hardware
• MontaVista "Summit" concludes
• Freescale to jettison cellular chip business
• Open-source server appliance is "free"
• MontaVista Linux drives Dell's quick-boot feature
• "Virtual platform" targets Linux device developers
• Mobile Linux platform supports Cortex-A8 SoC
• Linux design targets 802.11n-enabled homes
• Virtualization design targets wireless base stations
• Linux virtualization tech tapped for telematics
• Linux Foundation spins end-user conference
• First Atom-based Linux MID ships for $700
• ARM9 SoC targets Linux control applications
• Trolltech and Qtopia rev'd and renamed


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Open-source image editing project launches
• Linux Foundation launches end-user conference
• GNOME 2.24 gains "Empathy" IM
• gOS 3.0 goes gold
• Linux Foundation courts individual members
• Netbook version of Mandriva thinks small
• Mozilla removes EULA from Linux Firefox
• Ubuntu to fund Linux development
• Turkish Linux distro deemed ready for export
• Collaboration tool comes to Linux


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  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.