Open source Skype? Partly.

Skype has confirmed it is developing an open source client for Linux. However, it seems that only the user interface portions of the client will be open source, and the library for the communication protocols will be a binary-only distribution.

This isn't ideal either for Skype or its users: If you're using a combination of architecture that Skype doesn't have a binary library for, your ported front end is useless, and by keeping that library closed Skype passes up the opportunity to get the communications protocols ported to platforms they don't have expertise in.

Needless to say opinions expressed on various web sites aren't positive. Some people are disappointed, and some think Skype shouldn't have bothered. While I think Skype is missing a massive opportunity, the move isn't without its merits.

What will be a real test of Skype's commitment to open source is whether the company is willing to allow its binary-only library to be used in third-party clients. There's no reason not to, since Skype doesn't make any money from its clients, only their use. Allowing people to access Skype from an integrated client will increase the number of prospective users of its service. More customers, especially when you don't have to do anything to get them, makes sense, doesn't it?

If all Skype allows is some tweaking of its own client, and not wholesale code reuse, they will shoot themselves in the foot. Let's hope their aim improves before they pull the trigger.