[Fsuk-manchester] Software Freedom Day: Hunt for Skype alternatives

[Dan MacDonald]

Linphone is the only FLOSS VoIP/vidfone app I've ever had decent
results with but it uses SIP and many routers are funny with SIP so
they often require config to work well with SIP. Anything that
requires people start configuring network gear is instantly not
consumer friendly if not a prob for most Linux/*nix users. The main
prob with Linphone is it lacks encryption, or it did last time I
checked.

I've ended up just using Gtalk which seems to be using webrtc as its
backend now. gtalk is non-free but webrtc is at least an open standard
unlike Skype and there are FLOSS webrtc clients (some HTML5) in
development.

On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 1:55 PM, Sam Tuke <samtuke at fsfe.org> wrote:
> Hello all, this Saturday Free Software activists will determine the easiest
> ways of chatting using Free Software audio and video programs. We'll be
> testing out a variety of applications, including Pidgin, Empathy, and Kopete.
>
> The core group of testers will be in Madlab Hackerspace in Manchester, but
> *anyone can participate* - join the #FSFE IRC channel on Freenode to find
> people to test chatting with, and see what still needs testing (email
> manchester at lists.fsfe.org if you need help getting access to IRC).
>
> The aim is to publish the results as a compatibility chart that will show at a
> glance the easiest way to chat. As many Free Software users still use Skype
> due to confusion surrounding Free Software alternatives, our research will
> hopefully be very useful to a variety of individuals and organisations.
>
> *Activity outline*
>
> - Testing takes place on 15.09.12 at 14.00-17.00 UK time (15.00-18.00 CEST)
> - Use a grid of Free Software chat programs for collecting our findings
> - Test as many chat clients as possible (eg. Pidgin, Psi)
> - For each combination of programs test whether voice chat and video
>   works (people without webcams can still test voice chat)
>
> *Optional additional tests*
>
> - Try connecting to other people at madlab, and also try
>   connecting to people in other countries
> - Test the Free Software clients with different operating
>   systems if people bring them installed on laptops
> - Test different versions of chat clients (not just the latest release)
>
> *Requirements*
>
> - Bring your own laptop (some older laptops will be available to borrow)
> - Your laptop should have either a built in microphone, a separate microphone,
>   or mic headset
>
> *Optional Requirements*
>
> - Built in, or stand-alone webcam
>
> Three separate Free Software and GNU/Linux groups will be meeting in MadLab on
> Saturday: Manchester FSFE Fellowship Group, Manchester Free Software, and
> ManLUG. Other activities will likely be available in addition to chat testing,
> so feel free to come along and see what you fancy.
>
> MadLab event page: http://madlab.org.uk/content/fsfe-manchester-free-software-
> and-manlug/
>
> "See" you there (one way or another :) ),
>
> Sam.
> --
> Sam Tuke
> Campaign Manager
> Free Software Foundation Europe
> IM : samtuke at jabber.fsfe.org
> Latest UK Free Software news: uk.fsfe.org
> Is freedom important to you? Join the fellowship.fsfe.org
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