VoIP has improved a lot since its first days, today a lot of multinational business are using it as a reliable way to keep stay in touch. In this post we will briefly discuss the most popular VoIP applications for Linux distros.
Skype
Skype is the most popular VoIP application, with almost 500 million users. The reason why Skype is so popular is that it was built on a separate VoIP service, without the need for users to have to get their hands dirty in tedious SIP settings. The Linux version is a little behind that of Windows, but works pretty well. Some people, however, have some problems to properly detect Skype video camera for video calls.
Download Skype from here
Ekiga
Ekiga, formerly known GnomeMeeting is a free software application for video conferencing and IP telephony for GNOME. It uses the hardware or software compatible with H.323 (such as Microsoft Netmeeting). It is also available for Unix and Windows.
For proper operation, you need to have SIP accounts which can be set free from Ekiga.net. On the other hand to make calls to regular phones from your PC, you must have an account with any Internet telephony server. The same program provider recommends Diamondcard Worldwide Communication Service, although there are many others like VoIPBuster. These services are not free but is paid to the service provider depending on your destination according to their rates.
To install Ekiga in Ubuntu 9.10 / 10.04 / 10.10, Open terminal and type:
sudo apt-get install ekiga
Empathy
Empathy is an instant messaging client based on the Telepathy communications environment. It also provides a common framework for applications to access instant messaging features. It supports many common protocols including Jabber / XMPP, Google Talk, MSN Messenger chat network and local Apple Bonjour / Rendezvous.
Empathy is included by default in GNOME since version 2.24.
Gizmo5
Gizmo5 (formerly Gizmo Project) is a VoIP (Voice over IP) client to call PC to PC free of charge which was acquired by Google for a while. Much like Skype, Gizmo5 has nice features like answering service, call recording, missed calls and, of course, text messages “Messenger style.” With the use of additives like Call In and Call Out, Gizmo5 can also be used to call from the PC to landline or mobile.
Download Gizmo5 from here
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