Skype for Linux – For Making Free Voip Calls On Linux

The usage of VoIP apps is growing by leaps and bounds all over the world and now the apps for mobile phone platforms are also emerging on the horizon. These apps are preferred by the users because they offer the ability to make free VoIP calls. The users of these applications can save running steep ISD bills for communicating with their friends and relatives staying abroad. Apart from the general users, the VoIP applications are used extensively by the corporate users since such apps also offer the ability to make video calls over the Internet. In recent times Skype, the leading VoIP service provider has embarked on a massive service integration overdrive.  However, Skype has mainly focused on the Windows and Mac users apart from catering to the mobile OS platforms. That explains why The Company released a new version for the Linux users after a period of a year and three months.

However, the Linux users should not lose heart. The new release aka Skype for Linux version 2.2 comes with a huge number of bug fixes. The Linux version is still no where as feature packed compared to the Windows or Mac counterparts. However, still it is a worthy option for those Linux users who want to make free VoIP calls from their PC. The Skype Linux is at least better than the mobile VoIP apps most of which are in nascent stages. Even the social networking integration of Skype is yet to get rid of the teething troubles.

A number of Linux users availing Skype for making free Voip calls were worried about the implications of Skype’s acquisition by Microsoft. Needless to say, Microsoft is the arch rival of Open source products like Linux and is infamous for charging steep licensing and upgrade fees for its popular Office suite and Windows series of OSes. A number of Linux Skype users were quite apprehensive about the possibility of Microsoft scrapping support for Skype for Linux in future.

However, the Redmond based software giant has announced that it will retain support for Skype apps that run on other platforms than its Windows series of OS. Microsoft would not possibly like to scrap support for Millions of Linux users as it would affect the Skype user base to an extent. In future the company may merge with one of its existing services but this is going to be a time consuming affair. Skype is popular with the users all over the world because it allows them to make free VoIP calls anywhere in an intuitive easy way. Microsoft or other contenders are yet to come up with a VoIP service that can take on Skype as of now.

Skype for Linux is not without its flaws. Even the new version has got the flaks from the users for some stability issues. However, it does the basics well that is enabling the users to make free VoIP calls worldwide. It is still a better alternative to the users than landline based ISD calls.