How to Install Goober in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal (+ 10.10)?

Although it maybe true that when it comes to VOIP, Skype is one of the best (if not the best). But with recent changes such as Microsoft acquiring it + even without that "incident", still in the past Skype team wasn't that interested in GNU/Linux users because it took them more than a year to come up with the last update for GNU/Linux the version 2.2.

So I think its about time that we start searching for other "options" or alternatives. But I humbly like to say that when doing so we should try to go for GNU VOIP solution, Free software (free as in Freedom) rather than empthasizing on another Proprietary software that we as the GNU/Linux geek community don't have the authority.

Because whenever we choose a proprietary software means that we're putting our trust in "individuals" who don't have the same interests as we are thus we'll always end up in the same situation as we are now with Skype (lazy updates, etc).

Well, after than "little talk", I don't think I can brag much about Goober, so I'll try to brief you as best as I can :/.

Goober is mainly an instant messaging client written in Qt4 toolkit that supports the major IM protocols such as...

*. MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk, Jabber, ICQ and AIM.

*. Except from the messaging abilities it also has a VOIP of its own, so you can also chat (audio/video) up to HD resolutions - 970x720 at max.

*. Send SMS (not free, but for a small cost).

*. Transfer files. 

*. Take Screenshots.

*. Supports the SIP

*. You can also integrate your Facebook and Twitter accounts and chat with your buddies via the Goober GUI as well.

*. Skin-able interface.

*. No plug-in support currently.

Although the application is a bit new (at least it is for my knowledge) and as said before it's not an OpenSource or GNU/GPL licensed software, another proprietary utility. I don't have a web-cam (what! :/), so I have no idea of the actual performance.

Anyhow, you can install Goober messenger 3.0 and VOIP client in Ubuntu 11.04 natty narwhal (should also work in 10.10 too) by downloading the package from here and once the downloading is complete, double click on the file and follow the onscreen details. Good luck.

How To Install Skype in Fedora 15?

Despite the fact the Microsoft recently purchased Skype... yet it is one of the most widely used VOIP applications in the GNU/Linux community without a doubt. As with Ubuntu, installing Skype in Fedora Core ain't that hard actually. All you gotta do is just download the package from official Skype page and double click on it to install.

Or you can use the previously mentioned Easy Life GUI tool that lets you install almost all major proprietary software in Fedora Core 15 with ease.  If you're a total GNU/Linux geek, then you can ditch Skype and install the cool SFLPhone (a simple yet powerful VOIP utility) but if your "partner" at the other end doesn't have it... well then, it's pretty much useless.

Anyhow, if you want to install the latest beta version of Skype for GNU/Linux (2.2) in Fedora Core 15, then first download the package from here and simply double click on it and follow the instructions. That's it!.

Does Skype Keep Aborting After Logging in (Under GNU/Linux)?

Although I don't use Skype at all yet there have been a bit of a discussion especially concerning Skype 2.2.0.25 keep crashing (although many refer to its as a crash, it seems what really happens is that it simply being aborted within the console) under GNU/Linux, MS Windows and even on Mac OSX as well.

Even Skype developers themselves quoted concerning the issue by saying...

"A small number of you may have had problems signing in to Skype. This predominantly affects people using Skype for Windows. We have identified the problem and will issue a fix in the next few hours."  

Source: Skype (read this for instructions on how to fix it under all the operating systems, until they officially fix it).

So in GNU/Linux this is what seems to be happening. Once you log-in to their VOIP servers using your user name and password... then within like 5-6 seconds Skype automatically log-out/exist it self automatically!. For some, a re-installation seems to be the answer but for most it will not fix it.

What the Skype! :)...

But luckily, there is a way to fix this which I saw when reading this ask Ubuntu post. So, until the developers fix this annoying bug, if you use Ubuntu or any other GNU/Linux distribution and experiencing this "tragic" :) issue, then this is how you can fix it.

Open your Terminal and enter the below command.

rm ~/.Skype/shared.xml

Now re-login to your online Skype VOIP account... if everything went well, it should be fixed. 

1. Okay, for the sake of completion :)... under MS Windows, simply delete the below file.

c:\Documents and Settings\*user*\Application Data\Skype\shared.xml

2. In Mac OSX, use the below command.

rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Skype/shared.xml

GNU SIP Witch 1.0 Is Out!

I think most know that very recently Microsoft purchased Skype. This is good news for Microsoft users (only in a way) but for GNU/Linux fans, even before this "purchase" Skype support for GNU/Linux was somewhat: lazy. Although they updated their MS Windows client regularly, but for the latest version 2.2 (still in beta) for GNU/Linux, it took them almost two years to complete that!.

So even before MS coming into the picture GNU community emphasized a truly open VOIP solution of their own and according to a major contributor to GNU, David Sugar, they've released the first official 1.0 version of the GNU SIP Witch.

What is SIP?

SIP (session initiation protocol) is the basic foundation of the major VOIP frameworks (although, SIP protocol can be used in a much more broader sense). In it's most "purest" level, unlike with Skype's closed protocol, SIP lets two (or more) connect with each other without having to worry about a centralized server, totally independent of a boss who says you gotta ask him first, awesome!. But as with Skype, where we have to use their server, which is a must!.

What the heck is SIP "Witch"??

Well, it's a centralized server that helps to connect two (or more) individuals at the both ends, easily.

Wait... isn't that like with Skype??

The short answer is No!. With Skype, the laws or protocols are applied within their centralized server, not at your Skype client at home nor at the other end. The skype client GUI is just a front-end. As far as I know, Skype's protocols are implemented within their server which is a closed one. So basically, it's only Skype who can "see" what's going on that server... I think you can guess the rest.

Although as said before, with the help of SIP, we can create a secure peer-to-peer only (peer = end user) communication, but it has its advantages and disadvantageous. Although we can avoid that notorious "server" yet the stability/reliability can be a bit hard to achieve + when we connect more than two at the same time then having a server can actually help to boost the process.

It's like trying to meet 10 individuals by literally going to their places. Or we can gather to a common place and the communication will be much easier. Just like that, the more you have to connect simultaneously, the better it'll be if there was some sort of a common gathering place, in this case is the GNU SIP VOIP server called "Witch".

But unlike with Skype there's a major difference with the "Witch" server. It uses the SIP open protocol and is not a closed source like Skype where only developers can inside it.


What!, so anyone can see what I'm doing!...

No, no. They can't. Just because the protocol is an open one it doesn't mean it's "known". In fact, if you want to be anonymous, then you can easily use an encryption, so no one will see your nerdy stuff :P.

Does Skype support SIP?

Yes. Even though they use their own version of VOIP, yet they support the SIP implementation, meaning that you can connect with your girlfriend at the other end who uses a GNU VOIP client (smart girl :D) with you who happened to be using Skype.

Well, it's interesting what this GNU touch can do to the current domination of proprietary VOIP. Only time will tell :).  

You can read more about from this GNU SIP Witch 1.0 official announcement.

Install Skype in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty!

By default Ubuntu does not come with Skype (obviously... it's not even an open-source app). But since VOIP is fast becoming a part of our lives... having Skype installed feels like a must these days, no matter what operating system that you use.

So after installing the newly introduced Ubuntu Natty Narwhal... you can easily install Skype by using two methods. By using the Software center or the Terminal. But since it's supported by Ubuntu repositories... just use your Software center, it's more easier.

From the top left corner, on the panel, search for "ubuntu software center". Launch the app. Now within the "software center", search for "Skype" and simply follow the instructions.

Click on the "Install" button and follow the instructions on the screen...

Install SFLPhone 0.9.12 In Ubuntu, The Best Skype Alternative for Linux

All of a sudden GNU decided to start a VOIP framework of their own to battle against Skype the current dominator. But they just started it and it'll take a while to get it all going and come up with a truly free software solution of their own, so if you can't wait till that day comes and looking for a Skype replacer for Linux you should consider installing SFLPhone.

Being GTK based, it comes with a simple GUI and even if you're really new to VOIP software , yet it won't take more than few minutes to get used to it.

Let's have a look at the main features of SFLPhone... 


*. Unlimited simultaneous lines - Unless you pay, in Skype you can't call (conference) with more than 3 connections at a time.

*. Call recorder.

*. Video and audio calls.

*. Directly peer to peer calls (no third party servers necessary unlike with Skype).

*. IM.

*. Both Gnome and KDE bindings.

*. Set up wizard and desktop notifications (you know setting ring tones or conventional "tool-tip" type notifications).

*. Powerful voice encryptions + other secure protocols.

*. Few language support.

*. Alsa and Pulse audio support.

are just a few to mention. But remember, if you want to make calls, then you have to have a SFLphone installed on the other-end as well So, if you're impressed with it, and want to know how to install it in Ubuntu using PPA, this is how you do it.

Open your terminal and issue the following command...

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoirfairelinux
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install sflphone-client-gnome

For more information, please visit this official  SFLPhone site.