Unable to login/connect with Skype 4.2.0.11 on Debian 7.0
 

I am unable to log in to skype on Debian 7.0 (Wheezy). When I type in my username and password, the little "waiting" animation (the animated circle to the right of the login field) just keeps going for several minutes, and then I get an error message that says (in typical useless Microsoft error message style) "Skype can't connect". When I try running skype from the command line, I get no error output there either.

I'm sure my username/pass are correct -- I even changed my Skype password to make sure, and tested it by logging into the Skype website.

I have downloaded the latest version of skype (skype-debian_4.2.0.11-1_i386) and I tried wiping out the ~/.Skype directory and reinstalling Skype ... this didn't fix it.

My firewall has ports 80 and 443 open, as well as the "incoming" port in the skype settings.

How can I figure out why "Skype can't connect?" What else could I try?

You dont need any open ports for Skype to work. Skype does its own "hole punching" by extablishing a connection from your computer outward then using the established TCP connection.
If you have firewall you have to let traffic out (which is the default behavior usually).

This will get you started:
while trying to login to skype should work.

Same problem, same conditions. Habitual's method doesn't work for me.

oh, why are there people still holding on Skype!