Skype For Linux Adds 'Experimental' Video Calls, Disables Some Alpha Versions

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.

Re:

[wkwilley2]

Seconded. I actually switched to Hangouts permanently after my move to Linux.

Skype had it's merits, but definitely had it's share of issues on Windows and it is a waste of RAM on linux.

Re: Skype alternatives

[chipperdog]

meet.jitsi.org Google Hangouts Many SIP clients

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll never understand why someone thinks other people want to see them on a phone call (or for that matter, for the caller to want other people to see *them*).

Re:

[dargaud]

On normal phones calls I don't. But when your parents want to see and talk with your 2-year old then, yes, it is invaluable.

Re:

[scdeimos]

Mainly it's C-level people wanting to spend $10,000 per end on LifeSize teleconferencing units. Most other people are happy to voice chat while in their underwear (or not) and have the other parties completely unaware of this.

Re:

[NotInHere]

If you have modern browsers at both sides of the connection (supporting webrtc: http://caniuse.com/#feat=rtcpe... [caniuse.com]), there are many online sites that require no account setup or anything else, and where a connection can be done by clicking a link. No plugins required.

It needs a separate channel e.g. chat to set it up (where you can send your communication partner the link, or ask them to talk via the webrtc), but it works.

https://talky.io/ [talky.io]
https://appear.in/ [appear.in]
https://meet.jit.si/ [meet.jit.si]
https://apprtc.appspot.com/ [appspot.com]

Re:

[NotInHere]

I think the ID number is some sort of public key, so you can't impersonate other people.

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:

[swillden]

So, is there any dummy-friendly video call software for Linux out there that supports conferencing with multiple users?

Google Hangouts. Works great. I use it for all of my meetings -- usually 2-3 hours per day (I work for Google). Works on Linux, OS X, Windows, ChromeOS, Android and iOS, supports up to tens of users in one call (limit is 50, IIRC). There are dedicated systems available for it as well, based on Chromeboxes. It allows any user to cast their screen/window for presentations or whatnot.

If you use Google Calendar, Hangouts is integrated with your calendar; there's a URL you can go to that shows your calendar en

Late as hell

[Anonymous Coward]

Its a bit late seeing as Skype is falling out of use due to being total crap in everything it does.

Tried skype on Linux last week...

[QuietLagoon]

I tried to install and run Skype on my Debian 8 install last week. Major fail.

.
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.

Re:

[S.O.B.]

According to the Oxford dictionary using "fail" informally to mean "a mistake or lack of success in doing something" is an acceptable use.

So, your correction would be an epic fail.

'Disables some Alpha versions'?

[unixisc]

It's okay to drop Alpha versions altogether - that CPU - great as it was - has been dead for I think a decade now.

Thank god for web-based video chat

[mugurel]

so we don't have to put up with this crap anymore

Never ever loaded

[thundercattt]

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

Wait what?

[Anonymous Coward]

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?

Old news

[Air-conditioned cowh]

Newsflash! Skype for Linux is up to version 4.3 and has had video calls for years now.

Unsaid

[ThatsNotPudding]

"The NSA plug-ins are still acting up."

Need to try

[fabiosarts]

Time to bring my GCC to work :D