Ubuntu: Up and Running

Internet Telephony

Ekiga Softphone used to be Ubuntu’s default Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) application, but it is no longer included by default. However, you can still install it from the Ubuntu Software Center if you’d like to try it out. Instead, the Empathy program is intended to be the replacement VOIP program, but for reasons previously stated, I would not recommend it.

Therefore, I suggest going with the most popular program in place of Empathy, and that means Skype, although you won’t find it in either the Software Center or the Synaptic Package Manager because it is proprietary software. Instead, you need to visit http://skype.com/download in your browser and then click the version you would like to download, either 32-bit or 64-bit.

The latest version may be a couple behind the current version of Ubuntu, but it will still run just fine. After downloading, open your Downloads folder and double-click the downloaded file to call up the Package Installer (unless you set the download facility to automatically do so). When it opens, click Install Package, and after entering your password, the program will be installed. When installation finishes, click the Close button and exit the Package Installer.

You will now be able to run Skype from the Applications → Internet menu, and the first time you do so you must select your language and accept the license agreement. You will then be ready to enter your Skype name and password (see Figure 11-11).

Figure 11-11. Skype asks for ...