[Ubuntu-ZW] Why skype is not part of ubuntu

[O. Sinclair]

Skype is in the Canonical partner repos from 10.04 so not a completely 
true story - it is not part of "core Ubuntu" but just as you can install 
Adobe Reader from Canonical you can now install Skype.

Cheers
Sinclair

On 07/06/2010 12:06, Kalpesh Thaker wrote:
>
>     hi guys...i thought this was quite an interesting read.. on a very
>     common question for ubuntu users:
>
>     https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SkypeEthics
>
>
>
>
>     Why is Skype not part of Ubuntu?
>
> Skype is not part of the Ubuntu distribution because it does not conform
> to the requirements of the Ubuntu Charter. This is primarily because
> source code is not available. A consequence of this is that it is
> impossible to understand the Skype communication protocol, which
> prevents competition and fractures the VoIP market, making it harder for
> people to communicate. As an example, Skype users can only talk with
> other Skype users because the Skype protocol is closed. But people using
> SIP clients like Ekiga can talk with anyone else using a SIP client
> (such as Wengophone or Twinkle) since SIP is a free protocol.
>
> Earlier versions of Skype (1.2 and older) might have issues with basic
> sound cards that do not support hardware mixing due to using the Open
> Sound System (OSS).
>
>
>     VoIP soft-phones included in Ubuntu
>
> There are several alternative software based VoIP phones, that are 'free
> libre open', use 'open' protocols, and are included in the Ubuntu
> repositories. Among others, there are:
>
>     *
>
>       Empathy <http://live.gnome.org/Empathy> with full Video & Voice
>       chat support, Google Talk compatible
>
>     *
>
>       Pidgin <https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Pidgin>
>
>     *
>
>       Ekiga <https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ekiga>
>
>     *
>
>       Twinkle <https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Twinkle>
>
>     *
>
>       Wengophone <http://www.wengophone.com/> now known as Qutecom.
>
>     * KPhone
>     * Gimzo5
>
>
>     Ethics of Skype
>
>
>       Free Software
>
> Ubuntu supports free software, which anyone can use, modify and improve,
> and open protocols, so that different software can interoperate. Skype's
> software and the Skype protocol are both entirely secret. Users may
> choose to avoid Skype because:
>
>     * They will be forced to use Skype software as no alternatives will
>       be available
>     * Once they develop a Skype network of contacts, it will be harder
>       to move to a free network
>     * Skype could begin charging for their service at any time they choose
>     *
>
>       Skype has deliberately limited capabilities of Skype for non-Intel
>       users (details here <http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=947>)
>
>     * Skype is provided and runs natively only on the x86 and x86_64 (32
>       and 64 bit), ARM (iPhone) and Power PC (Mac with G4 or G5
>       processor) architectures, excluding people using other architectures
>
>
>       Free speech
>
> Users may choose to avoid Skype because they have been engaged in
> censorship in China. Chinese users and users in certain countries may
> fear that along with censorship, they will suffer disclosure of their
> private conversations to other people, authorities or governments.
>