Skype is one of the most widely used communications application in the world. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other mobile devices. Sadly, Linux users have been left out in the cold for a while, as the Linux client has not been updated since 2014. Skype's announcement of a next-generation Linux-native client and Web Client means that Skype is starting to give importance to the application's availability across all Operating Systems. This tutorial will explain how to install Skype on Ubuntu 16.04 and Fedora 24.
Take note that this is an ALPHA version, meaning that a lot of things are still in development, and many basic features might not work as expected. Skype really wants feedback from the Linux users, so make sure your feedback and comments are heard on their blog post. Linux users' comments will help Skype know what needs to be fixed, tested, and in what direction their development should go.
Get The Package
Head over to the Skype Community Announcement page, and download the appropriate package (the DEB package for Ubuntu and other Debian-based distros, and RPM for Fedora and other Red Hat-based distros).
Installing on Ubuntu
If you have an existing Skype installation on your Ubuntu machine, uninstall it first. Make sure that Skype is not running, then uninstall it with the following command:
sudo apt remove skype
sudo apt autoremove
Now, open a terminal and navigate to where the Skype .deb package was downloaded to, most likely in ""~/Downloads",
cd Downloads
and use dpkg to install the package that was downloaded.
sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64-alpha.deb
In case dpkg returns an error, stating that dependencies are not fulfilled, running
sudo apt -f install
Should quickly remedy the problem.
Skype is now installed on your system.
Installing on Fedora
Similarly, if you have an existing Skype installation on your Fedora machine, uninstall it first. Make sure that Skype is not running, then uninstall it with the following command:
sudo dnf remove skype
sudo dnf autoremove
Now, open a terminal and navigate to where the Skype .deb package was downloaded to, most likely in ""~/Downloads",
cd Downloads
and use dnf to install the package that was downloaded.
sudo dnf install ./skypeforlinux-64-alpha.rpm
Skype Alpha is now installed on your Fedora system.
Accessing the Web Client
Included in the announcement is the availability of one-to-one and group voice calls for Linux users running Google Chrome, or on any Chromebook. Previously, the web version of Skype only allowed Linux users to communicate using instant messages.
Using the latest Chrome version, just head on over to http://web.skype.com , and all these features should be automatically available.
Conclusion
Linux users are always happy whenever news arrives that a popular game or application will be released on Linux, and Skype Alpha is no exception. Linux users who have been frustrated by the lack of updates to the Skype clients for Linux will be pleased to know that calls work reliably again, and Group interactions are now once again functional. Here's hoping that Skype for Linux will continue to be developed, and that Skype realizes how important Linux support for Skype is. Enjoy!
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