Microsoft Finally Releases A Beta Version of Skype For Linux (betanews.com)

"We want to create a Linux version of Skype that is as feature rich as the existing Skype on desktop and mobile platforms," read Thursday's announcement from Microsoft's Skype team. "Today, we're pleased to announce that we are ready to take the next step and promote Skype for Linux from Alpha to Beta." They're promising more than just better performance and bug fixes. "We have been listening to you and added in some of your top requests." Slashdot reader BrianFagioli shares the list:

• One-to-one video calls can be made from Linux to Skype users on the latest versions of Skype for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
• Calls to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit.
• Linux users can now view shared screens from other Skype desktop clients (Windows 7.33 and above, Mac 7.46 and above).
• Unity launcher now shows the number of unread conversations.
• Online contacts in contact list now include Away and Do Not Disturb statuses.

Comments

no group chat?

[gmack]

No group chat for Linux? This is actually a step backwards.

No text search

[kav2k]

Even though text messaging isn't the main feature of Skype, still not having any ability to search for text in conversation is crippling.

Skype is a surveillance tool - Don't use it

[Nocturrne]

Why are people still using this? It's been known to be compromised by the US and Chinese governments for a long time. China even has their own "special" version ffs. https://www.amnesty.org.au/act... http://www.nartv.org/mirror/br... Maybe they realized some people they disagree with are using Linux, so they needed to make a Linux version to gather that additional intel.

They've been listening...

[nowsharing]

"We have been listening to you"

In fact, we've heard everything you've said.

Seriously, who uses Skype these days?

[yelvington]

Skype was a big deal back in the day. I can remember holding my laptop up to a window in Paris to steal an unsecured wifi signal and phone home. Wowza! But that was ten years ago. I have dozens of VoIP and video conferencing choices. The world has moved on and Microsoft is the backwater, not the mainstream.

I spent a week in Ukraine a few months ago and wound up on a three-hour conference call with work back in the US, using Google Voice. (Whether that's progress or not is open to debate.) But I was not concerned about losing the 10-euro credit on my Skype account when I got an expiration notice from the Borg.

Like the VHS tapes I just hauled off to Goodwill ... I just don't need it any more.

Circumventing

[DrYak]

2 key things :

- Skype has also a web interface. You can either run into your firefox browser (thus no local daemons). Or use Eion Robb's excellent "skypeweb" plugin for Pidgin / libPurple.
(And last time I've read about it, this official new Linux client is basically the web app in its own self-contained app)

- OTR is a message encryption that works over any protocol. It's completely agnostic to the messaging system underneath.
If you want to avoid your privacy exploded, you could try to use it (but if both of your use non standard client able to run OTR atop of it, you might better switch to another network).