what to use instead of skype?

[Simon]

Ekiga is easy to use, but I've never had anyone to test the video
with.  You might be able to get your Windows-using acquaintences to
interoperate with that feature using NetMeeting.  For just audio SIP
calls, Ekiga is the way to go, since you can use it with any SIP
provider you have an account with.  However, if you plan on using SIP
often, perhap you may want to get an ATA (analog telephone adapter) to
provide you with a phone line you can make calls on.  If you're trying
to use the video feature, this page will help:

http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Which_programs_work_with_Ekiga_%3F

Also, there are several access numbers in Canada that allow people to
make SIP calls for free using their existing phone line, but I haven't
found any in Toronto.  I tried the one I know about for Kitchener
yesterday and it worked nicely.  For Toronto, bbpglobal.com has an
access number that you call where you can then dial the number of the
bbpglobal SIP account you're trying to reach.  For the other numbers,
see http://www.sipbroker.com/sipbroker/action/pstnNumbers .
--
The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://gtalug.org/
TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://gtalug.org/wiki/Mailing_lists