magicjack Inventor Plans Linux support, More Area Codes

Features that are coming "soon". Area Codes, Caller ID blocking, Follow me, etc.

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mberlant
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Post by mberlant »

The Linux challenge is not technical, but financial. magicJack's service is so inexpensive because it is supported by advertising. Even though the ToS says that there is advertising both on the control panel and in the talk path, so far there is only advertising on the control panel.

If MJ cannot figure out how to inject advertising into the talk path (in a manner that does not cause subscribers to quit), they will not be able to offer service at the current price on any other platform (Linux, BYOD ATA, etc.)
robatino
MagicJack Expert
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Post by robatino »

mberlant wrote:The Linux challenge is not technical, but financial. magicJack's service is so inexpensive because it is supported by advertising. Even though the ToS says that there is advertising both on the control panel and in the talk path, so far there is only advertising on the control panel.

If MJ cannot figure out how to inject advertising into the talk path (in a manner that does not cause subscribers to quit), they will not be able to offer service at the current price on any other platform (Linux, BYOD ATA, etc.)
They could support the same client, with the control panel advertising, on Linux. Since they already support OS X, which is similar, it shouldn't be too much work. And it would reduce the number of people getting the SIP info in order to use another client - which is much easier and more efficient than running the Windows client in a VM.

Edit: The same is true for any other OS, though it would require more work than Linux which is similar to OS X. Of course your point is valid for BYOD, since in that case there's no other way to deliver the ads.
jimisbell
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Post by jimisbell »

I guess I am lazy.

I had one port unused on the router to which all my Linux boxes are connected. I bought a $4 computer at the thrift store, cleaned it off and installed XP. It runs my MJ and I have installed tightVNC on it and can bring it up on any of the linux boxes so the win machine just sits in the closet.

I will soon be replacing the $4 machine with a Thin Client that is already in the postal system to me. It will run XPe. I hope that supports tightVNC
henryr01
MagicJack Newbie
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Re: linux suport

Post by henryr01 »

sjinsjca wrote:
dmarinescu wrote:linux support will bring you three things:

1. total portability (beyond windows and mac / mac is a bsd unix, in fact)
2. universal respect! (especially from the open source folks)
3. proportional revenue increase! (you will be amazed how many new customers you will have, coming from linux!)

just my $.02
Daniel

That's just the beginning.

4. Linux makes more sense for machines that run 24/7. Windows misbehaves and needs to be rebooted after a few days, Linux doesn't. Reduces MJ's support costs!

5. Linux is ideal for small-footprint, low-energy-usage hardware like "thin clients" and solid, inexpensive little diskless machines like the Eee. Linux also breathes new life into old PCs, and you can eliminate the hard disk and boot as a LiveCD on just about any PC, providing a super-reliable, super-inexpensive solution. There would be a whole cottage industry emerging to implement MJ on small machines running Linux.

6. At the same time, Linux is the top choice for high-uptime servers in businesses large and small. An office's IT guy could stuff dozens of MJs into a powerful server, providing telephone service to the entire office.

7. MJ would bring telephony to pocketable, Linux-based "internet tablets" like the Nokia 800. Sure, they can already run things like Skype, but as we all know, MJ has significant advantages.

8. Three words: No Windows Updates! No consequently-broken software, no spontaneous reboots, no mysterious new incompatibilities.

9. You can bet that within a couple weeks of release of Linux native drivers, folks will get it working for direct connection to a USB port on Netgear's Open Source Router. I'd buy a new router just for that! (Are you listening, Netgear?) Similarly for Linux-based Network Attached Storage devices that people use for backup and sharing files.

...and on and on. Get MagicJack working natively on Linux, and get ready for an absolute explosion of innovation.
There are so many things WRONG with this post...never mind. I'm out of here. I can afford a real phone.
Agent_86
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Location: Fort Washington,MD.
Contact:

Re: linux suport

Post by Agent_86 »

henryr01 wrote:
sjinsjca wrote:
dmarinescu wrote:linux support will bring you three things:

1. total portability (beyond windows and mac / mac is a bsd unix, in fact)
2. universal respect! (especially from the open source folks)
3. proportional revenue increase! (you will be amazed how many new customers you will have, coming from linux!)

just my $.02
Daniel

That's just the beginning.

4. Linux makes more sense for machines that run 24/7. Windows misbehaves and needs to be rebooted after a few days, Linux doesn't. Reduces MJ's support costs!

5. Linux is ideal for small-footprint, low-energy-usage hardware like "thin clients" and solid, inexpensive little diskless machines like the Eee. Linux also breathes new life into old PCs, and you can eliminate the hard disk and boot as a LiveCD on just about any PC, providing a super-reliable, super-inexpensive solution. There would be a whole cottage industry emerging to implement MJ on small machines running Linux.

6. At the same time, Linux is the top choice for high-uptime servers in businesses large and small. An office's IT guy could stuff dozens of MJs into a powerful server, providing telephone service to the entire office.

7. MJ would bring telephony to pocketable, Linux-based "internet tablets" like the Nokia 800. Sure, they can already run things like Skype, but as we all know, MJ has significant advantages.

8. Three words: No Windows Updates! No consequently-broken software, no spontaneous reboots, no mysterious new incompatibilities.

9. You can bet that within a couple weeks of release of Linux native drivers, folks will get it working for direct connection to a USB port on Netgear's Open Source Router. I'd buy a new router just for that! (Are you listening, Netgear?) Similarly for Linux-based Network Attached Storage devices that people use for backup and sharing files.

...and on and on. Get MagicJack working natively on Linux, and get ready for an absolute explosion of innovation.
There are so many things WRONG with this post...never mind. I'm out of here. I can afford a real phone.
Nothing wrong here, exactly true.
I'm a computer technician and fix windows problem all day for people.
I also sell Linux computers and have not had (1) service call Did I say NOT (1) this speaks volumes.

And Yes Windows computers are known to have a problem with file degradation it's a known fact.
Search google on why windows files degrade.

And afford ability is not the point, it's the principal of the amount being charged. MJ has proven that there is a better way. And that it can be done.
Although not perfect, it has been done. And keeps getting better.

The only thing that can really make it better is linux support I agree.

Based on the principal again the cost to keep a Windows Computer Running, Virus Protection cost, Spyware cost and the fact that all this extra scanning of your windows computer continues to write data to and from the hard drive all day long just burning up your hard drive faster. And the huge cost of the OS itself and regular maint. if you don't know how to fix it yourself you have to pay for program and/or call ME a techincian to fix it.
Which I can't complain because I make money off of this big MS rip off. But I have been slowly converting people to Linux and guess what I've only recieved compliments and never get any service calls.
Thats right NEVER 1 service call.
Thats all I know
jimisbell
Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
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Location: Third Coast

Post by jimisbell »

The reason you have received no service calls is that Linux DOESNT CRASH....Period....QED
robatino
MagicJack Expert
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Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:38 pm

Post by robatino »

According to

http://blog.laptopmag.com/magicjack-sco ... -2009-2010

Linux support is planned for the 3rd quarter of this year, and should be available for both current and new magicJacks. Of course, in real life, that probably means sometime next year (assuming MJ is still in business, of course).
vszasz
MagicJack Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 2:13 pm

Post by vszasz »

I just installed ubuntu 9.04 on an old machine. It's incredible and this new version is going to be a Windows killer. The magicjack didn't work on it.

I think a lot of old PCs sitting idle or ready to throw out could be put to good use dedicated to magicJack on ubuntu or some linux flavor.

They already have linux boot CDs to turn your old computer into a dedicated firewall like Smoothwall Express and I'm thinking a boot CD to turn an old piece of crap computer into something dedicated to work with magicjack would be a possible.

You could build it with security so only the magicjack can get in and out to the Internet and just leave it to be useful again.

The combo personal firewall and magicJack boot CD for Linux would be a killer app IMHO.
sanderson_111
MagicJack Newbie
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Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 12:58 am

Post by sanderson_111 »

[quote="vszasz"]I just installed ubuntu 9.04 on an old machine. It's incredible and this new version is going to be a Windows killer. The magicjack didn't work on it.

I also run Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop and the netbook Version, very solid and nice.

You should also check out the latest PuppyLinux it also rocks and runs in under 100Meg. Very Fast and looks like Vista without the crashes or BS.

I would love to See MJ port MJ with the option to a USB bootable with the PuppyLinux as it takes almost no space <100MB. very easy to config also.
gnimsh
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Location: Minneapolis, MN

Post by gnimsh »

If the magicjack lights up, it works. Linux uses it as a soundcard that you can hook up to a sip phone like twinkle.
johnlvs2run
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Location: western u.s.

Post by johnlvs2run »

gnimsh wrote:If the magicjack lights up, it works. Linux uses it as a soundcard that you can hook up to a sip phone like twinkle.
Would you happen to have very simple step by step instructions on how to do this.

I'm using linux sabayon.
gnimsh
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Post by gnimsh »

johnlvs2run
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Post by johnlvs2run »

Thanks, that looks too complicated for me at this time.

I hope MJ decides to get working with Linux.
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