Skype is a very powerful and popular communications application, that allows users to make free Internet phone and video calls. Skype also allows users to share files, send text messages, transfer or forward calls, chat, and conference.
How to Download and Install Skype For Linux
From the Skye website home page, click on the “Get Skype” button. Next, click on the “Get Skype for Linux” button. After the “Download now” button is clicked, the user is presented with 6 download choices:
Ubuntu 8.10+ 32-bit (For all versions of Ubuntu 32 bits from 8.10 version 8.10 and later)
Ubuntu 8.10+ 64-bit For all versions of Ubuntu 64 bits version 8.10 and later)
Debian Lenny (For Debian 5.0 or Lenny)
Fedora 10+ (For all Fedora verions 10.0 and later)
OpenSUSE 11+ (For all OpenSUSE verions 11.0 and later)
Dynamic Static (For all versions of Linux provided they meet the minimum standards)
Meeting the Minimun Requirements for Running Skype For Linux
1 Ghz processor or faster.
256 MB RAM.
20 MB free disk space on your hard drive.
Microphone and speakers or headset.
Internet connection – broadband is best (GPRS is not supported for voice calls).
Video card driver with Xv support.
Software requirements
Qt 4.4.0
D-Bus 1.0.0
libasound2 1.0.18
PulseAudio 0.9.16 (optional)
The test machine ran Lubuntu 10.04. Lubuntu is a derivative of Ubuntu designed to work well on older, slower machines. Lubuntu meets all the Skype requirements, except the QT4 libraries. On the initial attempt to install the .dep package, an error message said that one additional file — libqt4-dbus –needed to be downloaded and installed in order for Skype to function.
Which Package to Use For Ubuntu: Deb or Dynamic Static .bzr File?
The advantage of the installing the deb (Debian) archive is that the install program, dpkg or gdebi handles all the details in finding downloading and installing the needed auxilliary files. Dpkg is a command line package installer while gdebi provides the user with a point -and-click graphical user interface. Both require the root password to begin the installation process.
On the other hand, provided you meet the minimum requirements, the Dynamic Static package is much simpler to install. No root privileges required! The user need only extract the files from the archive into his home directory, navigate to the Skype-version folder, then just click on the Skype application icon. Removing the program is even simpler: Just delete the Skype-version folder.
Skype is Installed and Ready to Run
Once the Skype deb package is installed, go to your applications menu and locate the program under “Internet” . Click on the icon and run the program. Those who have Skype accounts already need only login. New Skype users will need to register.
