Keeping Skype up to date
 

I rarely use Skype but once in a blue moon I find that I need it. Maybe it is just me but whenever I try to use it, it seems to be out of date.

I also notice that the SlackBuild on Sbo has occasionally been out of date. No real complaints, I understand why this is, but it does result in an extra step or two to fetch the new version.

Anyway, long story short, I adapted one of my “latest-browser” scripts (latest-vivaldi, latest-firefox, latest-chrome & latest-opera) and made a “latest-skype”. Seems to work for me at least. Possibly of no interest to anyone else but I thought I'd mention it nonetheless.

What is video quality on Linux? Is it usable?

I never used Skype until I had to work out-of-town. My wife used it to communicate with her brother in the Air Force. I do agree, slackbuilds.org is behind and outdated on a lot of software. Appreciate your contribution and love your scripts. Thanks ruario.

Seems about the same as I've seen on other people's windows machines, faces are recognisable but it doesn't take very long before it lags. Not my first choice, but at the moment it's the only way of regularly seeing my mac using, overseas living offspring.

Just one of the reasons I bought a cheap Windows phone. It turned out to be a great phone in many other regards as well.

Drop it like a hot potato.
 

I can not believe people are still promoting this PoS.

Y'all ain't boned up on recent history lately.

Skype bans Offensive Language

You better be careful what you say to your wife on Skype et al.; Microsoft et al. are watching you. :p

Microsoft is on its way to hell in a handbasket, the reason I use Linux occasionally. I've been on Linux almost 3 years now, its not so bad but I still use Windows because of corporate.

Actually I have. Though as stated, I used it once in a blue moon, typically for work, where the other party requests it.

No problem, I tend to speak to my wife in person.

I have the same machine dual booting both Windows and Linux. I see no real difference.

If people want something different, there is always https://appear.in

Thanks for the recommendation for an alternative video chat service. I have to use Skype for Business for work. I find it awkward to use and our default setup not intuitive to use; there is almost always someone who uses it wrong. WebEx has its issues but seemed easier for users and more polished.

For personal video chat (I use it rarely but will probably start using it more), I would like an alternative to Skype and Facebook Messenger, which are the two my family uses now. FaceTime is not an option for me.

Is the CEO any relation? If so, my best wishes for success with the venture.

Thanks ruario.

Another very nice script.

Your `latest-skype.sh` ran without issue ; I installed the resulting skypeforlinux-8.18.0.6-x86_64-1ro.tgz and skypeforlinux works as expected on my Slackware64 14.2 Multilib + NVidia Blob Laptop.

Alas, I've always used the excuse "I don't have am up-to-date Skype Client for Linux" when asked to attend a Skype call.

Sigh ... I can no longer use that excuse any more.

And now I guess I'll have to get a Bluetooth Headset so I don't have to yell at my Laptop Screen when I use skypeforlinux :)

And worst of all, I'll have to put on some clothes while I work so I don't scare the other participants on the Skype Calls :) :)

Thanks again, latest-skype.sh is a keeper !

-- kjh

Another option (which I use) is https://web.skype.com. In a chromium based browser (vivaldi in my case, my wife uses chrome) it works and looks exactly as the standalone program. Nothing to install and always the latest version. :-)

No, despite her awesome last name, she is not a relation (AFAIK). I did once converse with her via email on running volunteer programs for our relative products (Opera [at the time] and appear.in) and we follow each other on twitter but these types of interactions are primarily because the Norwegian tech community is relatively small. I think she has done a good job with appear.in and people here recognise that.

https://blog.appear.in/blog/ingrid-o...ch-women-award

Also, she seems like a really nice person. Though perhaps this is true of anyone with that last name! :P

I actually had this in a Vivaldi web panel for a while but only used it for text based messaging via Skype. I guess there is no reason why video wouldn't work as well in the browser. I mean their application is Chromium/Electron based after all. Nonetheless I prefer the idea of a standalone app that can just run in the background. I mess around with my browser quite a bit and often run cutting edge internal versions. Though I realise this is not true for everyone here :P