Skype Beta: Phoning and Sharing Desktops
Skype has released a beta version of its chat and VoIP program for Linux under the code-name Talking Screens. Despite the minor version number change, the software has many new features.
The newest Skype for Linux 2.1 beta 2 includes screen sharing, support for UI styles, and IM quoting, as beta project manager Raul Liive reports in the Skype blog. Other features include localized time formats and spam abuse reporting. A few issues cropped up on 64-bit systems with older libraries, with available workarounds reported in the Skype Developer Zone.
First impressions: thanks to the new UI styles Skype now practically supports Qt decorations natively, although Oxygen styles can lead to graphics problems (broken symbols and reduced text box sizes), depending on the setup; however, QtCurve was error-free on a KDE4 desktop.
The IM quoting function is cute but a bit awkward – it requires marking the text and then having to select an item from the menu. However, the screen sharing function does work well and is useful especially for those needing Linux support from time to time. The screen-sharing function is only available during calls and shows up at the bottom of the call window. It works equally well with Linux, Mac, and Windows clients. The function appears only in the context menu of the call window.
As usual, Skype provides precompiled packages for Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu, and static binary downloads for all other distros. The actual beta2 version numbering is 2.1.0.81, with the release notes at Skype.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Releases RHEL 10 Early
Red Hat quietly rolled out the official release of RHEL 10.0 a bit early.
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.