> The sad fact of the matter is most people do not give a hoot about software being open. While that is true, occasionally people care about the consequences o

> The sad fact of the matter is most people do not give a hoot about software being open. While that is true, occasionally people care about the consequences of software being open. I think that skype is an example where this is true. I personally don't have any ideological problems with using non-free software, but I do mind the fact that skype on ubuntu is an abomination UI-wise (believe me, it is far far worse than the windows and osx versions), and I have never actually managed to make a call with it. I know that at least some of my (non-geek) friends share that pain. Unfortunately I agree that the network effect probably means that the chances of any open alternative are slim to none.