Terrasoft VoIP & Tech Solutions

8 Highly Useful Linux Voice Over IP (VoIP) Software Providers

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With so many Linux VoIP software providers available, it can be difficult for people and companies to decide on the one that would work best for their home or business.

Below, we’ve put together a list of some awesome VoIP Linux providers (in our opinion) to ensure that you’re given a rundown of who the best are and what their main features include! As such, you’ll be feeling more at ease about which VoIP solution you should choose.

Top VoIP Software Options That Are Compatible with Linux

1. Skype

Skype is an app that you can download on your computer, mobile phone, and tablet. It is compatible with Linux enables you to talk to others via video and voice calls, as well as by using the instant messaging feature.

  • HD audio and video calling
  • Video conferences can be held with up to 50 people
  • Screen sharing available for presentations
  • Calls can be recorded 
  • Live subtitles available to make it easier to understand what the other person is saying
  • You can make international calls to landlines and mobiles at affordable prices

2. Ekiga 

Ekiga is a VoIP app that can be used with Microsoft Windows and the GNOME Linux platforms. It’s free as a result of the GNU General Public License and it was taken over by Empathy in 2009.

  • Free audio and video calls can be made via the internet
  • Instant messaging is available for free
  • SMS messages can be sent to phones 
  • High-quality audio and visuals available 
  • Call hold, transfer, and forwarding are included
  • Automatically detects when video and audio devices on Linux VoIP servers are being hotplugged

3. Asterisk 

Asterisk is an Open Source PBX software that manages calls made with telephones between the endpoints to ensure that calls remain in control. They can be used with VoIP devices and service networks as well as traditional phone systems. 

  • Conference calls
  • Supports VoIP systems 
  • Voice mail available 
  • Called ID included
  • Helps with many SIP complaints
  • Scripting languages help developers build more complex programs
  • A great in-between solution for Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) and standard IP phones to communicate
  • Intercoms available 

4. Empathy

Empathy lets you use VoIP services that include video, audio, and instant messaging communications. You’re also able to use Empathy for sending and receiving files hassle-free with VoIP Linux. 

  • XMPP file transfers available
  • Remote control included for sharing desktops
  • Google Talk, Facebook, IRC, and AIM can be used for partaking in voice calls
  • Contacts can be displayed on a map due to the geolocation features
  • You’re able to select different themes for your clients by choosing from the wide selection that they offer

5. Yate

Yate is an open-source communications software that’s free to use. You’re able to use it when it comes to getting across instant messages and hosting video and voice calls. 

  • Scripting languages, such as Python, are able to operate outside of the Yate system
  • Supports Google Talk
  • Lets you use Facebook for instant messaging
  • Yate is compatible with different protocols that include iax, SIP, H.323, and more
  • The interface is simple to use to ensure users can have a smooth experience 
  • Chat and telephony features can be accessed quickly 

6. Jitsi

Jitsi is both open source and free platforms that allow you to take advantage of instant messaging, video conferences, and voice calls. 

  • Supports Linux VoIP phone systems, as well as Windows, Android, and Mac OS X
  • Debian and Ubuntu packages can be downloaded within minutes
  • Desktops can be shared which is great for presentations
  • Compatible with Etherpad which lets multiple people edit documents
  • Opus technologies have been implemented to boost the quality of the HD audio
  • Encryption available to make sure that all of the conversations you have are kept private
  • Develops can have an easy time customizing the software due to its open-source features

7. Linphone

Linphone is a VoIP software that’s free and you can use it for video and audio calls, as well as instant messaging. 

  • HD video and audio calls
  • Audio call conferences
  • Multi-call features 
  • Call recording and replay 
  • Supported by Opus for HD voice quality 
  • File and picture sharing
  • Supports multiple devices
  • End-to-end encryption available for all communications
  • Video and audio encryption is available with ZRTP and SRTP 
  • Compatible with Android, iOS, Xamarin, and QT
  • The search bar allows users to have an easy experience 
  • Availability status available for contact list 
  • Can look at instant message chats during calls 

8. Mumble

Mumble is a VoIP app that many gamers have been using as a way to communicate with each other online. However, it can also be useful for businesses as it includes a system that lets you easily communicate with other people while being on the same server. The interface is also easy to navigate. 

  • Compatible with Os, Linux VoIP phone software, and Windows 
  • CELT, Speex, and Opus are all integrated to boost voice quality
  • Background noise is reduced for improved calls 
  • Encryption is available for voice and message data to ensure your communications are secure
  • Easy installation process with the help of wizards
  • Certificates are available for improved authentication 
  • Status information available for saved contacts 

 

Projectors Made For Mobile Devices Improve

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In 2014 we saw a rise in mini projectors for Apple and Android products. Particularly the growth of pico projectors has allowed for better use of business presentations, and an increase in visual entertainment on the go.

With tablets becoming a household product for everyone, it is likely we will see a new rise in 2015 of growth with tablets possessing the capability to display their own projection without the need for an external device. While we may not see a direction by way of companies like Apple to immediately incorporate projectors for iPad or iPhone, we may likely see testing from companies such as Lenovo and possibly Samsung.

The Lenovo Yoga 2 tablet has already featured this option, and time has yet to tell how users will respond to this option. Will it become mainstream among users, or have the capabilities of having a projector available for movies and your favorite subscriptions to programs like NBA league pass too far into the future to be realized yet?

It beginning to look like 2015 may be just that year with the advancements in watches not really taking off as well as expected, we may see a redirection of efforts by electronic brands to jump on the bandwagon of the next best thing.

 

Apple Storms Back to Life with New iPhones

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The naysayers all but wrote off Apple before the new iPhones were introduced to the public as many though Apple had lost its edge and in turn their market share.

After a first weekend of sales that saw the Cuppertino tech behemoth sell nine million new iPhones, there might be some rethinking of business strategy going forward.

The new Apple iPhone 5s has a cutting edge 64-bit processor, M7 motion-sensing chip and fingerprint reader that will end the need for cumbersome passwords. Apple says it is the most forward thinking iPhone to date and would impact the tech and electronics arena in a significant way.

Apple didn’t stop there. They introduced new colors and a lower buy in price for the new iPhone C and surprised everyone with a new gold colored iPhone that sold out in two hours in most locations.

Apple then introduced the new iOS software, iOS 7 and added features that make even older iPhone 4 and 4S users feel like they got a new device, albeit iOS 7 reportedly runs slower on 4 and 4S device according to many tech reviews.

Most iPhone users wanted a bigger screen and for that it is disappointing. Apple iPhone still offers a 4 inch screen, compared with the Samsung Galaxy S4 is 5 inches.

So is now the time to upgrade to new iPhone? For many of the Apple faithful it is a no brainer. A simple survey found that three-percent of men would break up with their current love interest for the new iPhone.

Both the 5S and 5C will offer significant improvements in performance, the 5C a lower price point if you are willing to sign on for two years and the Touch IDO fingerprint reader is kind of cool. But is it enough?

There are still a lot of Apple iPhone owners are still looking for the bigger screen and will hang on for the iPhone 6. After all its easier than looking for a new girlfriend.

Valve Plans to Release Linux Based Gaming Console

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Gamers along with the tech industry is excited as Valve has cleared the air about the release of a more powerful and compact operating system and gaming device which can run across all prospects and channels of living room hardware. According to a statement by Valve “As we have been working towards bringing Steam to living rooms, we have finally decided and concluded that the environment best suited in bringing value to customers is an OS built around Steam itself. SteamOS will be available soon as a stand-alone OS for living room machines and hardware.”

Luckily for the OS, it features a solid architecture built on a powerful and equally integrative gaming experience solely for the big screen. Projections have it that the operating system will increase performance and operational efficiency simply because home owners will not have to give up on their library when switching devices as SteamOS is designed to run on any living room hardware machine. This innovation has reverberated the earlier silent and handicapped domestic living room environment which was limited to a number of software and operating systems which unfortunately, was less compatible than adaptable like a chameleon dwelling on one pleasing color.

The post by Valve continues “In SteamOS, we have successfully achieved an increase in graphic performance and processing and currently we are targeting audio reductions in input latency at the OS level. Therefore, this has seen game masterminds and developers taking advantage of the gains as SteamOS has been a highly targeted niche for new releases by developers.” This has reflected that Valve is not only working on games as efforts to channel streaming TV, video, music and movie content into SteamOS are underway. Therefore, media content providers are working in tandem with Valve to see that the innovation in the entertainment niche is attained hence relieving users off the hassles that come with old-style and old-fashioned technological systems and trends.

The new product by Valve has been stated to support family sharing where active players can take turns sampling the library hence earning themselves achievements via family sharing. This has been a beauty on its own allowing valve to increasingly differentiate itself via marketing analytics as well as business process outsourcing services. This linux gaming console has also combined efforts with many other features and now the new breed has been labeled a ‘corporative platform’ as content developers will be able to handle communications with prospective clients and customers solely through the help of SteamOS.

Gabe Newell’s appearance at the Linuxco concluded the announcement about the launching of the operating system where he said that Valve was looking towards a more compact design and open platform for Linux. This is because the earlier closed propriety Linux platforms have not succeeded in offering a grand unification between the desk top, living room and mobile which is the core objective of Valve. Thankfully, as many developers lag in the implementation of interoperable systems that can increase user experience and improve OS performances, then, SteamOS by Valve will always be there to solve these inefficiencies.

Installation Files And Resources

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Installation manual for Red Dog Linux 7

Yellow Dog Linux Mirrors – Go Here

Additional support for PS#, Apple and POwer PC – Get it here

Guide to installing version 6.1 – Visit Here

Additional guides will be added as time goes on. Please be aware that we are rebuilding access on this page to the correct sources as they have been adjusted or modified over the past few months. You may also complete a survey and provide user feedback after using Yellow Dog.

Linux Downloads

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Please be patient as this page is updated slowly with the proper links.

Yellow Dog Announcements Yellow Dog Announce

Announce list for all Fixstars’ products and relations (moderated)

 

Yellow Dog General Discussion list for all Yellow Dog Linux User Topics
Yellow Dog Updates Announce list for Yellow Dog Linux Errata (moderated)
Powerstation Discussion list for the PowerStation
media-relations Fixstars’ Media Relations list (moderated)
Mirrors Terra Soft / Yellow Dog Public Mirrors list

Differences Between Linux And Windows Based Hosting Servers

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Most web hosting companies use either one of two operating systems on their servers. Those two are Windows and Linux. What is the difference between the two and how do they effect your web hosting?

Linux is one of the most prevalent operating systems for web hosting, because it is inexpensive and fairly easy to install. Windows is the other choice because they have world class support. However there are a lot of similarities and a lot of differences in how the two operate. There is also a difference in security between the two, and many times Windows becomes the target of spyware because of these vulnerabilities.

The first thing most people notice when they join up with a new host is the way they access the back end of their websites. Many people are familiar with cPanel, which is available on all Linux OS hosting. WHM, or Web Host Manager, is also available on Linux servers, but not on Shared Linux servers. Windows servers on the other hand run Plesk.

The next thing that you may notice about your web hosting is how you are able to access and transfer files to and in the server. Both operating systems have FTP access, but Linux is usually the only one that supplies telnet or ssh access as well. It’s not that Windows can’t do that, but it’s very rarely offered by hosting admins.

Linux and Windows servers can both provide CGI and Perl, PHP and ASP, though Linux is the one that you find those on more commonly. Both operating systems may also provide ColdFusion.

If you are going to run dynamic websites, you are going to want to be able to build and access databases. You may be familiar with mySQL, or perhaps you have used Access. If you are used to seeing mySQL and working with that, you have probably been on a Linux server. Windows can run it but it’s rare that you find mySQL on Windows and those servers are usually running Access.

Many people would say that Windows operating systems are full of security holes. While this may or may not be true, the truth is that both Linux and Windows have vulnerabilities. Security is an issue that you should look at on the web hosting administrator level rather than the operating system. A good hosting company will work endlessly to ensure their server security.

Two seemingly small but rather important differences between Linux and Windows web hosting servers is how they write the pages, and whether or not they are case sensitive. Windows and Linux servers will serve pages in HTML and Javascript. However, Linux servers end name files with *.html versus Windows, which uses only *.htm. This is not entirely important beyond what your preference may be.

Some people may site FrontPage extensions as a Windows exclusive feature, but some Linux servers will provide this as well.

The last difference, case sensitivity, is actually very important. With Linux, file and directory names are case sensitive. So if you name a file AboutUs.html, and another page in the same directory as aboutus.html, you actually will have to completely different pages. Your visitors will have to enter your page URLs precisely or risk landing on 404 error pages. Windows servers however really don’t care about upper and lowercase. On a Windows server, you would only have one aboutus.html page, no matter where you put or left out capitalization.

These differences between server operating systems may sound insignificant, but they can have a major impact on how you manage your site as well as your site traffics experience with your site. Armed with knowing which operating system does what, you can find or set up a web hosting server that will best meet your needs.