why doesn't magic jack work with ubuntu?

I don´t think your question is right. If it works in UBUNTU, why ask why it works?

I think you mean that it doesn´t work.

What is Magic Jack? A program or a service?

http://www.magicjack.com/4/faq/

To save you a visit to their web site it says:

"Your Question
Will magicJack work with Linux?"

"Answer
NO."

So since UBUNTU is GNU/Linux, this would be a simple 'No it does not work'

However, if you really feel it's necessary (thought there are such better alternatives...) then feel free to write to the MAGIC JACK public relations team and vocalize your request for supporting GNU/Linux and the wonderful Ubuntu.

Good luck.

can you not use wine to operate the usb port you are using for the phone jack?

Trying to make MagicJack work in Ubuntu Jaunty without using VM/VB. It sees both devices. But returns "You must plug MagicJack into USB"

Is this the point you are stuck at?

If so it seems if we can get Wine to communicate with the hardware we'll be in business.

The last micro$oft hold out in my life is the dedicated magic jack box. :) (good use of an ancient laptop with no battery.)

Quoting the FAQ is kinda pointless. 99% of the windows stuff that runs on Linux isn't meant to.

People have said stuff about getting MagicJack to work on Ubuntu, but nothing has really crystallized, so I'd take any positive reports (except maybe very new ones) with a large grain of salt.

That said:
http://www.magicjacksupport.com/magic-jack-on-ubuntu-8-10-t4283.html
http://www.magicjacksupport.com/linux-softphones-t739.html

Eliah,

I was never able to get it working, but I'm not much of a computer guru either.
Google voice may work though.

-nate