What’s that? You only use Linux on your company’s servers? Well, I’m afraid it could be a while before you can enjoy Lync Server’s capabilities (if ever).
Depending on the upgrade path Microsoft takes for Lync & Skype integration, we may have ourselves a Lync client (or at least a Lync-friendly client) on Linux soon.
If anything, this could be a positive sign for future versions. A little better off than Lync users…at least for now. There is a version of Skype available for Linux, so at least our Skype brothers & sisters are OK.
Here’s a blog post on how to get Pidgin working with Lync, specifically focused on using Office 365: Configuring Pidgin Instant Messenger for Office 365 LYNC – What About Skype? See which one works better for your day-to-day. If you use Lync Online in a Linux environment, I’d say try Wync first, and then Pidgin. Fortunately, the same solutions also work. Using Lync Online? You’ll still face the same problems as above. Android isn’t poised to go anywhere but up, and I want a good solid version of Lync available to its users. That said, I’m glad the client at least exists and is supported directly by Microsoft. If so, Microsoft really should spend more effort on its Lync Mobile client for Android. I’ve heard people say that the #1 operating system in the world is actually Android–a Linux distribution. However, expect a very limited experience on a Linux desktop (if it works at all). If you’re running Lync Server 2013, Lync Web App does not require Silverlight. You should find Moonlight in your repository of choice…but if it’s not there, try these direct downloads: Moonlight for Chrome & Firefox. Here’s an AskUbuntu discussion to help you work out Lync 2010 Web App with Moonlight. But there is a Linux version of Silverlight, called Moonlight. Important distinction here: If you’re running Lync Server 2010, you will need Silverlight to run the Lync Web App. Works, but only for attending Lync Meetings by default. (Tested on Ubuntu 32-bit desktop.) It’s great to see an actual Lync client available on Linux systems! Lync Web App I was only able to test it out briefly, but Wync was stable and made clear calls. Most functions work – Voice, IM/Chat, Screen Sharing and File Transfer. Wync is actually designed to work with Lync, and Fisil does offer support. Commenters have claimed everything from having to manually add contacts, to voice and video chat not working.Īnother third-party client usable for Lync on Linux is Wync, made by Fisil.
No matter the method, you may have to deal with limitations when using Lync through Pidgin. Add a Lync/Office Communicator Account to Pidgin/Ubuntu –.Configuring Pidgin to work with Lync server in Arch Linux – I Fix Therefore I Am.
Adding Lync to Pidgin? Just one more service.Ĭhoose from any of the following blog posts to install Lync into Pidgin: Makes sense – one of the most reliable, full-featured IM platforms on Linux. Judging from my research, the most popular choice is Pidgin. You must use third-party products to connect with Lync. Sadly, there is no native Lync client for the Linux desktop.
If Lync ran on Linux, it would do so in an underperforming state, users unable to take full advantage of its capabilities.įortunately, this does not mean Linux users are completely in the cold! There are ways to access Lync’s services on Linux desktops and mobile devices. Which makes sense, honestly – Unified Communications hooks into Exchange and SharePoint, also Windows-platform servers. Lync Server 2013 is intended for Windows Servers. Unless you install Windows Server in a VM, this isn’t happening. But you can access it from Linux computers. Running Lync Server 2013 on a Linux Server? No. What else is available for “Lync on Linux”? Let’s take a look and see what’s out there. Though in the past couple years they’ve improved a lot, both in number and quality. Options for accessing Lync services on Linux are limited.
In my post on MindLink Anywhere last week, I mentioned that one big value-add from the software was its ability to work on Linux.