Linux for Travelers - Skype on Linux

Getting Skype for Linux

LFT — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 11:58:09 -0400

Skype is a popular VoIP program that some travelers use. It provides a way to make voice calls over the Internet. Skype runs well on Linux.

Installing Skype on Linux

If you are using Ubuntu Linux, then just use the free EasyUbuntu tool to get Skype.

If you are using another type of Linux, you can get Skype from the Skype for Linux download page. Downloads are available to install Skype on SuSE, Fedora Core, Mandriva, Xandros, MEPIS, and Debian Linux, as well as a generic "Dynamic binary tar.bz" file. The easiest installation method is with Ubuntu, but if you are running a live CD with the KDE desktop you can probably use the tar.bz file and download Skype into the computer's memory while the live CD is running.

Instructions for downloading Skype on-the-go are coming soon.

Skype on the Mepis Linux Live CD

LFT — Sat, 27 May 2006 01:33:35 -0400

Mepis is a Linux live CD that includes Skype by default. This screenshot is the default Simply Mepis 3.4.3 live CD, running Skype, Kaffeine media player, and the Firefox browser. The open menu shows that there are a large number of included applications, including the entire OpenOffice suite. OpenOffice is useful because it can open and save files in Microsoft Office file formats as well as its own Open Document Format.

Mepis is a full-featured desktop Linux that is designed to be installed to the hard drive. The CD is maxed out at a full 700MB and runs more slowly from a live CD than smaller live CDs like Damn Small Linux or Slax.

Skype Runs on Linux

LFT — Fri, 26 May 2006 02:29:38 -0400

Skype runs on Linux. Mepis Linux is a live CD that includes Skype. You can download a Mepix Linux ISO file from their download page and burn it to a cd just like any other Linux ISO disk image file.