[arch-general] Skype locks up my system, not even sysrq keys work

[Mauro Santos]

On 01-08-2012 18:48, SanskritFritz wrote:
> Has anyone succeeded to use Pidgin video and audio over gtalk? Jitsi
> works but I would like to use Pidgin. I'm trying to move away from
> Skype.
> 

Since no one chimed in so far I'll report what I have tested a while ago.

Pidgin to gtalk didn't work, pidgin to pidgin worked, _however_ some
restrictions seemed to apply.

Background: I'm not a fan of upnp and automagic port forwarding, so I
don't use that and I disable upnp on devices I manage. The tests I have
performed were done using gmail accounts, the accounts' configuration
used were the ones needed get chat working plus specifying static ports
for incoming traffic. I know this influenced the ease of use, but given
that you can't be sure to always connect within networks you manage or
get a public IP with no port filtering I'd say it was a relatively fair
test.

Having said that, what I have found is that both port forwarding _and_
firewalls must be configured correctly for things to work. If I remember
correctly, the side which doesn't have things setup properly (or has
some restriction) will not be able to receive sound/video. This makes it
harder if not impossible to establish a working audio/video call.

Given that not all users are tech savvy and some networks may be managed
by third parties, I'd say that as it is, calls over jingle are not
nearly as easy and hassle free as calls with skype. I know I'm going to
sound like the devil's advocate, but skype actually does a really good
job at hiding and working around all the complexities of establishing a
working connection with someone else, and in a way it is security
friendly as it uses the one static port you configure in the options for
incoming connections.

-- 
Mauro Santos