Skype open source
Just a quick update, since we seem to have hit slashdot with this news.
Yes, there’s an open source version of Linux client being developed. This will be a part of larger offering, but we can’t tell you much more about that right now. Having an open source UI will help us get adopted in the “multicultural” land of Linux distributions, as well as on other platforms and will speed up further development. We will update you once more details are available.
berkus, thanks for your fast reply. I checked Skype today on my Debian amd64 and it still had issues with my webcam unfortunately. It did detect the cam (Logitech Quickcam 5500, UVC driver), however, it couldn’t enable video. Clicking “Test” in the “Video devices” didn’t work. Trying the exact same on i386 works like a charm. I hope this will work out soon since we’re going to promote Skype for the *whole* university here and most people use Linux here .
Great work though so far, thanks.
Adrian
@genki-adrian You could try one of v4lcompat.so tricks, they are on the forum.
@genki-adrian
I installed debian skype package (–force-all) and replaced provided /usr/bin/skype with the static version. This make video functionality stable on debian amd64
czarnyckm
@minozake
If you’re running a 64-bit OS and can’t run 32-bit binaries then you are missing out in a BIG way. It’s quite simple to have a 32-bit environment that runs seamlessly on a 64-bit OS.
For instance, right now, I’m running a 64-bit firefox which references the regular 32-bit plugin for flash.
If you need an easy way to get started with some default 32-bit libs just install WINE. If you’ve ever used WINE at all then congrats: you’ve got a 32-bit environment.
@Berkus
Look, I understand what your ultimate goal with this whole thing is. I’m just saddened that now, somehow “free software” somehow automatically translates into open the whole damned thing up. What some of these people need to realise is that if you don’t like the fact that [$insert_software_here] isn’t FOSS and they don’t like that, then they really need to FOAD and not try to force their beliefs unto you because they are what amounts to, cheap bastards who want something for nothing. Man, I don’t know how you can sit there and take all that heat as well have without going completely insane and throwing it all in by now. Good luck to you guys and Do The Right Thing(TM) however you guys see fit.
Oh and btw for all of you guys who say Skype doesn’t run on a 64 bit platform…
meskes@Neptune:~$ uname -a
Linux Neptune 2.6.31-14-generic #48-Ubuntu SMP Fri Oct 16 14:05:01 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
My advice to you is to learn how to install the ia32libs and get a life. Either that or learn how to sandbox.
cheers,
Matt
Wow.. really good news.. is very bad not have Versions for 64bits..
Good news! But please make the protocol open source too!
@minozake
I run 64bit Firefox using 64bit flash
http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer10_64bit.html
czarnyckm,
thanks for the hints with the static version on amd64, will give it a shot.
Adrian
Too good, too good! I’d noticed murmurs so I signed up properly and even paid you some money, but then I read your FAQ on the Linux dl page (which still categorically states you won’t ever do it, and felt pretty annoyed.
Cheers for this you’ve made my day.
@rynndragon that’s not a very sound argument, since Skype control the network, they’d always be ratifying call connection with a valid Skype account.
It IS well overdue, and I’d not really used my Skype until I’d heard this because there seemed to be not point to it.
It’s bad enough that I’ve recently found that the extra numbers from Win/OSX are unusable in Linux. I have a lot of machines for a lot of purposes and I manage machine for thousands of others, once Skype convince me that I can have faith in the service provision across networks and architectures (INCLUDING ANDROID) I can start looking at how I can save money, giving Skype the chance to earn some. But if our Accounts computers and our design machines can use it, but our thin clients which are the bulk of our machines can’t it’s not worth Jack.
Please add FULL ANDROID version like on other smart phones.
Cheers,
Lars
Hi Berkus, there’s 3 questions in my head right now:
1. When is the source code to be released? Weeks or months?
2. When will the next iteration of 2.1 beta be released? days or weeks (or will you tie it in with the source code release?)
3. What ever happened to the Skype for MID project, last seen here: https://developer.skype.com/MidSkype There’s been no new announcement since January. Has this beta version found its way onto any devices “out of the box” do you know? Or has the project been dropped for now?
thanks.
1. months
2. soon
3. dead
That’s good news!
I’ve packaged Skype for OLPC XO [1] based on the binaries for Linux, but it has several problems that I think I can’t solve without access to the UI source code.
If you want to see the package for Sugar, you can download it here:
http://www.marcosorfila.com/downloads/Skype-1.xo
The guys at SugarLabs [2] refused to distribute this package for Sugar claiming that it’s prohibited by the Skype license. I haven’t found anything in the license that prevents people to repackage Skype Linux binaries to distribute them in different Linux distros (XO’s are installed with Fedora and Sugar as the UI).
I would appreciate some information about license problems regarding the Skype package for Sugar.
Regards
[1] http://laptop.org/en/laptop/index.shtml
[2] http://sugarlabs.org
@rob_stewart57
Open-sourcing the Skype’s GUI means killing Skype for MID. Think about a Skype for Moblin with a Clutter GUI, a Skype Plasmoid, a Gnome Skype, etc. Skype will provide the library, the community will provide the GUI for free! Skype will earn money, the community will got the glory.
Skype “Looks” so much better on Linux than it does on windows! I just wish it had some of the other features like desktop sharing. I am very happy that there is work in progress for skype on linux. This very very good news! @berkus thank you for your efforts on making skype on linux better, offering some info on what is happening with this work in progress an putting up with the negative comments. cheers to you!
@berkus I have two issues 2.1.0.47 related
using alsa (without pulse audio) :
1. I’m unable to use conference call. The initiator can listen the noises only .
This behaviour is reproducable on the two systems with debian amd64 unstable and following hardware:
- sb audigy zs / AMD Phenom 9950 / 4GB
- sb x-fi / AMD Phenom 940 / 4GB.
2. Please restore old possibility to create more then one single call at once (it was very cool) on systems with hardware mixer.
I definitely think it would be nice to see a 64bit version as well. Any plans?
Mike
http://linuxcritic.com
This is much better news than anything about a new Skype for Linux client. I’d been saying for a while that an open API would be the best way to go. Now we’ll be able to get Skype plugins for Telepathy and Libpurple, and therefore much tighter Skype integration with the major distros. Good going guys, I applaud you!
@berkus,
It is too late for this. Perhaps if Skype use the SIP protocol will be better for us (the customers).
@berkus: how will patch submission work once the client is open-source? will there be specific rules for patches to be included in the skype client?
@ awinkelbauer This is not defined yet. I believe it will be similar to current Qt development process.
Cool!
I am very disappointed to see so many negative comments about this fantastic piece of news – all along the lines of “Skype inst open source if they don’t open the protocols too”.
I have been struggling like the rest of you for years with the poor Linux skype clients, which have always been so sadly far behind the windows one. I use skype a lot – I make nearly all my calls to landlines and mobiles through it – spend something like $40 – $80 month or so, and hated the fact that I haven’t been able to SMS to mobiles from the Linux version, and have basically been a “second class Skype citizen” because I use Linux instead of Windows.
I really look forward to the client UI being opened – yes, it would be nice if the protocols could be opened too, but there are definitely legal reasons why they can not be at this stage, and also probably technical reasons why it would be a very bad idea – such as allowing unscrupulous developers to create spambots and autodialers, for example.
I hope that the open source community can try to be a little more positive in embracing moves such as this which are a big step in the right direction, and focus on the positive aspects rather than negatively dumping on skype for not giving away all the keys to their kingdom all at once.
So let’s start focusing on what features would be good to add/modify/remove from the open sourced client, and get the Linux version of skype working even better than the ones on other operating systems.
Wow, I cant wait any longer *must – have – headless – skype*
This news, is from noverber 09, now we have january 2010, what’up ?
Is something already published ?
Hello. I readed this post and noticed that the Linux version is already out. but I have not been able to find its source.
Where can I download the source of the Linux release?
I’m trying to learn Linux, but a big discouragement was that skype seems to be so behind.
I’m using fedora 12, which is 64 bit. Any idea when will you have something out?
Skype doesn’t really care about Linux users D:
PS: We want a 64 bits version of Skype!!!!!
Hey, thanks for the great skype!
All i’ve needed to do was just install, and i’m off!
I did send a thank-you notice to your skype, dunno if you got it (Sorry if that counts as spam!) I use Skype all the time(hours per day in fact, lol), and so far the only issue’s i’ve had ended up having to do with my net connection.
One little issue, I can’t have “Default” (aka my laptop speakers) set for the ringing, and hear it ring, if I have my usb headset chosen for the microphone/speaker device. Oh well.
Anywho, keep up the great work!
Really. No news ? What takes you so long ?
I’m curious to know how it’s progressing … approximately how many more months do you think it will be before we can use this?
@autumn_raine Skype SDK was presented at CES, so this is progressing well. There will be releases of the regular Linux client prior to open-sourcing however.
Hi Berkus. It’s understandable that you wish to protect certain parts of the Skype IP. It’s great news that you’re planning to release what you can. Will you be building ARM9/11 versions of the ‘closed’ libraries?
@paulbannister Definitely.
I can’t understand how can you complain that skype isn’t opening it’s protocol when it’s opening it’s UI!?!?
This maybe the best news i’ve heard for the past 5 years!
Hell, i almost was going to switch to the s****y Windos just to use a Skype, but then i saw a blog post about this and i freaked out !
I BEG the skype staff PLEASE use twitter or some other service to keep the users updated about your progress. PLEEEASEEE
@ f1r3fl3x We do use a lot of internet channels to communicate. People who want to find us, find us.
First of all i want to say that with just seing that someone from the staff replied to me brought me alot of hope and confidence in Skype! And @berkus, you were completely right! If someone wants to find you, they will find you. And so i did! Thanks and good luck with the development of the open source UI !
Are we talking the Mameo client as well, which seem to be a different skype from all the other linuxs? Anyone know if the android & mameo skype are the same (no cam, different UI)?
@bike.geek.mike Maemo client is done by Nokia and is deeply integrated into their system. Android and Maemo skype UIs are therefore different.
@berkus, i have few questions regarding opensource UI skype,
1. will it support Skype API? like current win/mac/lin versions do.
2. along with binary blog and SDK, is there any plan to release language bindings for programing languages (python, java etc)
Thanks,
-m
I am interested in working on Skype.
What is the base language?
Can I get early release of source given appropriate signed documents.
i would like to know, whether i would be able to build skype for an arm based platform to be used in a CE device?
so… has anything happened here? does anyone know _when_ we’ll be getting skype open source (or has it already happened and i didn’t notice)?
i’d be interested in a skype transport for jabber, hope this will be possible to do with the partially open sourced skype
They are not going to be open-source. They just call open-source the Linux
version when it actually is not. (sources are not available to download, hence
not open source)
I think this is good news. Agree with many of the comments, especially those about being able to access via other Linux programs – Kopete would be nice
Two things i would like to add, even knowing they have been said in previous comments. The sound quality in Skype is truly appalling (i was going to say abysmal, but decided not to be harsh), and the video quality, though acceptable, can do with improvement. I use Skype both in Windows and in Windows – both are as bad as each other in terms of sound, but the Windows version allows me a bigger window before pixelating. If, in opening up the interface, these two issues can be improved, then Skype will, i am certain, leverage greater usage among Linux users, plus be an added encouragement to users of other systems to at least try Linux – at the moment, much as i don’t like using Windows, the Windows version leaves the Linux version way behind.
When will you be able to announce a date for open source UI, because Skype is horrible with the new default theme ambiance of UBUNTU LUCID.