Running Google Talk on ubuntu

[Eric Dunbar]

Great. Yet another POSITIVE comment coming out of the Linux
"community" (whatever that may be... open source/Linux fandamentalism
is harmful IMNSHO).

>From Google Talk:
"5. What protocols are used for voice calls?

Google Talk supports a custom XMPP-based signaling protocol and
peer-to-peer communication mechanism. We will fully document this
protocol. In the near future, we plan to support SIP signaling.

6. Which voice codecs do you support?

Today, Google Talk supports the following standard voice codecs: PCMA,
PCMU, G.723, iLBC. We are also evaluating the Speex codec. We also
support codecs from Global IP Sound: ISAC, IPCMWB, EG711U, EG711A"

"3. Do you plan to support the Google Talk client on other platforms?

We look forward to the Google Talk client supporting Linux and Mac OSX
in the future."

Take deep breath. Step on soap box.

I am tired of hearing people whinge about open source and/or Linux and
how companies/individuals should jump to support their favourite
distro without providing the company with incentive or reason to do
so. Just because is not good enough!

To set the record straight re: Google Talk, Linux and the obligations
of Linux users re: others.

A. Linux is provided with only one string attached!
Changes/improvements to the software covered by the licence(s) must be
made available to others. NOTHING MORE! No other legal or moral
obligation gets placed on the user regarding their own software/other
software. NONE!!! ABSOLUTELY NONE

If we reason that merely because a company (e.g. Google) _uses_ Linux
they are obligated to write software for Linux (for free ($$$)
presumbly), then we can also reason that every single individual USER
of Linux who uses Linux in their professional lives (or personal
lives), then they owe the wider "Linux community" their services FOR
FREE!

B. Dealing with FACTS.

(General comment... see two paragraphs below) Resources are FINITE.
Linux on the desktop is a TINY market (vs. Windows) with little
potential to SELL software. Most Linuxers expect FREE ($$$) software,
and, some purists demand free (code) software (the two groups are NOT
necessarily the same). Neither of these attitudes are conducive to the
SALE of software (reminder: see 2 para below before commenting)

>From a practical point of view it makes little sense to devote
resources to making an app for a group of platforms which comprise a
tiny portion of the paying market. Mac OS X is a better choice because
it's one platform, has a respectable number of users (vs. desktop
Linux... to paraphrase the US comment on the EU governance model...
"who do we consult when we want to code for `Linux'?"), and, is a
great spring-board for going to Linux given that Mac OS X is a full
blown *nix (that doesn't change every five minutes or has a wide range
of configuration issues).

PS Granted, Google doesn't make its money off selling user-level
software (except for Google Earth so far), but, that still doesn't
mean they should run out and write software IMMEDIATELY (when they
state they will do so eventually) which is going to divert scarce
resources from other worthwhile projects (and, arguably Google is
doing AMAZING things with their scarce resources... Google Maps really
is giving the others a run for their money... I haven't use MapQuest
for aeons and Yahoo Maps is only pulled up in rare occasions).

B. Part two: See the quotes above. According to their OWN statements,
Google IS planning on Mac OS X and Linux versions! And, Google WILL
release the information needed for 3rd parties to do voice chat with
Google Talk (and, someone else on this list posted that one of the
authors of GAIM has established ties with Google Talk).

Take deep breath. End of soap box rant!

Eric.

On 12/13/05, Serg Belokamen <serg.belokamen at gmail.com> wrote:
> Its rather ironic isn't it. Google, company essentialy built on Linux
> technologies does not provide Linux clients to users. A very nice
> thank you in did. Do no evil my ass.
>
>   Serg
>
> On 14/12/05, Giorgos <pinkisntwell at gmail.com> wrote:
> > The only reason I keep booting into windows is to use the voice chat
> > feature of google talk. It doesn't work with wine atm and I can connect
> > to google talk's servers with gaim but you have to have the official
> > client to use the voice chat.
> >
> > This functionality is vital to me, I have installed skype but it gives
> > me problems (laggy in both windows and linux versions.)
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-users mailing list
> > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> >
>
> --
> ubuntu-users mailing list
> ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
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>