Skype for Linux Alpha and Calling on Chrome and Chromebooks

[Vexs]

You know what I want? I want the old linux client to work. It didn't have the stupid bubbly UI bloated with ads and "big, friendly buttons" it had functional utility, separate windows, and a much more pleasant user experience just by being unpretty.

As it is, I'm glad I have to use it less and less in favor of discord, which is by all accounts, far, far superior.

[pjmlp]

I know zero people on discord and 100% of my contacts are on Skype.

[hackernews2000]

Millions of people use Skype for video calls, which Discord doesn't support.

[ronjouch]

I for one consider separate windows a nuisance. I like the new consolidated "all in one" UI, just like I liked when browsers moved to tabs.

Honest question: what's the added value of separate windows (to be precise, separating contact list from discussions) to you?

[pmlnr]

I guess you mean the 2.x as old. That was a good piece of software while it lasted, and I miss it too.

But hey, it's M$ now, so get used to flat designed ads.

[cm3]

In case anyone's wondering, this is Electron using the WebRTC version of Skype. I wonder why they didn't just promote the WebRTC site instead. It would make it easier to have the latest security updates in the browser engine without waiting for Skype (Microsoft) to publish an update.

[ronjouch]

Personal guess: while functional (nit: only on Chrome for now :-/ ), the WebRTC site lacks some desktop features (integration, hotkeys, more control on notifications, etc) that they want to provide, and that are covered by the Electron API. For now there's none of it, but I think we'll see those appear little by little.

[hackernews2000]

For the same reason they don't promote it to Windows users (which will have a similar program in the future replacing the current "native" software): better integration, system tray support, no need to keep your browser open or to enable browser notifications in the desktop, directly accessing and managing your camera and microphone without relying on your browser support and settings etc.

[neverminder]

So I'm guessing the major "improvement" is that we're getting ads with this version just like Windows users had for a while now?

[hackernews2000]

The current (abandoned) Linux client doesn't even support group calls anymore.

And if there are ads, just like Windows users, you will be able to block the ads with your hosts file.

[Shorel]

I'm using it and no ads so far.

[ronjouch]

For those wondering: yes it's an Electron-based app; it's a packaged version of web.skype.com

[Longhanks]

Is anyone (especiaially on Linux) still using Skype these days?

[snaky]

The whole world outside US, basically.

[larrik]

As someone working in the "Open Source" division of a Microsoft shop: yup.

[samsonradu]

Finally! I've been using web.skype.com for over a year now, lacking video/audio calls (usually handling those from my phone)

[hackernews2000]

> We will be releasing updates to Skype for Linux every couple of weeks and we hope that video calling, and group video calling will be available in the coming couple of releases.

https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34656/more-information-ab...

[Wheaties466]

I wonder how quick this will be up on AUR.

[chrisper]

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/skypeforlinux-bin/

[chinarulezzz]

In the new version are absent: * One-to one video calling * Skype PSTN calling * Skype SMS messages * Buy Skype credit * Add participants to ongoing call * Change device settings

At that, this client support only the new version of the protocol, and can interact with fresh releases of Skype for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, but can not make and receive calls from the old client for Linux 4.3.0.37.

EEE. From m$ with love.