So, what are you using instead of Skype?

sjvn

I recently wrote about Linux alternative to Skype (http://www.itworld.com/unified-communications/166637/5-skype-alternative...). So what are you using now, or are you sticking with Skype?

I'll also note that ooVoo, which is Windows and Mac only, is now available on the iPhone/iPad platforms

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billsdesk
Vote Up (2)

When I was living in the USA, I switched to the Google suite, and rarely used Skype. I even had it set so that Google calls were routed to my cell phone. At that time, I was using a Nokia E71, and had no problems. However, now I am living in Costa Rica, and I am back to Skype for VIOP calls from my netbook. On my Nokia E5, I use Nimbuzz. However, they do not have a Linux application. Half the fun is trying to find a decent SIP service. I am hoping that Google decides to go World Wide, and not just to Europe.

pcaulfield
Vote Up (6)

The three popular business conferencing systems most competitive to Skype are WebEx (Cisco), GoToMeeting (Citrix), and Adobe Connect. Each has its pros and cons, but all are mature products with a user base that is more business-driven than Skype’s. When businesses want more reliability than Skype, or more control over their corporate branding, these three are the market leaders against which upstart competitors will be compared.

ncharles
Vote Up (6)

Your question seems to point out the need for different client applications for different computing platforms. Skype, Live Messenger, WebEx, GoToMeeting, and Connect all have clients for Windows and Macintosh. Linux users are such a small portion of the market that their choices for client software will always be limited.

JOiseau
Vote Up (6)

A great number of people no longer email between friends – they just message them via Facebook. The addition of a communication service to Facebook could be disruptive, however. Since Microsoft already has Live Messenger (chat + video calls), their purchase of Skype was a brilliant manouever to tie them to  Facebook. Microsoft's Live Messenger has been around for quite some time, and it is possible that Microsoft will find a way to bind those two products together.

RomanZ
Vote Up (8)

Heavy Skype users will not migrate to another platform, even if Microsoft starts rebranding the service. That’s because the value of any given network is how many connections you have to other people (n-1). As long as Skype calls between Skype users are free, many consumers will see no reason to switch.

abennett
Vote Up (9)

I'm sticking with Skype, for now anyway. But this Slashdot post puts forth Google WebRTC as the heir apparent. http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/06/02/1541246/Google-WebRTC-Can-It-Rep...

RomanZ
Vote Up (10)

I'm still using Skype, directly over my PC with a headset, for international calls. I did get a Magic Jack just to give it a test run, and use it as an extra phone line for US-based calling, and it seems to be working quite well also. As an extra benefit, I've also been using the Magic Jack as a separate fax line for convenience. I've heard mixed reports about how well that works, but it's been doing the job for me.

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