feature request - Skype integration

[totallymaxed]

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. 

This is not quite what you were after... but its still interesting...

OpenSky is a free service provided by Gizmo5 which allows any mobile phone, web browser or IP aware phone network (SIP, asterisk, etc) to communicate with Skype users. OpenSky supports sending text messages and voice calls.

http://www.gizmo5.com/pc/opensky/

All the best

Andrew

[grawil]

I've searched the forums and was wondering if anyone has anything else to add regarding Skype integration with linuxmce.  It seems skype is more popular than ever and everyone I regularly converse with is now on skype.  Heck, even my parents and in-laws are now using skype to keep in touch with the family.  We initially tried iChat but this was unreliable in comparison.  I know skype is a closed protocol and not free, but I'd certainly be interested in being able to use the media director in my living room for voice/video calls from the couch.

[Marie.O]

grawil,

look at the Skype API, and see if you can provide a solution to remotely execute calls with Skype, and be remotely informed of incoming Skype calls. . If you can, you are halfway thru to an integration of Skype into the system. If you just want Skype calling capabilities, check with Digium regarding a licenced Skype channel.

[wierdbeard65]

I'm sure I read somewhere that Skype was now supporting SIP connections. Not sure if it is still free, but if the option is there, it should be possible to set it up. (I don't use telephony component (yet), so can't help with doing this at the moment, sorry).

[nite_man]

IMHO the easiest and the most efficient way to integrate Skype into LinuxMCE to make phone calls is using Asterisk. There are two ways to do it. The first one is using Skype For Asterisk. You don't need to run Skype on your server and will use it as trunk. Hoverer, it costs about $66 per channel. The second solution is based on FreeSwitch and needs just your time and not money

[Marie.O]

I'm sure I read somewhere that Skype was now supporting SIP connections.

Skype for SIP is helpful for incoming Skype connectivity, but does not allow outgoing traffic via the regular Skype network, only to call out to regular phone lines, but not to Skype contacts.

IMHO the easiest and the most efficient way to integrate Skype into LinuxMCE to make phone calls is using Asterisk.

Asterisk together with Skype is a neat idea, and maybe someone could implement an addition to our setup using the mentioned options. However, one thing that Skype via Asterisk does not support is video calling, afaik.

[wierdbeard65]

Thanks, Pos!

Good to know, although with my impending move to the US, being able to give my family and friends a Skype ID to call that rings the home phone would be handy....

[grawil]

Getting skype audio integration into Asterisk doesn't seem to be a problem and probably worth the cost of the commercial solution if that's all you want.  In my case, I want video-enabled skype-to-skype calling from a media center.  Looking at the skype API for linux, it still seems that GET / SET VIDEO_IN interface is still missing.  Looks like this needs to wait until the API is more complete which is inevitable when the open-source the client.

[Marie.O]

grawil,

maybe you should start playing with it. Once the video API comes on board, it is a matter of adding the API calls.

[nite_man]

As idea Skype can be run from Computing screen. In that case we'll run Skype inside Orbiter the same way as under Kubuntu I guess.

[tschak909]

nope, because skype will not keep running after you leave the computing area. The app server will kill it.

-Thom

[nite_man]

nope, because skype will not keep running after you leave the computing area. The app server will kill it.

-Thom

Why we need to leave the computing area? We can run Skype inside it, similar way it's done for Firefox, and make a call. I don't know much about system and especially computing are. So, it's just a guessing.

[tschak909]

what if somebody tries to call you on skype?

-Thom

[nite_man]

Agree, but with that limitation we can live Sure it'll be much better to have proper integration using Skype API. But as temporary solution IMHO using Skype inside computing is ok.

[totallymaxed]

Agree, but with that limitation we can live Sure it'll be much better to have proper integration using Skype API. But as temporary solution IMHO using Skype inside computing is ok.

But then you'd be better off with Asterisk integration as that would exploit all of the existing telecom features correctly.

Andrew