Tiny Core Linux
Tiny Core Extensions => TCE Tips & Tricks => Topic started by: sci_fi on September 28, 2009, 03:26:41 PM
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Hope this is useful.
Basically, the skype 2.1 module from slax works. You can download it at:
http://www.slax.org/modules.php?search=skype&category=
1. Using the slax lzm2dir command create the files needed for execution.
(there may be another way to extract these files but this is how I do it).
2. Save these files hard drive or usb
3. Boot tiny core
4. Copy the files into the tiny core directory structure.
5. Run shell
6. type "skype" at the prompt.
This works for me and has the additional advantage that some of the later skype voice quality improvements are present. Voice quality was noticeably better than the skype 1.0.3.53 version that jls was kind enough to let me test.
7. You may wish to save the files via .filetool.list
My filetool.list section looks like:
***** SKYPE until proper module is built
****From SKYPE 2.71
/usr/bin/skype
/usr/share/applications/skype.desktop
/usr/share/icons/hicolor
/usr/share/skype
Please note, as this is not a proper skype module (hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will make one shortly), skype does not appear in wbar and must be run via the shell. Also makes for a large configuration file. But it works for now.
Best regards,
sci_fi
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Did not try yet, but interesting, thanks! If it works, to make a proper extension for TC is not an issue :) I'm ready for the challange
Great, 2.1 works here at first glance. Will play a bit with it and will make a .tcz for testing if not major issue found.
Tried 3.0 beta from SLAX but it quits after logging in with the weill known iconv bug.
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Did not try yet, but interesting, thanks! If it works, to make a proper extension for TC is not an issue :) I'm ready for the challange
more of a challenge than you might think....... :D
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jpeters: We edited/created our posts parallel... Made some tests with 2.1 and it looks promissing
Chat is OK, sound also...
Will make a .tcz to play with...
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Skype is not freely distributable, so a fetch/install script would be needed.
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jpeters: We edited/created our posts parallel... Made some tests with 2.1 and it looks promissing
Chat is OK, sound also...
Will make a .tcz to play with...
Looks like it needs full alsa. Unfortunately, alsa doesn't work on my dell anymore (think it worked with ver 1, but then again so did skype....).
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Skype is not freely distributable, so a fetch/install script would be needed.
Hm.... It was already available as a .tce and was removed due to inoperability ?
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Good Morning:
I needed alsa to get it to work on my PC. I assumed this was a PC specific issue (HP 8430) between OSS and my sound card. Perhaps not.
Looking forward to a tcz module for this version of skype. jls_legalize has done a module of an early version of skype. Not generally available, however.
He kindly provided me a copy to test. It works fine, but the sound quality is generally poor. I believe, this is due to the early version of skype.
In any case, I will be pleased to test a new module prior to release.
Best regards,
sci_fi
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Skype is not freely distributable, so a fetch/install script would be needed.
Problem is, that only the latest version is available for download, you can't fetch older versions, at least not from Skype WEB.
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He kindly provided me a copy to test. It works fine, but the sound quality is generally poor. I believe, this is due to the early version of skype.
Just a side question to all: Realistically how much we are losing in terms of sound quality by using Linux version of Skype comparing to Windows version? Is this because the Skype version is behind comparing to Windows version or that Linux sound drivers are not quality tuned?
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If you want to test Skype 2.1.0.47 drop me a PM to get the download link of skype.tcz
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Adding v4l-dvb-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tczm my WEB camera works fine with Skype on my Acer Aspire 5720Z notebook.
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According to the licence, this is not allowed to redestribute it:
License and Restrictions
License. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Skype hereby grants you a limited, personal, non-commercial, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-assignable, free of charge license to download, install and use the Skype Software on your computer, phone or PDA for the sole purpose of personally using the internet communication applications provided by Skype and any other applications that may be explicitly provided by Skype. For the avoidance of doubt, you are allowed to use Skype software at work, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Skype software is the software distributed by Skype for internet communication applications, including without limitation the Skype API, UI and documentation (online or offline), as well as any future programming fixes, updates and upgrades thereof.
It allows only to download your personal copy using communications applications provided by Skype.
Anyhow, I see many LINUX distributions preinstalled with Skype, Skype packages in different format, etc. So it doesn't look very strict in practice. Iknow, I know.... This is just my personal note and fully understand that it is not for the official TC repository unfortunately :'(
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I understand the frustration that comes with the practices of proprietary software makers. As finicky as Skype seems to work with Linux across different kernels, libc, alsa, etc it would be better if they allowed access to older versions even if they don't allow redistribution. But upon reading up on it, their logic seems to be that skype works best when both parties using it are using the same version, the current version in particular. So they kind of do have a point, and their practice would most likely reduce the number of support cases they are faced with.
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my webcam crashes skype
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my webcam crashes skype
Maybe it is not supported by the Kernel.
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But upon reading up on it, their logic seems to be that skype works best when both parties using it are using the same version, the current version in particular.
The same version on both ends will hardly ever happen though, especially if we are using Linux based Skype on this end. Do they mean perhaps matching Windows version 4 to Linux version 2?
It is diappointing they do not seem to keep Linux version up to date... There are significant quality enhancements in version 3 and version 4. Does this mean Linux Skype quality is not up to par comparing with current Windows version or that Linux version 2 is comparable? I have not seen any comparison testing done... and would like to migrate my Skype machine to TC based one eventually...
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Finally got alsa working, so now the skype package works. This is a big improvement over using wine...the sound doesn't keep breaking up, and integration with the keyboard is way better. Many thanks to sci-fi for finding this working version....I've been waiting for this. offtopic: booting up slax really makes you appreciate tc, doesn't it? :)
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I just noted that the Skype 2.1 Beta version for linux is available on the official skype site. Someone at Slax converted it very promptly.
Also, for anyone interested. Here is a site with earlier releases of Skype.
http://www.oldapps.com/skype.php
Probably less necessary now, but ...
I agree with jpeters regarding slax. I am a long time, loyal slax fan. Slax is elegant and robust. However, TC is just that, tiny. Small is beautiful. TC also boots VERY fast. Loads of modules available. I now use TC most of the time and like it a lot.
Nice to have a newer version of skype working. That really made TC my go to distro. Thanks again to bmarkus for making the module!!!!!!
Best,
sci_fi
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I just noted that the Skype 2.1 Beta version for linux is available on the official skype site. Someone at Slax converted it very promptly.
Great....that means it's a script can be made available for the repository.
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I just noted that the Skype 2.1 Beta version for linux is available on the official skype site. Someone at Slax converted it very promptly.
Great....that means it's a script can be made available for the repository.
This is true, the version number is the same. But check first the downloaded version :) The good point is that there are no any licence agreement acceptance sheet, checkbox, etc., just a pure download link.
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I just noted that the Skype 2.1 Beta version for linux is available on the official skype site. Someone at Slax converted it very promptly.
Great....that means it's a script can be made available for the repository.
This is true, the version number is the same. But check first the downloaded version :) The good point is that there are no any licence agreement acceptance sheet, checkbox, etc., just a pure download link.
Yes....it's good to go.....same as the slax version. Install script is in programming.
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Yes....it's good to go.....same as the slax version. Install script is in programming.
Great job !
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Yes....it's good to go.....same as the slax version. Install script is in programming.
Great job !
Simple adaptation of one of Jason's scripts. :)
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my webcam crashes skype
Maybe it is not supported by the Kernel.
my webcam (stv680) works fine in firefox and opera
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Just a quick thank you for working on this. Skype 2.1 is now working beautifully on my old laptop. I ended up posting to http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php?topic=2083.msg16436#msg16436 with some info on how I dealt with Microphone problems (with ALSA).
Chris
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I gave skype a go with alsa and a bluetooth headset - I could logon, send a text and initiate a call, which started to ring at the other end and then skype crashed and, for the first time ever in tinycore, locked up my machine.
Although I heard various beeps through the bt headset, I did not hear the other phone ring, so it's not clear for me if this was working or not.
Note that the way it works with skype here is:
1. skype release a new version and it works.
2. the telco manages to block the new version of skype
3. go back to 1.
..so given I could send a text, it would seem to suggest that the linux version of skype is close to the windows version, which works at the moment.
I tried again after reboot, skype worked for a few seconds and then crashed and then refused to start again with: $ /usr/local/skype/skype
QIconvCodec::convertFromUnicode: using ASCII for conversion, iconv_open failed
QIconvCodec::convertToUnicode: using ASCII for conversion, iconv_open failed
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":0.0".
Killed
I tried a couple of times more, but it started killing beaver, wbar, opera, etc so I figure it was time to stop :)
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What is the version number of your Skype you have tried?
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linux 2.1.0.47 - windows 4.1.0.136
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I gave skype a go with alsa and a bluetooth headset - I could logon, send a text and initiate a call, which started to ring at the other end and then skype crashed and, for the first time ever in tinycore, locked up my machine.
Although I heard various beeps through the bt headset, I did not hear the other phone ring, so it's not clear for me if this was working or not.
Note that the way it works with skype here is:
1. skype release a new version and it works.
2. the telco manages to block the new version of skype
3. go back to 1.
..so given I could send a text, it would seem to suggest that the linux version of skype is close to the windows version, which works at the moment.
I tried again after reboot, skype worked for a few seconds and then crashed and then refused to start again with: $ /usr/local/skype/skype
QIconvCodec::convertFromUnicode: using ASCII for conversion, iconv_open failed
QIconvCodec::convertToUnicode: using ASCII for conversion, iconv_open failed
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":0.0".
Killed
I tried a couple of times more, but it started killing beaver, wbar, opera, etc so I figure it was time to stop :)
The error messages (I'm sure you never saw the Xlib one before :) ) don't seem to affect anything.
I haven't had any problems with the current version, so I suspect it's conflicting with a bluetooth device or something. Freezing isn't a unique experience for me, and will happen with soundcard conflicts (like attempting to load alsa with OSS present.
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Works here also without any issue.
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my webcam crashes skype
Maybe it is not supported by the Kernel.
my webcam works fine with mplayer + libv4l
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