In the first edition of Linux and Closed Source, I discussed nVidia’s closed source drivers. This edition will focus on the Voice-Over-IP application Skype. Skype was initially released in August of 2003, and in the 5 years since then it has becoming the most used VOIP software on any platform with over 300 million users worldwide. Telephones have even been built around the Skype technology, and eBay thought so much about the technology that they purchased it in 2005. Skype is closed source.
Most Linux users would rather pick software to use that is both free as in beer and free as in speech. Skype’s proprietary application and services are most free as in beer, but not free as in speech. Skype’s ability to connect with the telephone system is part of their premium package, but as I see it thats the only part of the Skype service that is not free. However, their software is not open source. On top of that, the versions they offer for Windows, Mac, and Linux are completely different versions. Windows users can choose to download version 3.8.0.154 for 2000, XP, and Vista or the latest beta version 4.0.0.161. Mac OS X users are limited to 2.7.0.330 while Linux users are limited to version 2.0.0.72. So, obviously Skype is focusing on Windows development at the moment because of Windows’ much larger marketshare and their ability to make money by doing so. Great, Skype is making money from their products.
But with the slow increase in market share being made by OS X and Linux, it seems as though Skype is leaving the two emerging powerhouses behind, positioning themselves with Windows support first and foremost and relegating OS X and Linux support to older versions that can’t take advantage of the latest advances in VOIP technology.
So, currently, Linux users are stuck with only minimal software (at least with version 2 they got webcams sort of working). OS X users get a somewhat less limited software, but if you want the full features of Skype, you have to use Windows. Would it be so much to ask for a single version for Windows, Mac, and Linux? Or even “Personal” and “Business” editions for all 3 OS’s. Sure, there are advantages and disadvantages. For instance, having every user on the same version would add stability to the overall service and cut down on support requests. It would also allow all users to access the same premium features they otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy. However, it would involve a lot more testing and a lot more time in order to make sure all the features worked across each Operating System. More developers might need to be hired who have worked specifically with OS X and Linux instead of strictly Windows.
While the best way to get the features into Linux is to open the source of the application, this would not make great business sense as others could reverse engineer Skype’s protocols for premium services. Conversely, Skype could open their non-premium protocols so others could make open source applications for the free Skype service And even if Skype were to open their premium protocols, they are still the ones controlling the service. So for now, open-source Skype doesn’t seem likely, but the least eBay could do is to catch up the users who don’t use Windows.
Comments always welcome.
I appreciate that things have been a bit quiet on the Linux front recently, but thought you might be interested in Ryan’s latest post on the Skype Linux blog – if you haven’t already seen it, of course!
Did you actually use it? There is no mention of the stability or interoperability with windows versions.
@bob:
Yes. I use the “medibuntu” package of Skype under Intrepid Ibex. Configuring sound to work is a bit of a pain, having to make multiple calls to the SkypeCall Testing Service. My new laptop’s builtin webcam is a little wonky with it, but I’m thinking thats more of a webcam driver issue at this point. As far as I know, there should be no interoperability problems with Windows users. I believe Skype’s service abstracts out the client when making a call. For instance, I have conference calls twice a month of so with the staff of Gaijinside (http://www.gaijinside.com/) and one guy has a mac, two guys have Windows PCs, and I’m running Ubuntu Linux. Except for the occasional “ok who’s causing that &$@% feedback turn down your mic!” glitches, it generally “just works.” Unfortunately, from an interoperability standpoint with other Linux applications (afaik Windows apps integrate ok) this is where Skype fails. Thanks for your post!
digital telephone systems today presents a great improvement overt the analog phone systems we used severa decades ago.:`