Written by jaenz the 7 Jan 09 at 15:49.

You might say "this exists and is called ekiga". You're right, but it's complicated to run two programs, register a SIP-account AND (!) convert all your friends to ekiga. Ekiga is simply too unkown, to use it outside of the open-source world.

I actually don't know how much time the implementation would take. But I believe, vino offers an option to grab the screen and gstreamer doubtlessly provides streaming of audio and video.


Finally such a "bling-bling"-functionality is a great way to win new Ubuntu-users.

You might say "this exists and is called ekiga". You're right, but it's complicated to run two programs, register a SIP-account AND (!) convert all your friends to ekiga. Ekiga is simply too unkown, to use it outside of the open-source world. I actually don't know how much time the implementation would take. But I believe, vino offers an option to grab the screen and gstreamer doubtlessly provides streaming of audio and video. Finally such a "bling-bling"-functionality is a great way to win new Ubuntu-users.

Written by torkiano the 14 Jan 09 at 06:15.

Empathy can do audio AND video calls to other XMPP/GTalk users.

It has support for SIP too, and for the most important IM protocols: msn, AIM ...

Also, VNC over XMPP tunnels has been done with empathy.

I think use empathy by default is the first step to implement this idea

Empathy can do audio AND video calls to other XMPP/GTalk users. It has support for SIP too, and for the most important IM protocols: msn, AIM ... Also, VNC over XMPP tunnels has been done with empathy. I think use empathy by default is the first step to implement this idea

Written by znupi the 14 Jan 09 at 18:13.

Why not use Skype? It's cross-platform, provides audio and video chatting and a lot of people use it (including me, my brother and quite a few other people I know). Although Skype isn't open source, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it. It is still free, and it is well known for its high quality sound and video transmission even on poor bandwidths.

Personally, I really think Skype is the best option for audio and video chatting.

Why not use Skype? It's cross-platform, provides audio and video chatting and a lot of people use it (including me, my brother and quite a few other people I know). Although Skype isn't open source, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it. It is still free, and it is well known for its high quality sound and video transmission even on poor bandwidths. Personally, I really think Skype is the best option for audio and video chatting.

Written by amrhassan the 14 Jan 09 at 19:40.

Since most of us are already using it. I don't wanna have pidgin running for text, empathy for voice and another app for screen sharing.

Since most of us are already using it. I don't wanna have pidgin running for text, empathy for voice and another app for screen sharing.

Written by _sebastian_ the 17 Jan 09 at 02:31.

promote use of https://launchpad.net/remote-help-assistant

promote use of https://launchpad.net/remote-help-assistant

Written by Baggers the 19 Jan 09 at 11:57.

Single click reverse ssh tunnel using VNC.
Works on Mac, Linux, and Windows
The non geek being assisted doesn't need to worry about opening ports or what their IP is, that is down to person giving the assistance.
Open Source, small and simple.
Obviously it would be great if it could be initiated by the popular IM clients though.
http://code.google.com/p/gitso/

Single click reverse ssh tunnel using VNC. Works on Mac, Linux, and Windows The non geek being assisted doesn't need to worry about opening ports or what their IP is, that is down to person giving the assistance. Open Source, small and simple. Obviously it would be great if it could be initiated by the popular IM clients though. http://code.google.com/p/gitso/

Written by fdetienn the 12 May 09 at 10:24.

I work in tech support for a major. We use webex and webex is a bandwidth hog => not always good.

The problem with VNC (and hence Vino) is the initiation from support engineer -> customer as the customer would have to allow incoming connections. Most of the time, you do not have time to punch the holes or the customer's infosec department will not allow you or the customer will be too lazy/ignorant and will hide behind his infosec department. Pick one.

The problem with reverse VNC (Gitso) alone is the same on the support engineer side. Most IT departments in large enterprises like to justify their presence by blocking traffic, preventing engineers to work, make engineer yell so IT can look protective :-D. In a word: incoming reverse vnc sessions won't work.

What we all really need is this:

[engineer]---[ent fw>]--mws--[

I work in tech support for a major. We use webex and webex is a bandwidth hog => not always good. The problem with VNC (and hence Vino) is the initiation from support engineer -> customer as the customer would have to allow incoming connections. Most of the time, you do not have time to punch the holes or the customer's infosec department will not allow you or the customer will be too lazy/ignorant and will hide behind his infosec department. Pick one. The problem with reverse VNC (Gitso) alone is the same on the support engineer side. Most IT departments in large enterprises like to justify their presence by blocking traffic, preventing engineers to work, make engineer yell so IT can look protective :-D. In a word: incoming reverse vnc sessions won't work. What we all really need is this: [engineer]---[ent fw>]--mws--[<cust fw]---[cust] where mws is a midway server to which the forward VNC (initiated by the engineer) and the reverse VNC (initiated by the customer) connect. The MSW would take some credentials from both sides and rejoin the sessions, outside of the firewalls (typically in a DMZ on the support company premises). This would make IT, the support engineer and the customer happy.

Written by Agony the 11 Aug 08 at 15:17.

Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12106 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

<i>Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12106 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution.</i><br /> Thanks!