Skype to be renamed Microsoft Windows 7 LiveMeeting Communicator VideoChatMediaCenter

[Lemur]

Hmmm.

Hey guys n gals, question. I've been using Pidgin for MSN since WLM doesn't let me change my display name (it's tied to your full name). After reading about this purchase by Skype, I wanted to ask: is there any similar FOSS analogue for Skype?

Meanwhile, I hear the Linux natives banging their drums in the jungle night. They speak of a new king, named Ekiga, who still rules in the wilds, free from the Redmond colonists. Anybody tried it? Any good?

[vartan]

Sorry I thought that meant Linux-only. Cheers.

EDIT: Nevermind. Looks like it don't work with Skype 'cause Skype keeps their protocol proprietary. Bummer.

[Lemur]

EDIT: Nevermind. Looks like it don't work with Skype 'cause Skype keeps their protocol proprietary. Bummer.

Right, but I don't see how this is a problem. You and the person you want to talk to will both need Ekiga just as you would both need Skype. Difference being, since it's open-source, no corporation can buy it and create platform lock, as I fear Microsoft will be tempted to do with Skype.

[Tellos Athenaios]

For linux there is: http://www.xs4all.nl/~mfnboer/twinkle/index.html but basically what you are probably (never having used Skype myself) looking for is a softphone SIP client.

EDIT: And of course there are various XMPP clients which can do VoIP.

[vartan]

Right, but I don't see how this is a problem. You and the person you want to talk to will both need Ekiga just as you would both need Skype. Difference being, since it's open-source, no corporation can buy it and create platform lock, as I fear Microsoft will be tempted to do with Skype.

I understand, thank you, and sorry. I was simply hoping to find software that would let you communicate with Skype users just as there are AIM-compliant messengers that are not AIM...