Installing latest Skype for linux outside your pupsave

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mcewanw
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Installing latest Skype for linux outside your pupsave

#1 Post by mcewanw »

This is an alternative to using an sfs.

NOTE WELL: Don't install the provided skype.desktop dotpet unless you've read this carefully and understood it. In particular don't install it if you already have skype because it would overwrite your existing skype.desktop file.

You can share the same Skype between different frugal installs of Puppy without using up any space on your pupsave file by storing the skype program directory in directory /mnt/home. It even works if your /mnt/home directory is on ntfs filesystem as do tricks with symlinks, contrary to other rumours, per the post I made here: http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic. ... 748#652748. I'm not in any case using any symlink here for skype however, just a suitably crafted skype.desktop file.

This has been tested on Lupu-528-005, Slacko-5.3.3, Slacko-5.4 Beta and Precise 5.4 (The version of Skype below doesn't unfortunately seem to work on wary 5.3 because incompatible glibc - I think...)

Steps:

1. Download skype static from http://www.skype.com/intl/en/get-skype/ ... ing.static for linux to your /mnt/home directory. The latest at today's date (16 sept 2012) is skype_staticQT-4.0.0.8.

2. Click on the download and extract it to /mnt/home. It all ends up in its own directory called skype_staticQT-4.0.0.8. i.e. You should now have a directory /mnt/home/skype_staticQT-4.0.0.8 which contains the skype program and everything to do with it.

3. Finally, make a text file called skype.desktop with the following contents and copy it into directory /usr/share/applications

EDIT: I have now added in to the attached dotpet the small extra /usr/bin/skype script suggested by 666philB below so that sound notifications will work and the alteration below "Exec=skype" is on account of that change:

Code: Select all

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Skype
Icon=/mnt/home/skype_staticQT-4.0.0.8/icons/SkypeBlue_16x16.png
Comment=Skype
Exec=skype
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=X-Internet
GenericName=Skype
Clearly, as new version numbers of linux static skype are released, you have to change the skype directory name above to match that.

That's all there is to it. Lots of other ways to do this, but this is easy and works.

When you next restart your system (or window manager) you'll find the skype startup icon under menu category "Internet". Like I said, you can copy the above skype.desktop file into more than one frugally installed puppy and share the same skype in /mnt/home/skype_staticQT-4.0.0.8

Just to make the above even easier, here is a tiny tiny dotpet, which simply contains the above skype.desktop and automatically puts it into the /usr/share/applications directory for you. But, I repeat... DO NOT install this is you already have skype installed on your puppy because it will overwrite any existing skype.desktop already in there.
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skypeDesktopfileOnly-4.0.0.8.pet
Do NOT install if you already have skype!
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Last edited by mcewanw on Mon 05 Nov 2012, 03:49, edited 2 times in total.
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elcurita
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#2 Post by elcurita »

It works beatiful on Precise Beta 6

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666philb
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#3 Post by 666philb »

hi mcewanw,

i discovered a problem with starting the skype static with a symlink or directly calling it from a desktop file. you'll find you have no sound notifications.

for some reason skype needs to be started directly from the folder it's in, not called from outside it with a link or path. try it yourself and see,

to get round this i put a small script called skype in /usr/bin/

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
cd /mnt/home/skype_staticQT-4.0.0.8/
./skype

the 'exec' line in the .desktop file should be changed to call the script 'Exec=skype'
the script has the same effect as directly opening the folder and then clicking on the skype binary. and sound notifications will now work. :D
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331

mcewanw
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#4 Post by mcewanw »

Thanks 666philB,

I added your suggested small script to the dotpet in the first post and modified the desktop file accordingly. I haven't tested sound notifications but hope all is fine now.
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tannaroo
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#5 Post by tannaroo »

hi all,
i followed the instructions above and installed skype and the pet desktop only file.

when i click skype on menu, internet, skype - nothing happens.

therefore, skype doesn't boot up.

i tried rebooting but still skype doesn't boot up.

is there something that can done?

using precise puppy 5.4

thanks

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666philb
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#6 Post by 666philb »

hi tannaroo

the desktop file may need to be altered to work with your skype .... can you try starting skype from within the skype folder (just click on the skype binary), to check that it's working
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331

tannaroo
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#7 Post by tannaroo »

Hi 666philb,

Sorry for lack of knowledge but is that file the one with the gear icon in mnt/home/?

If so, I clicked on that and nothing happens.

I also clicked the skype icon in usr/bin and again nothing happens.

Thanks tan

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666philb
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#8 Post by 666philb »

hi tannaroo,

maybe uninstall the skype you are using and try this one
http://e-nautia.com/disk/download.php?id=4731598 it's working fine for me in precise.

you can uninstall programs in the PPM (puppy package manager) just left click on the program you want to uninstall.

to load the sfs, right click on it and choose 'sfs load' then choose 'move' if it asks you.

if this skype fails to start ... click the 'home' icon on the desktop. then click the 'eye' at the top of the window to show hidden files. and delete the '.Skype' folder if there is one
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331

tannaroo
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#9 Post by tannaroo »

666philb wrote:hi tannaroo,

maybe uninstall the skype you are using and try this one
http://e-nautia.com/disk/download.php?id=4731598 it's working fine for me in precise.

you can uninstall programs in the PPM (puppy package manager) just left click on the program you want to uninstall.

to load the sfs, right click on it and choose 'sfs load' then choose 'move' if it asks you.

if this skype fails to start ... click the 'home' icon on the desktop. then click the 'eye' at the top of the window to show hidden files. and delete the '.Skype' folder if there is one
hi Phil666b,

i followed these instructions and remove all skype versions and loaded the sfs version. removed the .skype from home and tried to launch skype from the menu.

but again it did nothing.

there is a new .skype folder in home.

i've managed to install other applications with no problems but skype just doesnt want to work.

do you have any other suggestions please?

EDIT: i've also tried to launch the the 'gear' skype icon in opt/skype but still did nothing.

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666philb
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#10 Post by 666philb »

hi tannaroo

can you run it from a terminal.... just click the console icon on the desktop and type skype.

you can copy the resulting output here by highlighting the text and using middle click to paste.
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331

tannaroo
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#11 Post by tannaroo »

Ok.

Typed "skype" in console.

the cursor just blinks for about 5 secs, then stops blinking for about 3 seconds.

then says "Aborted"

EDIT: also tried removing the shared.xml file from /.Skype and adding a new folder /Logs in /.Skype (i saw this possible solutions from other discussions). But still Skype doesnt work and console says aborted.

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666philb
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#12 Post by 666philb »

hi tannaroo,

sorry i just tested that skype i gave a link to and it doesn't work in a vanilla puppy, this one however does http://www.mediafire.com/file/tcvzjwoc2 ... 4_sfs4.sfs it's not the very latest but should work hopefully.

uninstall any other skype first and it might be an idea to delete the /root/.Skype folder as well

fingers crossed
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331

tannaroo
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#13 Post by tannaroo »

Thanks 666philb.

I installed new skype application. Still didn't load up but I typed skype in the console. And it went further this time. This is what it says:

# skype
/usr/bin/skype: line 2: 10970 Aborted ./skype
#

So I went to the /usr/bin/skype file and it reads:

cd /opt/skype4
./skype

So then I went to opt/skype4 directory. I only see the skype 'gear' icon no folder called skype.

It seems we are getting closer?

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666philb
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#14 Post by 666philb »

hi tannaroo,

that skype works in a fresh precise puppy and retro precise (i tested it) , so my thoughts are that maybe something may of got messed up with your puppy. to test can you boot live (without loading the savefile)

if you boot from the cd and at the boot screen press 'F2' i think to get the boot options and then type

Code: Select all

puppy pfix=ram
this boots live without a savefile.

if you're booting with 'grub4dos' at the grub4dos menu screen ,select your puppy with the cursor keys and press 'e' to edit ... then select the kernel line and press 'e' again. change the end to 'pfix=ram' and press 'b' to boot

Code: Select all

'EXAMPLE'...... kernel /precise/vmlinuz   psubdir=precise pmedia=atahd pfix=ram
if you have a full install you'll have to boot with a cd or usb
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331

tannaroo
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Joined: Sun 17 Feb 2013, 05:33

#15 Post by tannaroo »

hi 666philb,

i really appreciate your help. i think you have been great.

i decided to ditch puppy linux and skype. just dont have the patience for it anymore.

again, thanks for your help.

cheers
tan

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