Introduction
Skype is proprietary software that allows you to make calls over the Internet using your computer. Skype uses decentralized peer-to-peer technologies, so your calls do not go through a central server, but through distributed servers and other users. It uses its own proprietary communication protocol to achieve this. In addition, all communications are encrypted from end to end so that others cannot listen in. The Skype software is free to use, but it is not free software; the source code is proprietary and not available for modification.
General information about Skype can be found here at, Wikipedia. The official Skype website is Skype.com
SkypeEthics gives information on why some users do not use Skype.
Open alternatives Softphones using open protocols include Ekiga and Twinkle.
You need a working sound input and output configuration in order to use Skype. Most modern computers have sound output out of the box, but you need a microphone (or a headset, while you are out shopping) for the input. In order to broadcast video, you'll need a webcam.
Links to detailed information about Skype issues on Ubuntu can be found in the Resources section below.
Installing Skype
Since Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx), Skype is part of the Canonical partner repository. To install Skype add the Canonical Partner Repository and install Skype via the Software-Center or via the Terminal.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype
Installing Skype on older Ubuntu versions.
Skype is not available in any Ubuntu software repository, and therefore cannot be installed with Ubuntu's package management software such as Synaptic or apt-get without adding a repository containing Skype. There is the official Skype repository: Skype Forum
You can add the Apt source like this
echo "deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free #Skype" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list > /dev/null
Import the Apt key, even it is not used, but may be useful in future:
sudo apt-key adv --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys 0xd66b746e
Install Skype:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype
Using a repository, you will automatically receive future updates to the software. Please be aware that the repository is not signed, so when you try to install Skype, you will get a warning.
If you don't want to do that, or can't (for example, if you're on amd64), perhaps the easiest way to install is from the Debian (.deb) package available directly from the Skype website. The downside of this is that you won't automatically get future updates, you will have to download the new versions as they become available.
Debian Package
Download Debian package from Get Skype
- Save and then open the file. It will open with the proper installer by default.
- Click on the install button.
AMD64
For Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)-Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx)
Download http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/choose/ (choose your architecture).
- Install it by double-clicking the deb file and clicking "Install Package"
Note : version 2.1 beta will work natively using PulseAudio server
Note 2: For Ubuntu 10.04 you will need the nspluginwrapper package which is available from the multiverse. You can enable the multiverse by going to System > Administration > Software sources and enabling the "multiverse" channel.
For Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron):
Download Ubuntu 64 bit Skype package
- Install it by double-clicking the deb file and clicking "Install package"
For Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake):
Download the Debian package (http://skype.com/download/skype/linux/)
Install skype: sudo dpkg -i --force-all
- Determine missing 32bit libs: ldd /usr/bin/skype | grep not
Download the libs (the i386 version of course, hint: the package is named libqt3-mt): http://packages.ubuntu.com/
- mkdir ~/.32bitLibs (or use /lib32 and change last step to this directory)
extract the *.deb files (dpkg-deb --extract
) - copy the necessary library files from the extracted packages to ~/.32bitLibs
create a wrapper script: export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/home/
/.32bitLibs/";skype
Running Skype
To start Skype, choose Applications->Internet->Skype. It usually takes a minute or two for Skype to get started, and you may think that nothing is happening, so be patient.
When the Skype window finally opens, sign up (if necessary) and log in to your Skype account. Test your configuration by selecting the Echo / Sound Test Service contact (if not there already, add contact echo123) and clicking on the large green button at the bottom of the Skype window. If the connection is made and you hear a voice, your sound configuration is fine. If you cannot hear a voice, see the troubleshooting section below.
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