Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Iguleder · Last edited by Iguleder on Thu 27 Aug 2009, 06:35; edited 5 times in total

Install Skype on Puppy by Iguleder

This guide instructs you how to install the latest Skype on your Puppy, through the official site. This guide uses static binaries, which means Skype doesn't need any addidional libraries, it comes as an all-in-one package.

Read the instructions carefully and don't get too nervous. I did my best to simplify it as much as possible.

Changelog:

jakfish · Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 711

What a great guide, thanks! I had been thinking about installing a more current version than the pet I have, and here you've made it so easy.

Much obliged,
Jake

don largo · Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

Nice guide Iguleder!

One suggestion, however. Skype needs the files to be unpacked to the following directory: /usr/share/skype/

Be aware that Skype will only look down this path if the Skype folder is named simply Skype and not Skype_static-etc.

Doing this will allow you access to options such as localization and sound files. If you leave everything in /root/skype you can still point Skype to each associated sound, albeit one at a time, through the options panel in Skype. Language file pathways cannot be defined through the option panels.

Iguleder

Sylvander · Posted: Tue 25 Aug 2009, 04:49 Post subject:

A Puppy newbie here. Very Happy

1. I'm running in BoxPup 4.1.3

2. Followed your instructions down to the point where attempting to drag and drop /root/skype/skype to the desktop, but it won't make an icon [shortcut?] on the desktop.
I've tried this using both Xfe and Thunar to do this.

3. Is it possible to put an entry in the Menu instead or additionally?

4. Made a symlink from /root/skype to /usr/share/skype.
What is the function of that?

5. My mic input connection doesn't function [I have a Labtec C-324 headset], and I've bought this USB2 Audio Adapter, which is due for delivery, possibly today, and hopefully will allow me to make use of this installation of Skype.

Iguleder · Posted: Tue 25 Aug 2009, 06:04 Post subject:

Sylvander · Posted: Wed 26 Aug 2009, 04:53 Post subject:

1. Skype is now on the menu and functioning. Very Happy

(a) Made the suggested changes to the skype.desktop file.

(b) Moved the skype.desktop file from /root/skype to /usr/share/applications

2. This "Skype 2.0 for Linux" is rather primitive when compared to my other copy = version 4.1 for Windows. Sad

Is this the most up-to-date version available for [Puppy] Linux?
I might try running version 4.1 for Windows under WINE.

3. Neither copy of Skype is able to see any signal from the mic on my Labtec headset, even though now using my newly bought Lindy USB 2.0 Audio Adapter.

don largo · Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

I think I mislead you with ambiguous terminology. The Skype package comes replete with language options--I was referring to this and not to localization files placed in /usr/share/locale or wherever. If a symlink works, it seems a very reasonable solution which would allow you to place the program elsewhere.

Of course, your comment about localization files being heavy is well taken, but there are those of us who are obliged to deal with foreign languages as a part of daily life. I live in Japan and must have access to English, Japanese and Spanish for both work and play. Using three languages is a daily part of my life, and I find myself in a kind of linguistic Bermuda Triangle--a real headache I can assure you. Anyway, I think you will agree that the beauty of Puppy is size tempered by flexibility.

If you add a note to your tutorial, I'm sure that foreign language or multiple language users will be pleased.

alix_board · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 64 Location: Austria

Hi Iguleder,

thanks a lot for this perfect guide!

greets,
alix_board

Iguleder · Posted: Thu 27 Aug 2009, 06:31 Post subject:

kolnikoff · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks it worked perfectly, i wasn't even necessary to adjust sound parameters

stevesr0 · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 169

I have skype installed and recently realized that it doesn't ring when I get a call.

So I looked on this forum and found the info about adding the symlink and followed the directions.

However, still no wave files are launched for incoming calls.

The sound files are there and I can play them with gxine, but cannot evoke them by calling myself.

Appreciate some suggestions about troubleshooting this.

Thanks in advance

Steve

Iguleder · Posted: Tue 06 Oct 2009, 05:59 Post subject:

I haven't used Skype for a long time, but I think there is an option to cancel sound notifications. Check both the sound settings and the call settings.

stevesr0 · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 169

Thanks for response, iguleder.

I was looking at the guide you posted for installing Skype a few months ago.

In it you mentioned getting notification sound files to work using a tip from Don Largo.

I applied the tip (a symlink) to no avail.

I was hoping that you or Don or someone could help me understand what I am doing wrong and fix it.

I have managed at least a partial fix.

I checked the properties of the wav files and made them executable by everybody. This eliminated the yellow triangle next to the call incoming wav file although the red circle with a minus sign remained.
Didn't seem to work for any of the other Skype wav files.

Steve

sunburnt · Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 4006 Location: Arizona, U.S.A.

HI Iguleder; This looks perfect for making a SFS file out of.
In fact it looks perfect for jrb`s ChoicePup, it has non-union SFS files.
Being as this runs out of a dir. that`s anywhere, it`ll definitely work.