Skype 'musings' & related stuff...
Posted: Mon 05 Jun 2017, 20:52
Evening, all.
Just to let y'all know, the Qt-based Skype 4.3 desktop client will quit working after the 1st July this year...for good. After this date, it'll refuse to work at all, as the API is being retired from service.
Screenshot from the Skype downloads for Linux webpage:-
This is reported on the OMG! Ubuntu site, here:-
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/06/skyp ... -july-2017
No doubt some of you have been hearing about the fuss generated by MicroSoft's decision to overhaul the app's GUI, and to make it more SnapChat-like. This has thoroughly annoyed an awful lot of people around the world, especially in the business community, where it's used by many organizations for conference calls, and keeping in touch with operatives in the field.
Not only this, but after it's been released initially for Android(!), followed by Windows, Mac, and finally iOS, that's it; that's as far as development of the new version goes.
Linux users don't get a look-in on this new version.....at all.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/06/micr ... ux-support
We're not totally abandoned, though. There is an Electron-based Skype for Linux 'Beta' now out, following on from the 'Skype for Linux alpha' that was released last year. If you download the .deb package on the Skype downloads page, this is what you will get. Skype for Linux Beta 5.3.
Unfortunately, it's only available in a 64-bit package; so you'll need to run a 64-bit Pup in order to try it out. It installs, and runs with no hassle in Tahr64 6.05; I haven't yet tried Slacko64.....it may install, it may not. We all know .debs are somewhat hit & miss in the 'Slackos'. To those of you who have tried the browser-based 'Skype for Web', this beta will look very familiar, as it's the exact same interface. In fact, I believe it is the web interface, just on the desktop. (I'm doubly convinced of that, as I've been using the browser version with the 'dark' theme, since 4.3 hasn't been working properly for months.....and the 'beta' version picked it up, and switched from 'light' to 'dark', within seconds of start-up.) The difference is supposed to be that video-calling works in the Beta, where it didn't in the Alpha.....
We shall see..!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This will be, for some of you, a golden opportunity to start exploring the many modern alternatives out there. Here's a few suggestions:-
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fed-up-wit ... ernatives/
One that isn't mentioned is WIRE. I covered this in my recent thread on using AppImages, here:-
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=110078
I've been using this to correspond with a couple of friends in the States.....and so far, it's been working flawlessly. It's run in every Pup I've tried it in, 32- and 64-bit alike; there are AppImages available for both.
I'll be experimenting with the new Electron-based 5.3 Beta, and I'll keep y'all posted.
Mike.
Just to let y'all know, the Qt-based Skype 4.3 desktop client will quit working after the 1st July this year...for good. After this date, it'll refuse to work at all, as the API is being retired from service.
Screenshot from the Skype downloads for Linux webpage:-
This is reported on the OMG! Ubuntu site, here:-
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/06/skyp ... -july-2017
No doubt some of you have been hearing about the fuss generated by MicroSoft's decision to overhaul the app's GUI, and to make it more SnapChat-like. This has thoroughly annoyed an awful lot of people around the world, especially in the business community, where it's used by many organizations for conference calls, and keeping in touch with operatives in the field.
Not only this, but after it's been released initially for Android(!), followed by Windows, Mac, and finally iOS, that's it; that's as far as development of the new version goes.
Linux users don't get a look-in on this new version.....at all.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/06/micr ... ux-support
We're not totally abandoned, though. There is an Electron-based Skype for Linux 'Beta' now out, following on from the 'Skype for Linux alpha' that was released last year. If you download the .deb package on the Skype downloads page, this is what you will get. Skype for Linux Beta 5.3.
Unfortunately, it's only available in a 64-bit package; so you'll need to run a 64-bit Pup in order to try it out. It installs, and runs with no hassle in Tahr64 6.05; I haven't yet tried Slacko64.....it may install, it may not. We all know .debs are somewhat hit & miss in the 'Slackos'. To those of you who have tried the browser-based 'Skype for Web', this beta will look very familiar, as it's the exact same interface. In fact, I believe it is the web interface, just on the desktop. (I'm doubly convinced of that, as I've been using the browser version with the 'dark' theme, since 4.3 hasn't been working properly for months.....and the 'beta' version picked it up, and switched from 'light' to 'dark', within seconds of start-up.) The difference is supposed to be that video-calling works in the Beta, where it didn't in the Alpha.....
We shall see..!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This will be, for some of you, a golden opportunity to start exploring the many modern alternatives out there. Here's a few suggestions:-
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fed-up-wit ... ernatives/
One that isn't mentioned is WIRE. I covered this in my recent thread on using AppImages, here:-
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=110078
I've been using this to correspond with a couple of friends in the States.....and so far, it's been working flawlessly. It's run in every Pup I've tried it in, 32- and 64-bit alike; there are AppImages available for both.
I'll be experimenting with the new Electron-based 5.3 Beta, and I'll keep y'all posted.
Mike.