Some people can’t configure the Sound Devices in Ubuntu-based (maybe Unix-based) Skype so that its Sound In works. Fortunately, I relatively didn’t get problem with my Skype 2.0 and Ubuntu 8.10 which is installed in Dell Inspiron 6400. I just need to change the setting from Default device (default) to HDA Intel (hw:Intel,0).

However, I wonder why the Volume Control on keyboard (Fn + Page Up/Down) controls the Capture Volume, not the Master Volume. So, I can control the microphone volume with that Function Key. For now it’s ok, but if someday I want to “correct” the function, I wonder how to do it.

Quand la vidéo sur Skype a été annoncée pour Linux, j’ai commencé à préparer le format de ma partition Windows Vista.

Il approche de toute façon inexorablement.

Finalmente è stata rilasciata la versione 2.0 di Skype per Linux: “Le cose migliori della vita sono spesso libere e ora si possono fare (e ricevere) videochiamate libere in alta qualità“, si legge sul sito di Skype.

Eccesso di entusiasmo, probabilmente, visto che il codice di Skype non è pubblicamente disponibile e quindi il programma è sì gratuito, ma non libero. Chi volesse comunque provare Skype 2.0 può già scaricare i pacchetti per le principali distribuzioni.

Fonte: Zeus News

In our Linux Page (in Spanish) we have posted a brief but complete review (with all the links for the downloads) about the new Linux version of Skype and Google Earth. Finally, in Skype 2.0, not only we could use the audio and chat features but also the video option using our favorite webcam also in the Linux version. The new Google Earth 4.2 has been implemented with new options as Clouds, Radar, Conditions & Forecast and Information. This new Google Earth version seem to be very complete and the 50,000 (not bad !) cities now covered will be more during the next months. I personally think that this new versions of Skype and Google Earth cancel the gap between Windows and Linux we all have stood till now. Well done!

The best way get skype 2.0 on Ubuntu 7.10 with AMD64 is to download the source instead of the the debian file. Also note that you may need the libraries that I have mentioned here

• Download the static file from here: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/linux/beta/choose/
• Extract it and get into the skype directory.
• Enter the following at the terminal

  • $ ./skype

• You will get error like this: ./skype: error while loading shared libraries: libXss.so.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
• Now download install libxss

  • $ apt-get install libxss1

  • $ apt-get install libxss1-dbg

  • $ apt-get install libxss-dev

• Finally match the shared library using getlibs

  • $ getlibs -32 libXss.so.1

    You should get the following output:

  Matched library libXss.so.1 to /gutsy/libs/libxss1
  The following i386 libraries will be installed:
  /gutsy/libs/libxss1
  Continue? (y/n) y
  Downloading. Installing libraries …
  /sbin/ldconfig.real: /usr/lib32/libqtmcop.so.1 is not a symbolic link

• The previous step installs the missing i386 libraries and gets skype 2.0 up and running!

This is enough to get skype running but everytime you have to run skype you’ll have to get into the directory. So lets get the files in the right places. Perform the following steps:

$mkdir /usr/share/skype

$cd pathtoskype-static/

$cp -a * /usr/share/skype

$cp /usr/share/skype/skype /usr/bin

$rm /etc/dbus-1/system.d/skype.conf

$cp /usr/share/skype/skype.conf /etc/dbus-1/system.d/

To Add a shortcut to your desktop, edit /usr/share/skype/skype.desktop

• Replace Icon = skype.png with

  Icon=/usr/share/skype/icons/SkypeBlue_48x48.png

• $cp skype.desktop /home/<usrname>/Desktop
• $chown <username>:<username> /home/<username>/Desktop/skype.desktop

Now to run skype all you need to do is run it from anywhere by typing at the terminal:

$skype

Dopo poco più di un mese dall’ultima release 1.4, ecco in arrivo una nuova versione di Skype per linux: la 2.0

Questa volta ci sarà una novità che farà felice la maggioranza delle utenze che usano linux. Con la versione beta rilasciata oggi (7 novembre 2007) è stato introdotto il completo supporto video, una feature ancora assente per la versione Linux, ma già esistente invece per altre piattaforme, quali Windows e Mac.

Naturalmente sono stati corretti anche dei bug precedenti, ma sono sicuro che questa beta riempirà decisamente la lista dei bug conosciuti!

Can Skype convince the doubters that it is capable of being secured?
Skype’s unofficial explanation for its extreme stealthiness has always been that this was necessary to avoid telcos threatened by its business model from blocking it. While this presents no issues for a home user, using “invisible” software capable of making and receiving voice calls, opening instant messaging sessions and exchanging files on a corporate networks, caused some to ponder whether the ever-more-popular Skype hadn’t just turned itself into a huge security risk.

Is such a design really that big a security deal? It could be if the company in question is expected to comply with laws on information disclosure, or simply to meet best security practice. It stands to reason that any application moving data in and out of a company’s network without that company being aware it is even there offers the potential for abuse.
Skype fights back

Can Skype convince the doubters that it is capable of being secured?