Skype BETA okay?

WetGeek

I haven't used Skype on Linux, but I noticed that a beta version is available from the Third Party bin. Before I install it, I thought I'd ask whether anyone here has tried it, and found it useful?

My alternative would be to use a release version on the one (desktop) machine here in which I can swap in a Windows SSD, but that's not an idea situation for me. The media server that powers our TV in the living room runs Solus, of course, and changing that one to run on Windows would be a real pain.

So, does the beta version of Skype have any showstopper issues, or just minor ones?

Justin

WetGeek Install it and try it, it's free. 😁

brent

WetGeek Valid question, I too await answers. I suddenly find myself (professionally) in need of content delivery options--covid concerns are forcing me and my ilk to be creative.

Last time I installed Skype in Solus was over a couple years ago and the Solus 3rd party package was audio-only.
I'm curious too if video works now. Thanks for asking this WG.

WetGeek

Justin Install it and try it, it's free.

Thanks. As helpful as that response is, I was hoping I might find someone who's already done that and could offer an opinion.

Staudey

I used Skype for more than a year on Solus, without any issues. (switched to Riot though a few months ago, since I could convince all of my two Skype friends to make the change 😉)

edit: Also I'm not sure whether it's still a beta. It's been years after all and I can't see any mentioning of it inside of Skype.

brent

Staudey If you used this the 3rd party package without problems (riot is a good tip too) then my question is answered and I will try to delete/amend my response above.

Staudey

brent Video should work. Don't have a device with camera to test it though (at the moment).

WetGeek

brent Valid question, I too await answers.

The Third Party version from the Software Center is quite an adventure. I could never get it to load from there. The only option was to check for versions, which never actually did anything.

It IS, however, available as a snap package. The latest version (not a beta) installed without a problem.

https://snapcraft.io/skype

It accepted my year-old credentials and even listed activity from back then.

Justin

Staudey Add me justin dot zobel AT gmail.com

brent

Staudey I have an el cheapo logitech somewhere. Will try to tonight. Thanks for the info.

Justin

Or join my chat https://join.skype.com/FLTEMn9dUzbj

Justin

Nobody joined me, so I closed it as I got tired of looking at my ugly mug 😃

brent

Justin Stopped by but did not ring you. Installed and successfully rang my partner.
It works.
@WetGeek Easy install. If you are a freak like me you kill the camera and mic settings after use! Thanks for asking.
My employer prefers webex so I have to investigate that later.

brent

WetGeek Interesting.....I used the two cut-and-paste commands to install. No prob. but approximately 10 minutes for install. In the meantime I plugged in old usb camera. Activated via solus settings mic and camera permissions. By that time I launched skype (reset password), it walked me thru tests. Called the wife, and that was that. Camera and mic were fine. edit/clarity

It also preserved activity from 2017...
I'm surprised my cut-and-paste into the terminal had different results than your cut-and-paste into the terminal, if you did it that way. Worked on Budgie.

SOLUSfiddler

As with a lot of problems that folks report here, I didn't have any:

I installed SKYPE via the Software Center/Third Party, started it, was able to use credentials from the ice age, was logged in as if there hadn't been a history of crappy software producing crappy results (Christ, those old SKYPE on linux days, horrible), and could video-chat in the middle of the (European) night with my son who happened to be online.
To cut it short:
No problems (OK, crappy resolution on my screen, but that was bearable).
How come so many people have problems running SOLUS?
Or am I misinterpreting anything?
(I'm running SOLUS Budgie current kernel on a Thinkpad W530.)

WetGeek

SOLUSfiddler I installed SKYPE via the Software Center/Third Party

I probably knew this at one time, but I'd forgotten. All we need to do is log on to Skype using our browser. That way, Lastpass can log on for us, and we don't need to remember a complex password (or use a bad one).

I don't know if it requires Skype to be installed for that to work, of if installing it isn't necessary after all.

brent

Unusual. One person went to software center and failed.
Another went to software center and succeeded.
I think all situations are individual to rigs && circumstances, though.
I DID NOT go to software center, I went here: https://getsol.us/articles/software/third-party/en/
and did this:
Skype for Linux
sudo eopkg bi --ignore-safety https://raw.githubusercontent.com/getsolus/3rd-party/master/network/im/skype/pspec.xml
(when that is completed, then)
sudo eopkg it skype*.eopkg;sudo rm *.eopkg

But if flatpak works then all good for everyone. I haven't used this since the days of solus' audio-only package only so it's like dusting off an old toy🙂

WetGeek

WetGeek I don't know if it requires Skype to be installed for that to work

Indeed, it does not require installation at all. I installed it on my laptop, but nowhere else.

I just logged in to Skype on my workstation, just by using my user name and password from Lastpass.

WetGeek

WetGeek I just logged in to Skype on my workstation

Whoa ... I just realized that I had signed into my Skype account on my workstation. I didn't actually try to use it from there, as there's no camera or microphone currently attached. I'm not sure if there's any way from there to actually making a call, although the main Skype site included this:

https://www.skype.com/en/features/skype-web/

That would seem to be the way to call from a browser, but I'm ready for bed now. I'll try it in the morning.

WetGeek

WetGeek I'll try it in the morning.

When I realized how easy it would be, I decided to try it now. The URL is just web.skype.com, and it even logged me in with my credentials from Lastpass. And before you ask, yes, I did that from my workstation, which does not have Skype installed.

So apparently there's no need to install it at all. I'm a lot happier using it from a browser, anyway.

brent

WetGeek Been away from this so long I forgot you can do this thru your browser. I have.

...begs the question....what's the difference between the standalone app and the browser?