Ubuntu
skype package

Skype

Asked by Timothy Marshall

I installed two Skype components: Skype plug-in for libpurple messengers

This protocol plugin allows libpurple to communicate with Skype.
Applications using libpurple (Pidgin, Finch, Empathy/Telepathy,
etc.) can thus show your Skype contacts alongside those from
other protocols, and you can communicate with them using that
application instead of the Skype user interface.

This plugin communicates with the Skype application in the
background to perform its work, so it's necessary to have Skype
installed and running.
This product uses the Skype API but is not endorsed, certified
or otherwise approved in any way by Skype.

Canonical does not provide updates for pidgin-skype. Some updates may be provided by the Ubuntu community.

and : Skype plugin for libpurple messengers (debug symbols)

This protocol plugin allows libpurple to communicate with Skype.
Applications using libpurple (Pidgin, Finch, Empathy/Telepathy,
etc.) can thus show your Skype contacts alongside those from
other protocols, and you can communicate with them using that
application instead of the Skype user interface.

This plug-in communicates with the Skype application in the
background to perform its work, so it's necessary to have Skype
installed and running.
This product uses the Skype API but is not endorsed, certified
or otherwise approved in any way by Skype.

This package contains debug symbols for pidgin-skype.

Canonical does not provide updates for pidgin-skype-dbg. Some updates may be provided by the Ubuntu community.

But I can't Find Skype in the Applications. Is it installed and where do I find it so I can start using it?
             Thanks, Timothy.

Question information

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Ubuntu skype Edit question
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Solved by:
Eliah Kagan
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Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#1

According to wiki it should be in Applications -> Internet -> Skype
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Skype

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#2

On Natty using Unity, you need to click on the Ubuntu logo, left on top.
Which may opens a list with all application launchers, search Skype, double click on .desktop file.
Then a symbol will be added to Unity panel
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/_image?target=Baustelle%2FUnity%2Funity_leiste_transparent.png

where one can keep it in launcher by right click.
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/_image?target=Baustelle%2FUnity%2Feinrichten2.png

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#3

For future reference.
Since there will be huge differences between Unity (ubuntu-desktop) and Gnome (ubuntu-classic-desktop) please incl. Ubuntu version and desktop environment in your question.

There is a german wiki about Unity which is still under construction but incl. already useful tips and tricks.
http://translate.google.de/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwiki.ubuntuusers.de%2FBaustelle%2FUnity

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581173
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1596247

Revision history for this message
Timothy Marshall (marshallaw1260) said : 		#4

Sam,
 I'm using the new Ubuntu 11.4 will this help answer the question?
             Thanks, Timothy.

> To: <email address hidden>
> From: <email address hidden>
> Subject: Re: [Question #142979]: Skype
> Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:10:17 +0000
>
> Your question #142979 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/142979
>
> Samantha (aka Sam) proposed the following answer:
> For future reference.
> Since there will be huge differences between Unity (ubuntu-desktop) and Gnome (ubuntu-classic-desktop) please incl. Ubuntu version and desktop environment in your question.
>
> There is a german wiki about Unity which is still under construction but incl. already useful tips and tricks.
> http://translate.google.de/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwiki.ubuntuusers.de%2FBaustelle%2FUnity
>
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581173
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1596247
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/142979/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/142979
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#5

Options are explained above, Natty can be used with Unity or Gnome environment.

Revision history for this message
Brian Thomason (brian-thomason) said : 		#6

Hi Timothy,

You have installed pidgin-skype, not Skype, so you do not have Skype on your system. pidgin-skype is a plugin for the communication application Pidgin which would allow for you to IM users on the Skype network.

Skype itself is available in the Canonical Partner Repository, but is not yet available for 11.04 as Partner packages are not migrated until the release of Beta 1.

Revision history for this message
Timothy Marshall (marshallaw1260) said : 		#7

Hi Brian T.
        Thanks for the help on Skype, you say until the "Beta 1 Release" does that mean in April along with the official release of Ubuntu 11.4?
                    Thank you, Timothy.

> To: <email address hidden>
> From: <email address hidden>
> Subject: RE: [Question #142979]: Skype
> Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:11:52 +0000
>
> Your question #142979 on skype in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/skype/+question/142979
>
> Brian Thomason proposed the following answer:
> Hi Timothy,
>
> You have installed pidgin-skype, not Skype, so you do not have Skype on
> your system. pidgin-skype is a plugin for the communication application
> Pidgin which would allow for you to IM users on the Skype network.
>
> Skype itself is available in the Canonical Partner Repository, but is
> not yet available for 11.04 as Partner packages are not migrated until
> the release of Beta 1.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/skype/+question/142979/+confirm?answer_id=5
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/skype/+question/142979
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#8

Beta comes on 31st of March.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NattyReleaseSchedule

Thanks for the info Brian.

Revision history for this message
Best Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#9

There is an unfortunate bug in Ubuntu 10.10 that makes About Ubuntu tell you incorrectly that you're running 11.04 (see bug 690248). If you are at all unsure, you can check what version of Ubuntu you are running, by opening a Terminal window (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and run the command "lsb_release -d" (without the quotes). To run a command in the Terminal, paste it in and press Enter.

If you *are* running Ubuntu 11.04, then while you cannot yet install Skype from the Canonical Partner repository, you should still be able to download the .deb package from the Skype website and install that:
http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-computer/linux/post-download/

You can grab the version for your architecture (there are separate versions for 32-bit and 64-bit systems).

Revision history for this message
Timothy Marshall (marshallaw1260) said : 		#10

Thanks Eliah Kagan, that solved my question.