Home / ubuntu / Questions / 13092
Accepted
donatello
Asked: 2010-11-14 13:57:32 +0800 CST

FOSS Conference calling software

  • 772

I have so far been using Skype to do conference calls on Ubuntu Maverick. I want to stop using Skype because the client looks pretty bad (or has a number of minor bugs) in the default Ubuntu theme (e.g. menu items don't display unless you point at them), and it seems to use up a lot of my CPU while audio calling.

Are there any audio conferencing (i.e. 2-10 people in a call simultaneously) tools that are FOSS and work quite well in Ubuntu?

EDIT:

Some additional requirements:
1) I want to have minimal setup and use open protocols if possible.
2) I need a s/w feature to record the call (I'm planning to make podcasts).
3) Cross platform - The people I call may be on a difference OS, so a suitable client should be available for their system too (Win/Mac).

sound skype voip

2 Answers

  1. Actually, we use this thing called "mumble" inside Canonical. It's organized like an IRC server with various rooms and basic texting ability. Great for ad hoc meetings and a little more entertaining than just hanging out on IRC. The configuration could be better, but once you get the mic setup right, and settle on your push to talk keys, you're pretty much all set.

    https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mumble/1.1.8-3

    • 2
  2. Best Answer

    Ekiga ( http://ekiga.org/ ), quoting from the website:

    Ekiga (formely known as GnomeMeeting) is an open source SoftPhone, Video Conferencing and Instant Messenger application over the Internet. It supports HD sound quality and video up to DVD size and quality. It is interoperable with many other standard compliant softwares, hardwares and service providers as it uses both the major telephony standards (SIP and H.323).

    alt text

    It is Gnome software so well-integrated with your Ubuntu desktop and has all the features you need. Try it :)

    • 2