Now is the time. In the USA, with the NSA snooping on everybody's phone call records, and likely also snooping our phone calls, it's time for Skype to do something about the Linux client.

1. The tying up the sound device problem is a huge issue. Isn't it about time that this is fixed? The erratic behavior caused by this is a PITA. We can make/receive one call, then have to reload the client to make/receive another. This bug is a stopper.

2. Support a separate ring sound device. There's a control in the Options dialog for this, but it is greyed out. People with USB headsets *need* this capability so they don't have to be wearing their headsets all the time. Not a stopper, but it makes Skype very unfriendly.

I know you are working hard on the new client. In the interim, can you please fix these two bugs and release an interim release?

If you need help on the Linux client, I am sure that there are many, many Linux people who would gladly contribute to the effort. A big question is: Why have you not tapped this resource? It certainly would help you get out a new version of the client without a huge expense.

Just do it, Skype. Please.