Some recent frustrations with Asterisk have me looking at FreeSWITCH, but it’s lack? of adoption leaves me wondering. Here are some questions I have as a long time Asterisk user, dCAP, and Astricon attendee. Why hasn’t FreeSWITCH reached a critical mass? Is the XML configuration that scary? What does Asterisk have that FreeSWITCH doesn’t? Does FreeSWITCH need better documentation and/or tutorials? Is it git? Would a FreeSWITCH certification help? I want to help the FreeSWITCH project, but I’m not developer or philanthropist , what can I do?
Nothing. It's just hard to change the way people used to do things. I'd say if we can use existing FreePBX (version 2) to control underlying FreeSWITCH, then people will be jumping ship. But, that's just for IP PBX side of business. Wholesale or dialer application developer has been adopting the FreeSWITCH solution instead of Asterisk in general. Which side of critical mass are you referring to? (IP PBX or?) Henry On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 12:46 AM, Craig Smith <craigesmith@gmail.com> wrote:
Some recent frustrations with Asterisk have me looking at FreeSWITCH, but it’s lack? of adoption leaves me wondering.
Here are some questions I have as a long time Asterisk user, dCAP, and Astricon attendee.
Why hasn’t FreeSWITCH reached a critical mass?
Is the XML configuration that scary?
What does Asterisk have that FreeSWITCH doesn’t?
Does FreeSWITCH need better documentation and/or tutorials?
Is it git?
Would a FreeSWITCH certification help?
I want to help the FreeSWITCH project, but I’m not developer or philanthropist , what can I do?
_________________________________________________________________________ Professional FreeSWITCH Consulting Services: consulting@freeswitch.org http://www.freeswitchsolutions.com
FreeSWITCH-powered IP PBX: The CudaTel Communication Server http://www.cudatel.com
Official FreeSWITCH Sites http://www.freeswitch.org http://wiki.freeswitch.org http://www.cluecon.com
FreeSWITCH-users mailing list FreeSWITCH-users@lists.freeswitch.org http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/listinfo/freeswitch-users UNSUBSCRIBE:http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/options/freeswitch-users http://www.freeswitch.org
a) How do you know? On what basis are you judging that? It does seem true that the average personal tinkerer is using Asterisk, but it seems many, many, many (most?) larger scale when choosing between * and FS choose FS. Some have legacy systems that they don't want to bother migrating, but new stuff goes on FS. b) That said, the do-it-for-me/hold-my-hand-the-entire-way group of people - there's more tutorials, free code, distributions with decent guis for Asterisk. Just take a look at pbx in a flash, it sounds like there's lots of people who use that. However.. if that's all they are, it's not really much of a help to the project to try to reach them. Unless you expect some of them to grow beyond the basic need and offer back. Other than "less" FOSS gui kind of stuff.. no, it seems FS pretty much has it all. Basically, for both a & b: there's lots of tintkerers out there using asterisk. I doubt that's a worthwhile metric to use. -Avi Marcus On Sun, Nov 13, 2011 at 7:04 PM, Henry Huang <b_ball_henry@hotmail.com>wrote:
Nothing. It's just hard to change the way people used to do things. I'd say if we can use existing FreePBX (version 2) to control underlying FreeSWITCH, then people will be jumping ship.
But, that's just for IP PBX side of business. Wholesale or dialer application developer has been adopting the FreeSWITCH solution instead of Asterisk in general.
Which side of critical mass are you referring to? (IP PBX or?)
Henry
On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 12:46 AM, Craig Smith <craigesmith@gmail.com>wrote:
Some recent frustrations with Asterisk have me looking at FreeSWITCH, but it’s lack? of adoption leaves me wondering.
Here are some questions I have as a long time Asterisk user, dCAP, and Astricon attendee.
Why hasn’t FreeSWITCH reached a critical mass?
Is the XML configuration that scary?
What does Asterisk have that FreeSWITCH doesn’t?
Does FreeSWITCH need better documentation and/or tutorials?
Is it git?
Would a FreeSWITCH certification help?
I want to help the FreeSWITCH project, but I’m not developer or philanthropist , what can I do?
_________________________________________________________________________ Professional FreeSWITCH Consulting Services: consulting@freeswitch.org http://www.freeswitchsolutions.com
FreeSWITCH-powered IP PBX: The CudaTel Communication Server http://www.cudatel.com
Official FreeSWITCH Sites http://www.freeswitch.org http://wiki.freeswitch.org http://www.cluecon.com
FreeSWITCH-users mailing list FreeSWITCH-users@lists.freeswitch.org http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/listinfo/freeswitch-users UNSUBSCRIBE:http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/options/freeswitch-users http://www.freeswitch.org
_________________________________________________________________________ Professional FreeSWITCH Consulting Services: consulting@freeswitch.org http://www.freeswitchsolutions.com
FreeSWITCH-powered IP PBX: The CudaTel Communication Server http://www.cudatel.com
Official FreeSWITCH Sites http://www.freeswitch.org http://wiki.freeswitch.org http://www.cluecon.com
FreeSWITCH-users mailing list FreeSWITCH-users@lists.freeswitch.org http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/listinfo/freeswitch-users UNSUBSCRIBE:http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/options/freeswitch-users http://www.freeswitch.org
Really, FreeSWITCH isn't rocket science. It's usually the user itself makes it look like rocket science. On a serious side of things, if you can freaking code a webpage, you can use FreeSWITCH. XML and HTML aren't too distant from each other. If you can code in JS or .Net, you can even build custom modules for FreeSWITCH using the API. Heck, with the ODBC-SQL interfaces, you can even build an application revolving around FreeSWITCH by having your application to look at that database that FreeSWITCH uses for calls and what not. There's even a great book written for FreeSWITCH by the authors. On Sun, Nov 13, 2011 at 9:04 AM, Henry Huang <b_ball_henry@hotmail.com> wrote:
Nothing. It's just hard to change the way people used to do things. I'd say if we can use existing FreePBX (version 2) to control underlying FreeSWITCH, then people will be jumping ship.
But, that's just for IP PBX side of business. Wholesale or dialer application developer has been adopting the FreeSWITCH solution instead of Asterisk in general.
Which side of critical mass are you referring to? (IP PBX or?)
Henry
On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 12:46 AM, Craig Smith <craigesmith@gmail.com> wrote:
Some recent frustrations with Asterisk have me looking at FreeSWITCH, but it’s lack? of adoption leaves me wondering.
Here are some questions I have as a long time Asterisk user, dCAP, and Astricon attendee.
Why hasn’t FreeSWITCH reached a critical mass?
Is the XML configuration that scary?
What does Asterisk have that FreeSWITCH doesn’t?
Does FreeSWITCH need better documentation and/or tutorials?
Is it git?
Would a FreeSWITCH certification help?
I want to help the FreeSWITCH project, but I’m not developer or philanthropist , what can I do? _________________________________________________________________________ Professional FreeSWITCH Consulting Services: consulting@freeswitch.org http://www.freeswitchsolutions.com
FreeSWITCH-powered IP PBX: The CudaTel Communication Server http://www.cudatel.com
Official FreeSWITCH Sites http://www.freeswitch.org http://wiki.freeswitch.org http://www.cluecon.com
FreeSWITCH-users mailing list FreeSWITCH-users@lists.freeswitch.org http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/listinfo/freeswitch-users UNSUBSCRIBE:http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/options/freeswitch-users http://www.freeswitch.org
_________________________________________________________________________ Professional FreeSWITCH Consulting Services: consulting@freeswitch.org http://www.freeswitchsolutions.com
FreeSWITCH-powered IP PBX: The CudaTel Communication Server http://www.cudatel.com
Official FreeSWITCH Sites http://www.freeswitch.org http://wiki.freeswitch.org http://www.cluecon.com
FreeSWITCH-users mailing list FreeSWITCH-users@lists.freeswitch.org http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/listinfo/freeswitch-users UNSUBSCRIBE:http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/options/freeswitch-users http://www.freeswitch.org
Craig, Welcome to the FreeSWITCH community. Comments inline. On 11/13/2011 05:46 PM, Craig Smith wrote:
Some recent frustrations with Asterisk have me looking at FreeSWITCH, but it’s lack? of adoption leaves me wondering.
Lack of adoption? How do you come to that conclusion? FreeSWITCH may not be as visible as Asterisk but it would not surprise me if in the ITSP world FreeSWITCH handled vastly more minutes than Asterisk. Admittedly FreeSWITCH is an excellent solution for an ITSP.
Here are some questions I have as a long time Asterisk user, dCAP, and Astricon attendee.
To meet the FreeSWITCH developers and community visit ClueCon. For more info check out: http://www.cluecon.com/
Why hasn’t FreeSWITCH reached a critical mass?
Define critical mass. There are quite a few ITSPs offering phone services which are powered by FreeSWITCH (amongst other things). You may even be using one without knowing it.
Is the XML configuration that scary?
XML is about as scary as HTML 0.1.
What does Asterisk have that FreeSWITCH doesn’t?
Deadlocks :-)
Does FreeSWITCH need better documentation and/or tutorials?
There is always room for improvement of the Wiki. The same goes for writing tutorials.
Is it git?
Yes, the SCM system used is git. http://fisheye.freeswitch.org/
Would a FreeSWITCH certification help?
Help what?
I want to help the FreeSWITCH project, but I’m not developer or philanthropist , what can I do?
Write tutorials, update/improve the wiki. If you succeed in building a succesfull business based on FreeSWITCH then you could give back e.g. by funding bounties to be developed by the FreeSWITCH core developers. Have fun setting up your first FreeSWITCH box. Afaik the FreeSWITCH core developers use CentOS so you can safely use that but ubuntu or debian should work fine too. It helps if you use git master because if you think you have found a bug and report it, the developers will ask if you were able to recreate it with git master. So you might as well be using that in the first place. Here is how to get git master: $ git clone git://git.freeswitch.org/freeswitch.git To get started go here: http://wiki.freeswitch.org/wiki/Main_Page Asterisk to FreeSWITCH Rosetta Stone: http://wiki.freeswitch.org/wiki/Rosetta_stone Highly recommended: buy the FreeSWITCH book https://www.packtpub.com/freeswitch-1-0-6-build-robust-high-performance-tele... If you are interested in a GUI to manage a FreeSWITCH box check out: http://www.fusionpbx.com/ http://www.2600hz.org/ (Blue.Box) For a quick question the #freeswitch irc channel on irc.freenode.net is an excellent place. There is also a weekly conference where various things are discussed. The conference and topic(s) are announced on the mailing list. Enjoy! Regards, Patrick
Hi Craig, I see that some others have chimed in as well, but as the official FreeSWITCH "community guy" I thought it might be good for me to say a few things. First off, welcome! We are glad you are investigating FreeSWITCH as a potential use candidate. We highly recommend that any prospective FS user do his or her due diligence. This is one area where we can all agree that OSS is awesome - you get to download it for free and take it for a test drive with no limitations. As far as adoption rates go, please understand that the FreeSWITCH devs are not at all concerned with how many people are using it. We don't have Digium's marketing department, nor do we need it. I think our marketing can be summed up by looking at the first result from this google query: http://www.google.com/#h&q=asterisk+alternative The FS devs have a mantra: use what works for you. Specifically, use the right tool for your application/scenario/problem. Many people download trixbox or piaf and color it done. We have no problem with that. If those tools work for you then great. However, it has been our experience that a steady stream of Asterisk "refugees" have come over to FS because of situations similar to yours: "frustrations with Asterisk." (If you read Appendix B of the FreeSWITCH book you'll see that Anthony Minessale started the FreeSWITCH project in large part because of "Asterisk frustrations" - so don't think that you're alone.) Perhaps the best thing to do to find out if FreeSWITCH is for you is to talk to some of our community members. We have a number of people who've made the jump from Asterisk to FreeSWITCH. I think they'll all agree that the pain is short-term but the benefits are long term. I would recommend two things: #1 - Join #freeswitch on irc.freenode.net. You'll find nearly 200 people there, many of whom can relate to your Asterisk frustrations and who are willing to talk to you. #2 - Call in to the FreeSWITCH weekly conference call on Wednesday. It's at 1PM eastern, 10AM pacific. I'm the moderator of the call. More information can be found here <http://wiki.freeswitch.org/wiki/Weekly_Conference_Call>. We think you will find our community is quite energetic and engaging. Oh, and we have a few people who are quite opinionated as well. :) You are welcome to come join us. -Michael Collins (IRC: mercutioviz) On Sun, Nov 13, 2011 at 8:46 AM, Craig Smith <craigesmith@gmail.com> wrote:
Some recent frustrations with Asterisk have me looking at FreeSWITCH, but it’s lack? of adoption leaves me wondering.
Here are some questions I have as a long time Asterisk user, dCAP, and Astricon attendee.
Why hasn’t FreeSWITCH reached a critical mass?
Is the XML configuration that scary?
What does Asterisk have that FreeSWITCH doesn’t?
Does FreeSWITCH need better documentation and/or tutorials?
Is it git?
Would a FreeSWITCH certification help?
I want to help the FreeSWITCH project, but I’m not developer or philanthropist , what can I do?
_________________________________________________________________________ Professional FreeSWITCH Consulting Services: consulting@freeswitch.org http://www.freeswitchsolutions.com
FreeSWITCH-powered IP PBX: The CudaTel Communication Server http://www.cudatel.com
Official FreeSWITCH Sites http://www.freeswitch.org http://wiki.freeswitch.org http://www.cluecon.com
FreeSWITCH-users mailing list FreeSWITCH-users@lists.freeswitch.org http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/listinfo/freeswitch-users UNSUBSCRIBE:http://lists.freeswitch.org/mailman/options/freeswitch-users http://www.freeswitch.org
participants (6)
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Avi Marcus
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Craig Smith
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curriegrad2004
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Henry Huang
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Michael Collins
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Patrick Lists