Actually, you are right..... it does seems to be in the multiverse repositories..but only in the lucid lynx version.. lol! I think they could be possibly referring to why it doesnt come setup by default on a new install, like they do with other open source apps like open office, evolution etc. i can also confirm that pidgin has an installable from skype plugin from our local repo's.... so the part of being 'locked in' when using the skype app is also somewhat incorrect... go figure! <div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 6:00 PM, O. Sinclair <<a href="mailto:o.sinclair@gmail.com">o.sinclair@gmail.com</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"> Skype is in the Canonical partner repos from 10.04 so not a completely true story - it is not part of "core Ubuntu" but just as you can install Adobe Reader from Canonical you can now install Skype. Cheers Sinclair<div class="im"> On 07/06/2010 12:06, Kalpesh Thaker wrote: </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"><div class="im"> hi guys...i thought this was quite an interesting read.. on a very common question for ubuntu users: <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SkypeEthics" target="_blank">https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SkypeEthics</a> Why is Skype not part of Ubuntu? Skype is not part of the Ubuntu distribution because it does not conform to the requirements of the Ubuntu Charter. This is primarily because source code is not available. A consequence of this is that it is impossible to understand the Skype communication protocol, which prevents competition and fractures the VoIP market, making it harder for people to communicate. As an example, Skype users can only talk with other Skype users because the Skype protocol is closed. But people using SIP clients like Ekiga can talk with anyone else using a SIP client (such as Wengophone or Twinkle) since SIP is a free protocol. Earlier versions of Skype (1.2 and older) might have issues with basic sound cards that do not support hardware mixing due to using the Open Sound System (OSS). VoIP soft-phones included in Ubuntu There are several alternative software based VoIP phones, that are 'free libre open', use 'open' protocols, and are included in the Ubuntu repositories. Among others, there are: * </div> Empathy <<a href="http://live.gnome.org/Empathy" target="_blank">http://live.gnome.org/Empathy</a>> with full Video & Voice<div class="im"> chat support, Google Talk compatible * </div> Pidgin <<a href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Pidgin" target="_blank">https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Pidgin</a>> * Ekiga <<a href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ekiga" target="_blank">https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ekiga</a>> * Twinkle <<a href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Twinkle" target="_blank">https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Twinkle</a>> * Wengophone <<a href="http://www.wengophone.com/" target="_blank">http://www.wengophone.com/</a>> now known as Qutecom.<div class="im"> * KPhone * Gimzo5 Ethics of Skype Free Software Ubuntu supports free software, which anyone can use, modify and improve, and open protocols, so that different software can interoperate. Skype's software and the Skype protocol are both entirely secret. Users may choose to avoid Skype because: * They will be forced to use Skype software as no alternatives will be available * Once they develop a Skype network of contacts, it will be harder to move to a free network * Skype could begin charging for their service at any time they choose * Skype has deliberately limited capabilities of Skype for non-Intel </div> users (details here <<a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=947" target="_blank">http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=947</a>>) * Skype is provided and runs natively only on the x86 and x86_64 (32<div class="im"> and 64 bit), ARM (iPhone) and Power PC (Mac with G4 or G5 processor) architectures, excluding people using other architectures Free speech Users may choose to avoid Skype because they have been engaged in censorship in China. Chinese users and users in certain countries may fear that along with censorship, they will suffer disclosure of their private conversations to other people, authorities or governments. </div></blockquote> </blockquote></div>