Skype for Linux updates
It’s been a while since we last checked in to report on our progress with Skype for Linux, and I’m sorry to have kept you in the dark.
Here are some of the things we’ve been up to:
- We’ve completely rewritten the audio library, and have spent considerable effort transforming the existing audio code into a form more suitable for Skype. We’ve also fixed some compatibility issues with Bluetooth headsets.
- We’re also making substantial changes to the video library. We’re working to make it more stable and compatible with more webcams and X video modes.
- There is work underway to adopt some of the user interface improvements from Skype 4.0 for Windows, like the active conversations tab. We’re also considering adding the full-screen default view found in Skype 4.0 for Windows. Of course, this is still under development, but our goal is to create an easier to use interface that requires fewer clicks to accomplish the most common tasks.
- We’re also trying to be friendlier to more operating systems, in particular FreeBSD and OpenSolaris. While there is still no support for 64-bit Linux, we hope to add this during 2009.
- We’ve expanded our Linux team by hiring more skilled Linux/Qt developers, and we have more Linux vacancies to fill during the first few months of this year.
Just to reassure you – Skype for Linux is definitely not dead. Stay tuned for more developments 
hey all,
maybe the skype (all platforms) have really some exist-problems, check web about it ..
Just to break this nifty 400 comments bar, here’s the long-awaited update – http://blogs.skype.com/sites/linux/2009/07/skype_for_linux_an_update.html
That long-awaited update just makes us to wait longer!
Is it possible that i can have the screen sharing option in Linux which i do have for my latest version of Skype4.1 for Windows
i really only want to be able to edit my messages, and when it show whos typing ATM
Hi
There is no Mandriva .RPM file yet?
The SUSE & Fedora versions won’t install. They complain about needing qt4-x11 >= 4.2 which I do have. I am using Mandriva 2010 Beta. I installed the .tar version which works fine.
The only reason I ask is that I know some people using linux with are not that experienced installing non .RPM files. You know, .RPM files are just point and click files.
I’ll send them a small script that will help them with the .TAR file on mandriva.
I am a PC technician that is helping users move to Mandriva or any other linux when they continually complain about windows.
Congratulatios for you new release.. Audio and my webcam works great except with my Logitech camera. I just get a green scabled screen and it works fine with Kopete & aMSN.
Regards,
Ezekiel
how can i import my email contact list into my linux beta skype, with out having to do one by one thanks
@medussa31 You shall ask this question on our forum and I’m sure some of our brave hearts will help you with a handy script. (hint for script writers: SEARCH USERS command)
Support for importing contacts is not part of the current release unfortunately.
Confirming that the latest Skype Version 2.1.0.81 (skype-ubuntu-intrepid_2.1.0.81-1_i386.deb) does not work on Ubuntu 8.04.4.
The following worked for me http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=8919096&postcount=6
We need nothing: a cool core, some APIs and maybe a dbus extension. We can handle Webcam/Microphone and everything is needed (and we can do it better than Skype for Linux team…for sure, if a development team exists).
You have only to mantain the core that makes connection. Give us a way to get the contact list and compress raw audio/video and send it using skype’s protocol.
It’s obvious: Skype team cannot support Skype for linux and the 2.1 version simply sucks.
Let’s save some money there and give linux users a chance to use Skype!
I am using 2.1.0.81 on Ubuntu 10.04 because the 2.0 version doesn’t work anymore on Lucid (still does on Intrepid but here it doesn’t even start anymore – haven’t bothered to trace the crash but my first guess would be that 2.0 is linked against an older version of qt and what’s bundled with lucid is not compatible anymore), and am noticing a rather deep change in the 2.1 alert behaviour relative to 2.0 which might stump people with similar habits: If you have /alertsoff or /alertson in a closed multichat, new messages won’t produce a tray alert unless your is called out (not actually sure if it works if the name is mentioned, seem to get ymmv) as in the red flag in the tray/panel icon. If you don’t expect that because in 2.0 you still get the alert, you are caught unawares of a load of things happening in the chats you are subscribed to. Also, it seems to affect alert behaviour if you’re set to in a similar manner. Not sure if that’s an intended change or a bug?
@fiskadoro Hi, Frank!
This is intended change, which can however be modified with a special configuration key. I think it is slightly changed in newer versions, not yet released. Ping me on skype and I’ll give you instructions on changing this behavior.
I’m using 2.1.0.81 on Fedora 13 x86_64. I cannot use webcams with skype. Webcams are supported from kernel because I use them with other software (cheese for example). What can I do?
I would like to refer to the beginning of this thread and state that skype for linux seems to be dead finally. 2.1.0.81 beta for more than a year now, and if you linux skype users try a current windows client, you see a lot of nice things not there in linux.
It is understandable that every company has to judge development of software versions for different platforms from an economical point of view, and not to support a Linux solution might be a reasonable decision.
So not doing things is OK, not daring to clearly communicate this is NOT.
almost 2 years later and just about nothing you have said has come true. i am trying to get my friends to switch to google chat, and then i can delete this crapware off my system.
Come on Skype don’t forget about us Linux users!
Would you mind opening up the linux version so the community can maintain it?
I am using Ubuntu 11.04 and have installed skype 2.2 beta. Initially skype worked fine for 2 days on installation but now it automatically shuts down after 5 sec. Do anyone have a solution for this problem?
@everyone that had crash at immediate Skype startup:
this is a known issue that affect all platforms, please follow this link for a quick solution
http://heartbeat.skype.com/2011/05/problems_signing_into_skype_an.html
An updated Skype with the bug fixed will follow.