Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Richmond]

"Juan R.D. Silva"  writes:

> Hi folks,
>
> I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago
> it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into
> it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and
> basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.
>
> Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my
> system. Unfortunately, I still need Skype and I do not see any
> alternative but to concede to MS (and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.
>
> Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that
> thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?
>
> Thanks

You can use skype from the web page, web.skype.com, without installing
it. Maybe that would do?

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Jeffrey Walton]

On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 10:53 PM George at Clug  wrote:
>
>  [...]
>
> I am guessing you have tried 'Skype for Web' ?  How did you find it? If it 
> does not suite your purposes, I would like to know why, as 'Skype for Web' 
> might be a solution for myself if it works enough.
>
> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/skype-for-web-preview-your-most-asked-questions-9c4836e4-5cdb-4261-ae46-d919b974af8a
> Skype for Web (Preview) - your most asked questions
>
> I want to try the Skype for Web (Preview) experience. How do I do that?
> Please go to https://preview.web.skype.com and sign into Skype.

Skype for Web looks like it could be a good alternative for OP. It has
been around since 2019. Cf.,
.

Both the Linux app from the *.deb and the browser-based app (and other
package formats, like MSI) likely use the web security model, so you
are f**k'd with either one. There's probably no benefit to using one
over the other. Neither can provide a secure channel, and both will
happily allow interception of your calls.

Skype also points people to their community for questions:
. Maybe someone in the community
can answer the OP's questions, like what it's like to use the snap
version of the app.

Jeff

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[David Wright]

On Fri 31 May 2024 at 08:48:33 (+0800), Bret Busby wrote:
> On 31/5/24 08:04, David Wright wrote:
> > On Fri 31 May 2024 at 07:57:22 (+0800), Bret Busby wrote:
> > > On 31/5/24 07:49, Keith Bainbridge wrote:
> > > > wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > Trying to access that URL with SeaMonkey, to view the directory
> > > listing (to find version numbers), returned the following;
> > > 
> > > "
> > > An error occurred while processing your request.
> > > 
> > > Reference #97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb
> > > 
> > > https://errors.edgesuite.net/97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb
> > > "
> > 
> > It took a few seconds while it thought about it (I thought it might
> > time out), but it worked here (KS):
> > 
> >$ wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
> >--2024-05-30 18:59:55--  
> > https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
> >Resolving repo.skype.com (repo.skype.com)... 23.32.128.139, 
> > 2001:578:2c:fe8b::1263, 2001:578:2c:fe99::1263
> >Connecting to repo.skype.com (repo.skype.com)|23.32.128.139|:443... 
> > connected.
> >HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
> >Length: 122062452 (116M) [application/x-debian-package]
> >Saving to: ‘skypeforlinux-64.deb’
> >skypeforlinux-64.deb
> > 100%[=>] 116.41M  9.19MB/sin 12s
> >2024-05-30 19:00:27 (9.34 MB/s) - ‘skypeforlinux-64.deb’ saved 
> > [122062452/122062452]
> >$
> 
> If you install it, please tell me what is the version number.
> 
> Thank you in anticipation.

I haven't, but DEBIAN/control is attached, and there are
several occurrences of v8 in the main binary.

Cheers,
David.
Package: skypeforlinux
Version: 8.109.0.209
Architecture: amd64
Maintainer: Skype Technologies S.A. 
Installed-Size: 312110
Depends: libasound2 (>= 1.0.16), libatk-bridge2.0-0 (>= 2.5.3), libatk1.0-0 (>= 
2.2.0), libatspi2.0-0 (>= 2.9.90), libc6 (>= 2.17), libcairo2 (>= 1.6.0), 
libdrm2 (>= 2.4.38), libexpat1 (>= 2.0.1), libgbm1 (>= 17.1.0~rc2), libgcc1 (>= 
1:3.0), libglib2.0-0 (>= 2.39.4), libgtk-3-0 (>= 3.9.10), libnspr4 (>= 
2:4.9-2~), libnss3 (>= 2:3.22), libpango-1.0-0 (>= 1.14.0), libsecret-1-0 (>= 
0.18), libx11-6 (>= 2:1.4.99.1), libxcb1 (>= 1.9.2), libxcomposite1 (>= 
1:0.3-1), libxdamage1 (>= 1:1.1), libxext6, libxfixes3, libxkbcommon0 (>= 
0.5.0), libxrandr2, gnome-keyring, apt-transport-https, libfontconfig1 (>= 
2.11.0), libdbus-1-3 (>= 1.6.18), libstdc++6 (>= 4.8.1), libatomic1
Section: non-free/net
Priority: extra
Homepage: https://www.skype.com
Description: Skype keeps the world talking, for free.
 Skype keeps you together. Call, message and share with others.
  * It's free to download and join.
  * Call, instant message and send photos and documents to anyone else on Skype.
  * Easily text message anywhere in the world.
  * Get your friends together on a group call.
 And that's just the start...

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Bret Busby]

On 31/5/24 08:04, David Wright wrote:

On Fri 31 May 2024 at 07:57:22 (+0800), Bret Busby wrote:

On 31/5/24 07:49, Keith Bainbridge wrote:

wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb



Trying to access that URL with SeaMonkey, to view the directory
listing (to find version numbers), returned the following;

"
An error occurred while processing your request.

Reference #97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb

https://errors.edgesuite.net/97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb
"


It took a few seconds while it thought about it (I thought it might
time out), but it worked here (KS):

   $ wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
   --2024-05-30 18:59:55--  https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
   Resolving repo.skype.com (repo.skype.com)... 23.32.128.139, 
2001:578:2c:fe8b::1263, 2001:578:2c:fe99::1263
   Connecting to repo.skype.com (repo.skype.com)|23.32.128.139|:443... 
connected.
   HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
   Length: 122062452 (116M) [application/x-debian-package]
   Saving to: ‘skypeforlinux-64.deb’
   
   skypeforlinux-64.deb100%[=>] 116.41M  9.19MB/sin 12s
   
   2024-05-30 19:00:27 (9.34 MB/s) - ‘skypeforlinux-64.deb’ saved [122062452/122062452]
   
   $


Cheers,
David.

Hello.

If you install it, please tell me what is the version number.

Thank you in anticipation.


Bret Busby
Armadale
Western Australia
(UTC+0800)
.

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Bret Busby]

On 31/5/24 07:33, Dan Ritter wrote:





Does it work through a browser?

Zoom works through a browser. Google Meet works through a
browser. MS Teams works through a browser. And Jitsi works
through a browser.

-dsr-


Using each of those, apparently, comes with its own varying degree of risk.

Zoom and google might be okay, if you want your calls content 
intercepted and sold, and, used for impersonation, etc.


jitsi has been regarded as  the relatively safest.

The problems of zoom, etc ("we are recording you through your bedroom 
window, so we can use whatever amuses us"), has previously been 
discussed on this list, and, at The Register, with the Free Software 
Foundation telling its people to not uses zoom, and, recommending and 
adopting jitsi, for such communications.


Search list archive for zoom...

One great disadvantage, as far as I am aware, with skype, is that it has 
been available only for limited platforms; I have siblings who use Mac 
systems, for which, skype does not work. They use zoom for video calls, 
as it is cross-platform. They do not have the ICT awareness, to be aware 
of problems with zoom, in terms of privacy and security breaches by the 
provider.


A problem is that some people and institutions, are fixed in their ways, 
and mandate skype or zoom, or some other similarly disreputable software.



Bret Busby
Armadale
Western Australia
(UTC+0800)
.

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[David Wright]

On Fri 31 May 2024 at 07:57:22 (+0800), Bret Busby wrote:
> On 31/5/24 07:49, Keith Bainbridge wrote:
> > wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
> > 
> 
> Trying to access that URL with SeaMonkey, to view the directory
> listing (to find version numbers), returned the following;
> 
> "
> An error occurred while processing your request.
> 
> Reference #97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb
> 
> https://errors.edgesuite.net/97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb
> "

It took a few seconds while it thought about it (I thought it might
time out), but it worked here (KS):

  $ wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
  --2024-05-30 18:59:55--  https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb
  Resolving repo.skype.com (repo.skype.com)... 23.32.128.139, 
2001:578:2c:fe8b::1263, 2001:578:2c:fe99::1263
  Connecting to repo.skype.com (repo.skype.com)|23.32.128.139|:443... connected.
  HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
  Length: 122062452 (116M) [application/x-debian-package]
  Saving to: ‘skypeforlinux-64.deb’
  
  skypeforlinux-64.deb100%[=>] 
116.41M  9.19MB/sin 12s 
  
  2024-05-30 19:00:27 (9.34 MB/s) - ‘skypeforlinux-64.deb’ saved 
[122062452/122062452]
  
  $ 

Cheers,
David.

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[fjd]

On Fri, 31 May 2024, Bret Busby wrote:


What version of skype do you have installed?

I have skypeforlinux 8.109.0.209 installed on a Linux Mint system.

But, I have not used skype, now, for about 11 years.

Regarding snap, with your reference to Ubuntu Linux, the imposition of snap 
was one of the reasons to leave Ubuntu Linux.


I haven't (yet) experienced the nastiness. Want to note there is still 
a web version.


fjd


--
Davis

Verbum sat sapienti.

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Xiyue Deng]

Hi Juan,

"Juan R.D. Silva"  writes:

> Hi folks,
>
> I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago
> it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into
> it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and
> basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.
>
> Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my
> system. Unfortunately, I still need Skype and I do not see any
> alternative but to concede to MS (and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.
>
> Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that
> thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?
>
> Thanks
>

According to Snap docs[1], Snap has been available on Debian since
Stretch (9).  It looks like Skype page on snapcraft has instructions on
how to install it on Debian[2].

Skype also seems to be available on Flatpak[3], which has the same
version as on Snap (8.119.0.201), so you can also install it there if
you prefer Flatpak over Snap.

I haven't installed it so I cannot tell how well it works.  But I think
you can report to Microsoft should there be any issues.

[1] https://snapcraft.io/docs/installing-snap-on-debian
[2] https://snapcraft.io/install/skype/debian
[3] https://flathub.org/apps/com.skype.Client

-- 
Xiyue Deng

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Bret Busby]

On 31/5/24 07:49, Keith Bainbridge wrote:










Good morning Juan

Three sites suggest:

wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb



Trying to access that URL with SeaMonkey, to view the directory listing 
(to find version numbers), returned the following;


"
An error occurred while processing your request.

Reference #97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb

https://errors.edgesuite.net/97.6edf56b8.1717113285.e8ac5eb
"


--

Bret Busby
Armadale
Western Australia
(UTC+0800)
.

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Bret Busby]

On 31/5/24 06:58, Juan R.D. Silva wrote:

Hi folks,

I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago 
it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into 
it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and 
basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.


Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system. Unfortunately, 
I still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede to MS 
(and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.


Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that 
thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?


Thanks


What version of skype do you have installed?

I have skypeforlinux 8.109.0.209 installed on a Linux Mint system.

But, I have not used skype, now, for about 11 years.

Regarding snap, with your reference to Ubuntu Linux, the imposition of 
snap was one of the reasons to leave Ubuntu Linux. snap is bloat, and 
leads to nastiness, like automatic updating of a system, so that, for 
example, if you would be in the middle of an important skype call, or, 
in the middle of another important task, expect to have it all shutdown 
- Ubuntu has gone the MS way (with its snap cr*p), and, starts doing a 
system update and reboot; so, if you really want any control that you 
have over your system, and, confidence in using your system, taken away 
from you then, infect it with snap.



Bret Busby
Armadale
Western Australia
(UTC+0800)
.

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Dan Ritter]

Juan R.D. Silva wrote: 
> I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago it
> refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into it, I
> found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and basically
> forces everyone to use Snap package instead.

I'm pretty sure that if MS removed the package, it was not a
Debian official repo.

> Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system. Unfortunately, I
> still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede to MS (and
> Ubuntu?) brute coercion.
> 
> Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that
> thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?

Does it work through a browser?

Zoom works through a browser. Google Meet works through a
browser. MS Teams works through a browser. And Jitsi works
through a browser.

-dsr-

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Keith Bainbridge]

On 31/05/2024 9:29 am, Juan R.D. Silva wrote:

Hey Timothy, have you really read my post?

1. I wrote it clearly "I still need Skype". (And yes, I have my reasons 
for it, even if it surprises you.)
2. And how have you arrived to "Ubuntu" subject? I'm Debian user. Again 
read to post you replied to.
3. I really don't care what you personally use and if you are happy with 
it or not. I need a Skype user suggestion about a particular situation. 
You do not use Skype and have no clue to be in help. Then just skip off.


Boy, these thread hijacking boys are annoying.

Thanks


On 2024-05-30 7:06 p.m., Timothy M Butterworth wrote:



On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 6:59 PM Juan R.D. Silva 
mailto:juan.r.d.si...@gmail.com>> wrote:


    Hi folks,

    I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days 
ago

    it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into
    it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and
    basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.

    Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system.
    Unfortunately,
    I still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede
    to MS
    (and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.


To hell with Ubuntu, I use Google Voice, Chat and Meet. All three are 
free and work great just using the browser.


    Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with 
that

    thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?

    Thanks



--
⢀⣴⠾⠻⢶⣦⠀
⣾⠁⢠⠒⠀⣿⡁ Debian - The universal operating system
⢿⡄⠘⠷⠚⠋⠀ https://www.debian.org/ 
⠈⠳⣄⠀⠀





Good morning Juan

Three sites suggest:

wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb

Some of them are older, but 1 refers to bookworm.

So maybe all isn't lost


All the best


Keith Bainbridge

keithr...@gmail.com

+61 (0)447 667 468

UTC +10:00

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[George at Clug]

Juan,


Apologies I do not have an answer for you.


It would seem you love Snaps about as much as I do. I watch videos on
YouTube of people complaining about APT, or Synaptic, but I disagree
with them, I really like those programs and the Debian packaging
system. They are very reliable, just like Debian.



I too have a Skype account, but my friends have moved to other
platforms, so I only log in once or twice a year to see if anyone
messaged me. I do this via a Windows Virtual Machine using KVM. I only
use this solution for chat, not conferencing. And now with Windows 10
coming to and end, I guess my use of Skype will end too. My hardware
will not run Windows 11.



I am guessing you have tried 'Skype for Web' ?  How did you find it?
If it does not suite your purposes, I would like to know why, as
'Skype for Web' might be a solution for myself if it works enough.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/skype-for-web-preview-your-most-asked-questions-9c4836e4-5cdb-4261-ae46-d919b974af8a
Skype for Web (Preview) - your most asked questions

I want to try the Skype for Web (Preview) experience. How do I do
that?
Please go to https://preview.web.skype.com and sign into Skype. 



https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=snap
https://snapcraft.io/docs/installing-snap-on-debian


George.








On Friday, 31-05-2024 at 08:58 Juan R.D. Silva wrote:


Hi folks,

I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days
ago 
it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into 
it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and 
basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.

Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system.
Unfortunately, 
I still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede to
MS 
(and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.

Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that

thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?

Thanks

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Juan R.D. Silva]

Hey Timothy, have you really read my post?

1. I wrote it clearly "I still need Skype". (And yes, I have my reasons 
for it, even if it surprises you.)
2. And how have you arrived to "Ubuntu" subject? I'm Debian user. Again 
read to post you replied to.
3. I really don't care what you personally use and if you are happy with 
it or not. I need a Skype user suggestion about a particular situation. 
You do not use Skype and have no clue to be in help. Then just skip off.


Boy, these thread hijacking boys are annoying.

Thanks


On 2024-05-30 7:06 p.m., Timothy M Butterworth wrote:



On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 6:59 PM Juan R.D. Silva 
mailto:juan.r.d.si...@gmail.com>> wrote:


Hi folks,

I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago
it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into
it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and
basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.

Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system.
Unfortunately,
I still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede
to MS
(and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.


To hell with Ubuntu, I use Google Voice, Chat and Meet. All three are 
free and work great just using the browser.


Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that
thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?

Thanks



--
⢀⣴⠾⠻⢶⣦⠀
⣾⠁⢠⠒⠀⣿⡁ Debian - The universal operating system
⢿⡄⠘⠷⠚⠋⠀ https://www.debian.org/ 
⠈⠳⣄⠀⠀

Re: Anybody Skype users here?

[Timothy M Butterworth]

On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 6:59 PM Juan R.D. Silva 
wrote:

> Hi folks,
>
> I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago
> it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into
> it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and
> basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.
>
> Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system. Unfortunately,
> I still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede to MS
> (and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.
>

To hell with Ubuntu, I use Google Voice, Chat and Meet. All three are free
and work great just using the browser.


> Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that
> thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?
>
> Thanks
>
>

-- 
⢀⣴⠾⠻⢶⣦⠀
⣾⠁⢠⠒⠀⣿⡁ Debian - The universal operating system
⢿⡄⠘⠷⠚⠋⠀ https://www.debian.org/
⠈⠳⣄⠀⠀

Anybody Skype users here?

[Juan R.D. Silva]

Hi folks,

I use Skype installed from Debian official repo.  A couple of days ago 
it refused to update reporting "server timed out". After looking into 
it, I found that MS removed Skype.deb package from their server and 
basically forces everyone to use Snap package instead.


Skype is the only app I would need Snap for on my system. Unfortunately, 
I still need Skype and I do not see any alternative but to concede to MS 
(and Ubuntu?) brute coercion.


Any body installed Snap on their Debian system? Any problems with that 
thing? Any suggestions to use Skype otherwise?


Thanks