Skype

Introduction

Skype is proprietary software that allows you to make calls over the Internet using your computer. Skype uses decentralized peer-to-peer technologies, so your calls do not go through a central server, but through distributed servers and other users. It uses its own proprietary communication protocol to achieve this. In addition, all communications are encrypted from end to end so that others cannot listen in. The Skype software is free to use, but it is not free software; the source code is proprietary and not available for modification.

General information about Skype can be found here at, Wikipedia. The official Skype website is Skype.com

SkypeEthics gives information on why some users do not use Skype.

Open alternatives Softphones using open protocols include Ekiga and Twinkle.

You need a working sound input and output configuration in order to use Skype. Most modern computers have sound output out of the box, but you need a microphone (or a headset, while you are out shopping) for the input. In order to broadcast video, you’ll need a webcam – see SkypeWebCams.

Installing Skype

Users of 64-bit Ubuntu, should enable MultiArch if it isn’t already enabled by running the command

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

Since Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx), Skype is part of the Canonical partner repository. To install Skype add the Canonical Partner Repository. You can do this by running the command

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"

Then install Skype via the Software-Center or via the Terminal.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype

It is highly recommended to use the package provided in the Canonical partner repository, not the one distributed from the skype website, as the skype website currently points users to the wrong package for 64-bit systems of Ubuntu 11.10 and above.

Source: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Skype