We haven't tried USB headsets or anything, we just use a standard plug headset. However, we have been using Skype in Linux since about Ubuntu 7.04, and have had no problems. Our older laptop is presently running Ubuntu 8.04 and my wife talks over Skype on it all the time. My laptop has Ubuntu 9.04 and Skype works beautifully as well. We use Logitec webcams. Skype has in fact been overall fairly stable in Linux.
Matthew
Friday, June 12, 2009
Re: [BLUG] Skype
You should be fairly flexible with regards to the headset. The USB
headsets work well in either OS.
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
Re: [BLUG] Skype
Oh wow, video works on Skype for Linux now?? Yes, David, and
apparently since late 2007:
apparently since late 2007:
http://share.skype.com/sites/linux/2007/11/skype_20_beta_for_linux_with_video.html
This is great... um... news! :) One more strike against having
Windows running on my laptop!
Anyway, being married to a transnational, I've become quite familiar
with skype, and other than its unwillingness to play well with others,
I like it a lot.
Having just found out that there was video for skype for linux, I
can't recommend a webcam. But as for audio, I'd start by just getting
a decent desktop mic and using it "speaker phone" style. Skype (like
all of its competitors that I've seen) does a good job of maintaining
general audio quality while avoiding feedback, and one of my favorite
things about it is not having to hold anything up to my ear.
But, if you want a headset, just go for whatever looks good. It's
just plain old audio, so same rules apply. If you want something you
can walk around your house with, I don't have any advice, but I'm sure
there are products like that.
David
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
>> _______________________________________________
>> BLUG mailing list
>> BLUG@linuxfan.com
>> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>>
>
>--
>Mark Krenz
>Bloomington Linux Users Group
>http://www.bloomingtonlinux.org/
>_______________________________________________
>BLUG mailing list
>BLUG@linuxfan.com
>http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
Re: [BLUG] Skype
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).
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
> _______________________________________________
> BLUG mailing list
> BLUG@linuxfan.com
> http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
>
--
Mark Krenz
Bloomington Linux Users Group
http://www.bloomingtonlinux.org/
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
[BLUG] Skype
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.
experience based hardware recommendations - phone/headset for Windoze XP
and headset for Linux.
Advice and suggestions much appreciated.
Ron
_______________________________________________
BLUG mailing list
BLUG@linuxfan.com
http://mailman.cs.indiana.edu/mailman/listinfo/blug
[BLUG] for sale or trade
Hey everybody,
Sorry to stuff everybody's inbox with a for-sale listing, but I'm looking to get a laptop again (it was in my car when it was stolen in Miami) and so I'm selling my desktop and a few parts. It's a Dell that I've upgraded a bit, and I want to get rid of the computer plus all the xtra parts I have with it. If anyone has a used laptop they'd be willing to trade for it as well, I'm open to that. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something sturdy and portable. Specs:
Intel Core2 Quad 2.4ghz
4gb ram
1tb hd
Original Dell powersupply not installed, and the current 600W cooler master power supply (which was required for the vid card upgrade)
HIS Radeon HD 4870 with 1gig video memory (pci-e)
also have two pci-e vid cards, one a gforce 5200fx, and the other a gforce 6800
some sort of creative x-fi sound blaster (don't remember the exact model, one of the mp3+ or music+ or whatever marketing name came along with it)
dual layer dvd burner
also have an extra 4 gigs of ram that I had swapped out for better quality ram. 2 sticks of 1gig each was the original memeory that came with it, and also 2 1 gig sticks from a crucial.com upgrade
I'd love to just get rid of this in one fell swoop, so if anybody wants to make a deal. . .
http://photos.shewbox.org/forsale/
thanks everybody!
Ben
Sorry to stuff everybody's inbox with a for-sale listing, but I'm looking to get a laptop again (it was in my car when it was stolen in Miami) and so I'm selling my desktop and a few parts. It's a Dell that I've upgraded a bit, and I want to get rid of the computer plus all the xtra parts I have with it. If anyone has a used laptop they'd be willing to trade for it as well, I'm open to that. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something sturdy and portable. Specs:
Intel Core2 Quad 2.4ghz
4gb ram
1tb hd
Original Dell powersupply not installed, and the current 600W cooler master power supply (which was required for the vid card upgrade)
HIS Radeon HD 4870 with 1gig video memory (pci-e)
also have two pci-e vid cards, one a gforce 5200fx, and the other a gforce 6800
some sort of creative x-fi sound blaster (don't remember the exact model, one of the mp3+ or music+ or whatever marketing name came along with it)
dual layer dvd burner
also have an extra 4 gigs of ram that I had swapped out for better quality ram. 2 sticks of 1gig each was the original memeory that came with it, and also 2 1 gig sticks from a crucial.com upgrade
I'd love to just get rid of this in one fell swoop, so if anybody wants to make a deal. . .
http://photos.shewbox.org/forsale/
thanks everybody!
Ben
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