Re: [BLUG] Skype

You should be fairly flexible with regards to the headset. The USB
headsets work well in either OS.

Even the genuine Microsoft USB headset works in Linux. The only thing
that doesn't work out-of-the-box was the cord-inline volume control.
(It controls the system volume, which isn't as useful when what I'm
listening to has been redirected to the headset.)

I know Skype in Linux is, according the boards, a buggy POS. Last I
heard, it used OSS to access the audio. (Yes, even recently.) It grabs
the audio in-whole, and it doesn't want to share with other apps. Now,
this could work if you can get Skype to grab the USB headset.

I'm thinking you're looking in to it as you know people that use it.
If that isn't the reason, you may want to check out free alternatives.
Specifically, Ekiga has both Linux and Windows clients, it is
open-source (Skype is free-for-now and closed-source), and uses the
standard protocol SIP.

* http://www.ekiga.org/ - the main site
* https://www.ekiga.net/ - the free SIP-Address site

On a side note, USB headsets work better in KDE than they do in Windows.
I'm listening to music or a podcast on the laptop speakers, and plug
in the USB headset. The audio switches to the headset without any
interruption. (In Windows I need to restart Windows Media Player to get
the USB headset used.)

--
Steven Black <blacks@indiana.edu> / KeyID: 8596FA8E
Fingerprint: 108C 089C EFA4 832C BF07 78C2 DE71 5433 8596 FA8E

On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 01:26:52PM +0000, Mark Krenz wrote:
>
> I've used Skype with just a standard Logitec webcam and it worked ok.
> Actually, I was able to use the skype branded logitec webcam too (~$24).
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 01:24:19PM GMT, Ronald Odle [ronodle@kiva.net] said the following:
> > I want to try Skype and wonder whether anyone out there might have some
> > experience based hardware recommendations - phone/headset for Windoze XP
> > and headset for Linux.
> >
> > Advice and suggestions much appreciated.
> >
> > Ron