Looking thru the tabs, I found an article from LWN, titled Mandriva to ship Skype. This is a really smart option, as VoIP on the Linux desktop makes sense. Calling a Linux user just got easier.
However, Skype isn’t open source. But it does have market share – Mac and Windows users. In terms of numbers, the Gizmo Project doesn’t come close. And from a business perspective, there’s greatness as folk will see how SkypeOut (and SkypeIn) work, and further add dollars (okay, euros) to the deal.
Ubuntu seems to be behind the open source project Shtoom. I believe a similar idea was abound – let every Ubuntu user call one another. Looks like Mandrake beat them to the punch.
Which becomes more useful? I’m going with the Skype option, even though Mandriva’s user base might not be as large as Ubuntu’s. Its all about being cross-platform. Especially with the platforms that have the greater market share (aren’t we still fighting a 90% Windows marketplace?).
Got to keep a watch on Google and Gtalk. They seem to be standardizing on the Jabber protocol.
I see 2006 being an interesting VoIP year.