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Skype For Linux Adds 'Experimental' Video Calls, Disables Some Alpha Versions (skype.com)
An anonymous Slashdot reader writes:
This morning Skype released version 1.10 of Skype for Linux which includes an "experimental version" of video calls. "We are not quite there. The 1-on-1 video calls work only between Skype for Linux Alpha clients for now," warns an announcement on the Skype forum. "Despite the early phase, we'd like to ask you, the Linux community, to help us with testing. Please let us know how the video works for you."
They're also disabling some older versions of the Skype for Linux Alpha (versions 1.1 through 1.6), saying "Those users will be asked to update to [the] latest version." But after a 20-month lull between releases for the old app, it's refreshing to see a much faster pace for development for this new WebRTC version. It's been less than a month since the release of version 1.8, and two weeks since version 1.9 came out, offering support for system HTTPS proxy.
They're also disabling some older versions of the Skype for Linux Alpha (versions 1.1 through 1.6), saying "Those users will be asked to update to [the] latest version." But after a 20-month lull between releases for the old app, it's refreshing to see a much faster pace for development for this new WebRTC version. It's been less than a month since the release of version 1.8, and two weeks since version 1.9 came out, offering support for system HTTPS proxy.
Keep these hacker Linux users off my skype calls! I don't want them stealing my personal info and trying to break into my computers!
Are there any REAL Skype alternatives for Linux? For all of its warts, Skype always worked fine for me in Linux (doing Linux-to-Linux and Linux-to-Windows calls, at least).
I know that are many (too many, actually) applications, web-based portals and protocols for chat and instant messaging.
But for video calls there's almost nothing. There are some SIP-based applications (linphone, for example), but the set-up is insane. You need your own SIP server, and you have to handle NAT traversal yourself (which is an absolute nightmare). And last I checked (which was a long time ago) you could only do 1-on-1 video calls.
So, is there any dummy-friendly video call software for Linux out there that supports conferencing with multiple users?
Its a bit late seeing as Skype is falling out of use due to being total crap in everything it does.
.
I had a couple of video calls to do, so I just punted Skype and used google+ hangouts instead. It just worked.
I don't have the time to waste in my business while Microsoft tries to figure out how to release working software.
this is a clear sign that it is the year of Linux Desktop
Please let us know how the video works for you.
Normally I would be happy to do so. But I would sooner stab myself with a fork than let Skype anywhere near my personal system.
Among other things, "Skype is not considered to be a secure VoIP system as the calls made over the network are routinely monitored by Microsoft and by Government agencies. ... Chinese, Russian and United States law enforcement agencies have the ability to eavesdrop on Skype conversations, ... simple request for information is sufficient, and no court approval is needed ... his ability was deliberately added by Microsoft after they purchased Skype in 2011 ... flaws made it possible for hackers to run hostile code on computers running vulnerable versions of Skype ... attacker to use a buffer overflow to crash the system or to force it to execute arbitrary code. ... "
It goes on and on.
No thank you.
It's okay to drop Alpha versions altogether - that CPU - great as it was - has been dead for I think a decade now.
It's yet another neutered electron app. This is not cause for celebration, its cause for a continuing recognifiton of microsoft's decision to strategically slight linux while taking everyting we have to offer (eg: everything)
AppPe is an appy app app that lets you app apps while apping other apps! LUDDITE Linux users are too stupid to figure out how to app apps, so they're still refusing to app this app even though it's super appy!
Apps!
Remember when Skype for Linux actually worked, and behaved like its Windows counterpart? Some time right before Microsoft bought Skype, if I recall.
so we don't have to put up with this crap anymore
Every time I need Skype for Linux, I attempt to install, reinstall, crowbar and there's always an issue with some file that's not the right version that's linked to other major files and won't update without breaking. NEVER have I gotten it on my system. I've always had to install it in Virtualized Windoze
I've used Skype on linux the past.. like.. 6 years?
It's had video support all along, and worked perfectly all along. Even before MS got it, there was video support.. What'd I miss?
Newsflash! Skype for Linux is up to version 4.3 and has had video calls for years now.
Installed, installed the required pulseaudio, found out that pulseaudio was fucking up music, uninstalled.
"The NSA plug-ins are still acting up."
But it doesn't gather any useful intel since everyone knows it and the baddies avoid using it.
The reason Linux support got dropped is the same as the reason you can go Linux to current MS Skype with the new version: There are hooks, backdoors, and breakable encryption in the current MS versions. Having an open source Skype talk to that would paint big red targets on all these areas.
Just say no to Skype and use open source, well encrypted alternatives until the government admits to what it is doing and why.
I wouldn't even mind using it if the government would just admit to what it is doing and get the laws changed to make what they are doing legal.
Time to bring my GCC to work :D