I've never used Skype much. Although I've long believed it's a cool idea for a program, I rarely need to use it. After switching to Linux, I had some qualms about using the Linux version of Skype because it's not free software (free as in freedom, not necessarily as in price). Nonetheless, I downloaded it anyway, only to confirm that it sucks. Skype has spent almost all of its resources developing the Windows version of its software, leaving the Mac and (especially) the Linux versions in the proverbial dust. However, I continued to use Skype as often as before (that is, hardly ever).

Then, recently, I found out that Skype for Linux reads your password and Firefox profile. It apparently took a while to be noticed because Skype is not free software as per the definition linked to above. Only the Skype developers have access to the source code, so only they can know what the program is programmed to do. If Skype were free software, this breach of privacy would have been uncovered very quickly and fixed by members of the community. And with that, I got rid of Skype and searched for a free (as in freedom) alternative.

I came across WengoPhone, which, unlike Skype, uses the open protocol known as SIP. A WengoPhone user can talk to people using other SIP clients. (Skype users, on the other hand, can only talk to other Skype users due to Skype's use of its own proprietary protocol.) What I like about WengoPhone as opposed to Ekiga (which I already had on my computer) is that the interface is similar to Skype's. The program is a little rough around the edges in the way of bugs (I can't hear the sound that's supposed to play when you get a call), but overall, it seems like a pretty good alternative to Skype. The sound quality, from what I've been able to tell, is worse than Skype's but a little better than your phone's. As for calling real phones, Wengo's rates for the US and Canada are less than half of Skype's (€0.008/minute vs. €0.017/minute).

One problem I had with Skype is that I really didn't have anyone to talk to. Let's make this less of a problem for SIP. WengoPhone is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux (and it should be in the repositories for your Linux distribution). And here's a list of moreSIP clients. Once you have it set up, give me a call at sip:jordonk27@voip.wengo.fr. I think you should be able to leave me a message if I'm not available.

I'm think my friend Luke is right. Proprietary software really is a crime.

On the Ask Jordon front, we're picking up from last time.

Clairecrowww: Well, I have to do my assignment today. Its a talky-type thing, so I don't think you could help much... Unless you came to Australia?

Maybe next time we can use SIP!

Clairecrowww: And also: My friend would like to know if the West Coast Eagles will win the grand final. (Its AFL, if you didn't know)

Reply hazy, try again later.

Also on the privacy front: I've reported about the phenomenon of color printers printing Seeing Yellow is a site that has more information about the phenomenon.

Not to be confused with the 10 amazing Earth facts I posted recently, here are 101 Amazing Earth Facts.