feature request - Skype integration

[teddydov]

I know that skype works on Kubuntu as is - but I wanted to know if it would make sense to integrate it into the UI, as part of the phone system. The Video option in Skype alone makes it worth while, as well as the skype out that allows you to make calls to regular numbers.

This is especially good for users who have multiple MCs and multiple cameras - meaning they would potentially be able to move around the house and continue the conversation via video.

Just an idea, that surprisingly has not been brought up as far as I can see. 

[Zaerc]

Personally I think we should stay as far away from closed source/standard, proprietary systems (and drivers) as we possibly can.

[teddydov]

Are there any open source alternatives that might integrate well into the phone system options in lmce?

[Zaerc]

I could be wrong but I think there were a few posts on the forum of people looking into video telephony using the voip software (can't think of the name just now, but it's in the source tree) already used on the MDs.  If I recall correctly its support for video calls was still experimental.

[job]

I think WengoPhone (www.openwengo.org) is a good open source alternative for Skype. It would be nice if this could be integrated in LMCE.

[tschak909]

if we have source code, a DCE device can be made to be controlled by the Telecom Plugin.

-Thom

[IOU]

I do know that Gizmo5 (Formally Known As 'The Gizmo Project') supports Asterisk.

They have a write-up on it here: http://support.gizmoproject.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=190

[bulek]

Hi,

currently there are already audio phones embedded in MDs... Embedded phone device is based on linphone library, that is a part of open source project Linphone - http://www.linphone.org/index.php/eng.

Currently only audio is supported under LMCE and I think the most efficient way would be to enhance support for video calls too. Linphone is SIP compliant and that is just the real standard way of doing VOIP communications...

hth,

regards,

Bulek.

[jimmejames]

I know the push is to use open source as much as possible, but for those familiar with SIP does Skype's addition of this feature make it any more LMCE friendly?

http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/03/skype-means-bus.html

[boris]

What about using Skype APIs https://developer.skype.com/Docs?
I did not read all legal info (http://www.skype.com/intl/en/legal/terms/api/), but there are may be a limitations of how it could be used.

As end user I like idea of Skype, or equivalent, be integrated with LinuxMCE.

[bulek]

Hi,

I remembe reading about beta test of Skype Asterisk integration (via special channel). I guess this will be the easiest way to connect to Skype...

HTH,

regards,

Bulek.

[posde]

And iirc Skype for Asterisk won't be open source either, but I agree, that it might be the easiest and most direct route to take.

[david_halliday]

H.323 would provide open support for video calls and interface to most video systems that use this open standard such as: Ekiga (formally gnome meeting http://www.gnomemeeting.org), netmeeting and dedicated conference systems from dlink DVC-1000 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=DVC-1000) up to systems from Polycom and Tandberg.

One big problem is that H.323 is not firewall friendly (opens lots of ports in a large range) so either the core would need to expose an interface to the internet (not good) or you need a gateway such as GNUGK.

Skype users can even call in to a H.323 endpoint with this cheap add on. (http://www.rsdevs.com/psgw.shtml)

Dave.

[bulek]

Hi,

I think that Skype-Asterisk integration will be the right thing (there you can access skype from all telephony devices under LMCE).

Regarding video phone :
- I think the proper way would be to enhance linphone integration to video level, but we would also need the things to be prepared on Orbiter's side (screen or set of screens for video phone)

- currently you could also use Mythphone. I haven't used it for a long time, but worked at time of my testing - it's SIP compliant video phone.
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/MythPhone

Main integration problem would be cause in current state of Mythtv integration AFAIK it can only be used for outgoing calls. To answer incoming calls it should run in background all the time and I'm not sure if that is possible.

Question for MYTHTV & LMCE gurus: Do we have any newer solution to this problem ?

- Currently you can use other Video phones in LMCE system normally, cause Asterisk supports video calls - but you have to have both endpoints capable of video telephony...

HTH,

regards,

Bulek.

[Enigmus]

The integration of a sip-to-Skype bridge I think would provide the full functionality we are looking for with out a mess of having to change anything drastically.  I don't really like the idea of introducing a whole new code base to LinuxMCE.  However, a pipe or proxy to Skype seems cleaner.  Completing the video functionality in LinuxMCE should be a higher priority.