It is sad when winblows and mac have a more updated version of skype leaving us linux users out in the cold and wind.

Skype for linux is basically a IM program because the sound is crappy and choppy. I don't need another IM program. What I want is a cheaper way to make LD calls which is just not going to happen for linux users anytime soon.

It's been over a half year since any linux version has been released and this current one is simply junk, all you have to do is just scan through the forum to see this.

If I have to buy a new computer with winblows installed just to use skype it then becomes more costly then just going to vonage and paying the fee to them. A year costs $300 USD compaired to a new computer just for skype at $800 - $1200 and it's just not worth it. It would take years to justify that cost for one program.

There isn't even a skype toolbar for firefox linux.

Overall skype just isn't worth it anymore, linux users are fed BS from advanced members and skype staff and just lead us on into empty promises and more frustration. Skype has lost is drive and incentive to build a linux user base and we must face that fact.

I am off to order Vonage now. Oh and BTW -- skype only offers unlimited to Canada and the US for me, Vonage offers unlimited to Canada, US, PR and most of the EU countries and skype can't match that.

it won't help you but I can't blame you. it's a crying shame, last week there were at least 2 new releases for windows 3.2 beta. there was a new mac version too. we haven't seen anything new or better since august 2006. that's 8 months with a bull shit program. all we hear is: it's coming soon. but coming soon has become a very hollow phrase with skype. maybe we should consider it for the vaporware awards ?

and what if they release another version somewhere in the next 3 months. it will, like all software, contain bugs etc. considering the horrible skype for linux track record and the obvious lack of priority for linux skype, no support from skype can be expected. I wonder what would have happened if not those eBay wankers, but let's say Google would have aquired Skype. would we have been left in the dark as we are now ?

but we'll just have to wait, cause there's no serious alternative. I can't force everyone on my contact list to move over to wengo or gizmo or whatever. the moment another program comes up that enables me to call skype users with video, i'm off, indefinitely.

I'm a beta tester for Google linux products. If we had skype things would work. Ebay has never encouraged linux development, just look at all their ebay programs...... all winblows.

One day when linux rules the world it will be us that control the world.

I too am saddened by the Linux support (just barely, and flaky) from Skype. But... cost wise, a better option would be to buy a $150 wifi phone running skype and use that (I'm strongly considering it) but it's really ludicrous that we should even have to consider it.

Google Talk is one thing (the software for VOIP) but the hardware/driver support is yet another.

I'm doubly saddened at the lack of "SkypeMate" support for my USB-B2K telbox that I bought for using my regular wireless phone on Skype. There is free software here, but that has it's problems too. Seems crazy to just have a windows box running for Skype + SkypeMate (USB-B2K "driver" support). Hence the $150 wifi phone running skype. (Vonage is just too damned $$$$ for what (little) you get, then again, it does 'just work'). Oh well...

Vonage doesn't need winblows to work..... doesn't need linux to work. I don't need to buy anything extra... It just works. The cost isn't that bad for what you get either especially when I call the UK on a daily basis and its a free call with vonage whereas with skype I had to pay.

Overall vonage is worth the cost because the savings are there. I can actually delete my land line because 911(emergency) works with vonage and it doesn't with skype.

I don't need to buy a new computer either.

Skype sure f**ked up when they let Ebay/PayPal buy them out. They couldn't give to fingers about programs muchless about linux users. Shame google didn't buy them out when they had a chance.