On Mon, 2008-08-25 at 09:32 +1200, Vik Olliver wrote: > One question: > > Why is this so much harder to do with Open Source software than it is > with Skype? I load and run Skype, it works. It doesn't care what > firewall I have, who has what proxies or any of that nonsense.
The only bit of my problem that is open source, and even vaguely cheap in this case is pfsense. The phone I need to work is a rather expensive four line IP hard phone. It's the SIP protocol and NAT traversal which is the issue... SIP is equally used by open source and commercial systems, and it's a right pain with firewalls. > I hate Skype for being non-free, but I have to use it because > non-techies can't set up any of the Open alternatives. Why does it have > to be like this? It dosn't have to be. We have thousands of customers around the world with VoIP phones, both hard and soft, and they just work, as long as we ask them some sensible questions before configuring the device/software before sending it out. 'course, we don't do a free service either, but you gets what you pay for... Skype certainly is very simple though, and works though most firewalls and proxies. The big problem for business is the terrible audio quality, and the 'it might work' service levels that skype has. Their big advantage is market position, being the first off the block with lots of marketing muscle they are in a solid position in the free end of the market. Cheers, Me.
