Hello,

I used Skype 1.2.0.18 and it worked fine. Today I downloaded the 1.3 version, but when I start it it says:


I have alsa installed and libasound.so.2 is in my /usr/lib directory. Is the problem in the beta or is it in my PC ?
I am using Gentoo with amd64.

thanks for the new release. i have a problem, however.

I had used skype_dsp_hijacker before so I could use speaker output and usb mic input. I now have alsa selected, but how do i tell skype to use the usb mic?

[quote=tschak909]P.S. if you guys want a _USABLE_ version of skype, do the following:

(1) install the latest version of Crossover Office
(2) install the Windows Version of Skype
(3) use it, it works!

-Thom[/quote]

How good does it work with Crossover Office? Can I for example also use a webcam? I use a Logitech Quickcam, works generally fine under my Linux (Kubuntu 6.06) and with the Linux version of Wengo.

[quote=berkus]
I've really had enough of this stupid guerilla screaming. Go

do

something useful you shmuck.[/quote]

I suppose tschak909 asked for that, but since you brought it up, I have a serious question:

Given that a lot of Skype for Linux users are not programmers, what else useful can we do to aid Skype's Linux development? For example, would using Skype as our primary phone service, thus paying Skype for all the PSTN calls we make, be of help? Would it be better if we encouraged others to use Skype, to boost revenues that way so they could hire more developers? Maybe we should leave Skype running all the time so that the company can (I presume) see that the Linux client is actually being used? And submit detailed bug reports, as well as trying to fix it ourselves when things go wrong?

I have done all these things for some time, although I stopped spending so much money after about a year. I hoped that my contribution would help, as I found it refreshing that a company actually took Linux seriously. But instead of a telephonic utopia, we've arrived at a point where the community are losing patience, the first update in 9 months is heralded as a miracle despite having failed to fix several known bugs, and the Skype staff are so busy trying to sort things out that they haven't even got time to tell us what's gone wrong. I appreciate that Rome wasn't built in a day, but by the same token, it wasn't built in secret. Even if you can't keep your customers informed of every little development, how about telling us what we can do to help?

I would like to point out, that I DO use Skype as my primary PSTN provider right now, because that is all I have.

[quote=dseifert][quote=berkus][quote]
I have tried the gentoo ebuild and the static binary from the Skype downloads and both have the same problem.
[/quote]

Is your user in audio group? What are file permissions on /dev/snd/* ?[/quote]

I am in the audio group and /dev/snd/dsp was set to crw-rw---- (root:audio). Doing "chmod 777 /dev/snd/*" did not change anything. I had an /etc/asound.state file, moving this away did not change anything either.

Daniel[/quote]

Same here, user is in the audio group and everything in /dev/snd/* is crw-rw---- (root:audio) also.

[quote=berkus][quote]
I have tried the gentoo ebuild and the static binary from the Skype downloads and both have the same problem.
[/quote]

Is your user in audio group? What are file permissions on /dev/snd/* ?[/quote]

I am not the original poster but since we apparently having the same problem, I checked my user account settings too:

$ groups
ivan rpm proc webmaster cdwriter audio radio

$ ls -l /dev/snd
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 0 2006-07-03 21:14 controlC0
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 32 2006-07-03 21:14 controlC1
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 64 2006-07-03 21:14 controlC2
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 8 2006-07-03 21:14 midiC0D0
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 24 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC0D0c
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 16 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC0D0p
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 17 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC0D1p
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 18 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC0D2p
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 19 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC0D3p
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 56 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC1D0c
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 48 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC1D0p
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 88 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC2D0c
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 89 2006-07-03 21:14 pcmC2D1c
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 1 2006-07-03 21:14 seq
crw-rw---- 1 ivan audio 116, 33 2006-07-03 21:14 timer

HTH

I tried Skype as installed on Mepis 3.4 (v1.2), and found it to have awesome call quality. The downside was that if I hung up on a call first, I would have to restart Skype in order to get the sound card working again. Also, if the screensaver kicked in while I was on a call, it would corrupt my connection until I wiggled the mouse.

That said, it was worth the cost of buying a couple of Skype-in numbers just for the line quality alone. My brother uses Win XP and Skype, and he seems to have far more features available than I have on Linux. That prompted me to update to the 1.3 beta version of Skype for Linux. It was pretty much a disaster here. Moving to Alsa did fix the problem of having to restart Skype if I terminated a call, but the audio was distorted and choppy. It was unuseable to say the least. I tried some of the tweaks offered here, but the result was the same.

I have reinstalled Skype 1.2 on my daily use PC, and installed the beta on a test box. Even though I have to restart Skype several times a day on my daily use PC, the call quality is back to awesome. I still have not sorted out the audio problems with the beta version, but I'm giving it my best.

I hate using non native apps in my Linux world, but it seems that Skype just isn't willing to properly fund Linux development at this time. My question is this... One member mentioned that Skype works fine with Crossover Office. Does it also work with WINE? Crossover is a nice product, but I don't want to pay the full fare just to use one Win app.

I do have a purchased set of Xandros 3 Deluxe CD's that includes Crossover Office circa 2005, and I can set up a dedicated VOIP PC with it if that is the only solution, but does the version of Crossover Office shipped with Xandros 3 work with Skype for Win?

The bottom line is that I appreciate the effort made by Skype to reach all platforms, but it seems that the Linux department is seriously underfunded at present.

I develop networks and do Linux/Unix administration, but aside from some "hello world" stuff from the early eighties, I am not a programmer. If I were, I would offer my full attention toward making Skype current on Linux.

Meanwhile, consider this post as a "state of Skype on Linux" review, rather than a complaint. Skype is the best VOIP service on the planet at this time, and I'm happy to have v1.2 available for Linux, despite it's limitations. I just get a little bit bent when I see a serious lag between a Win version, and a Linux version of a worthwhile app.

Volk

I am having to run Skype 1.3 Beta as root, which is OK for now, but I am finding 1 serious bug/problem. I have increasing audio delay.

Initially there is little or no delay, but the delay increases and after 10 mintues it is up to 7 or 8 seconds, at which point I have to cancel the call and start again.

I didn't have this problem with 1.2.0.21.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Can anyone suggest a solution?

[quote=deyan]

I have alsa installed and libasound.so.2 is in my /usr/lib directory. Is the problem in the beta or is it in my PC ?
I am using Gentoo with amd64.[/quote]

Run `ldd ./skype` and see if it finds this library (it should print libasound.so.2 => /usr/lib/libasound.so.2 along other lines), if not this is probably ld problem (try to run ldconfig?).

[quote=Pastychomper]Given that a lot of Skype for Linux users are not programmers, what else useful can we do to aid Skype's Linux development?[/quote]

Personally for me, being a paying customer is not a requirement (but it is for management of course, this is where they make my salary from, after all).

But detailed bug reports, running client all the time and giving educated guesses on what might have gone wrong (or right) - are absolutely great and keep me running. Keep it up like this guys and we'll have it sorted out in a best manner.

[quote=Pastychomper]Even if you can't keep your customers informed of every little development, how about telling us what we can do to help?[/quote]

I have a blog at http://nodalpoint.madfire.net/
I post about development there, not too often, when I have time to make a big serious post instead of small 1 line note. But just subscribe there via RSS, FeedBurner or anything else and stay informed.

Looks great - thanks berkus!

[quote=bamyasi]My system is ALTLinux Sisyphus (unstable branch), see www.altlinux.com. I understand this one is not on the top 10 list but as I told you before all previous versions of Skype used to work without a hitch (and 1.2.0.18 still does). I tried waiting for 5 minutes for Skype 1.3 to connect but nothing happens, it just sits here saying "Connecting...".[/quote]

Are you trying to call someone or just echo123?
(echo123 has horrible lags and can sometimes be Connecting.. for a few minutes in a row - just try a real person)

Hello again. After using the new skype for a few days I found out it buggs, while working for a longer time. I usually listen to music with amarok through xine engine (alsa). When skype is working in the background and someone calls me, skype acts, like if it does not get enough cpu time (i only hear short parts of the ringing sound, the "tray notofication" popup comes out very slowly and in small steps, then when after almost a minute, the conversation has started, it's like 1 second I hear, 1 second there is no sound). and everything is is slow and stepwise. (That's the case only with skype. all other programmes are working normally; no application steels 100% cpu or somehing! not even skype).Even chat!. When I restart skype, everything is back to normal.
But even then, when I talk to somebody large parts (like 2-3 words) is somehow being skipped, although internet connection etc. is OK. The problem also persist with outgoing calls.

[quote=tdik]I found out it buggs, while working for a longer time.[/quote]

Yep, we noticed a similar behaviour here. Figuring out what gives.

I don't know if this helps, but when I redial few times it's back to normal again (normal means when I speak words are missing...)

I've also noticed, that skype's doing IO on the harddisk and during this operation it stops sending my voice....

There are few ALSA related issues that needs to be addressed:
- Not fully functional ALSA configuration (device selection does not work, no virtual device selection)
- No support for selecting device for ringing

I hope these will be fixed soon, but until it is not I propose some workarounds.

On my web page I have described way to use another device for speakers, another for microphone using Skype 1.3.0.30.

Also I have updated skype_dsp_hijacker (v0.8) so it can catch when Skype opens default ALSA device, and map it to another ALSA device (eg. one named skype). Everything else can be done by usual ALSA configuration.

http://juljas.net/linux/skype/
http://juljas.net/linux/skype/alsa-configuration.html

Comments welcomed,
Jan Slupski

[quote=berkus][quote=bamyasi]My system is ALTLinux Sisyphus (unstable branch), see www.altlinux.com. I understand this one is not on the top 10 list but as I told you before all previous versions of Skype used to work without a hitch (and 1.2.0.18 still does). I tried waiting for 5 minutes for Skype 1.3 to connect but nothing happens, it just sits here saying "Connecting...".[/quote]

Are you trying to call someone or just echo123?
(echo123 has horrible lags and can sometimes be Connecting.. for a few minutes in a row - just try a real person)[/quote]

berkus, I understand you are a bit carried away with all the noise generated by your new release, but I did post all the details already several times in this thread (and in a couple others). No, it does not matter what number/contact I am trying to call and it WORKS JUST FINE UNDER ROOT ACCOUNT, including echo123, calling to landline phones, etc. In fact, the sound quality (when using ALSA) has improved noticably compared to skype 1.2.0.18. But skype beta apparently has problems with access to sound devices under several Linux disributions. I would be glad to help with debugging if you tell me how. Also, I tried posting to your blog but did not like the idea of using my skype login/password on an unsecure site. Having some kind of public bug tracking system would be of great help.

Thanks for great work with the new beta!

These are excellent looking manuals, Jan.
I'll play with configuring alsa using your guides and tell you if I find any inconsistencies.

Yes, we need to figure this out. Contact me on skype pls.



You do not have to use skype name and password to post on my blog. If you mean the mirror on skype.net - this is not where i post, this is merely a replica. On http://nodalpoint.madfire.net/ there is absolutely no requirement to use any passwords to post comments.

[quote=m_a_cremonini][quote=Robert Lewis]In further testing of the new Linux beta Skype I am finding that about once a day that Skype sound quality starts getting clipped. Just like internet congestion. I have a very fast connection though and never experienced this previously. I have a sound-blaster-live sound card and am using SUSE 10.1. I simply close down Skype and restart it and all is well calling the same person. I have 1-gig of ram. 2.4GHZ Pentium IV.
[/quote]

The very same happens to me, especially after resuming from stand by (lid closed) with a thinkpad A31 (vanilla suse 10.1). I can confirm that shutting down and restarting skype solves the problem...for a while.
thanks,
Mauro[/quote]

For me it would helpful if the Skype development people could acknowledge that this is something they are aware and will eventually work on. I do have to restart Skype daily because of the choppy sound. Is there anything someone would like me to try?

[quote=Robert Lewis]For me it would helpful if the Skype development people could acknowledge that this is something they are aware and will eventually work on. I do have to restart Skype daily because of the choppy sound. Is there anything someone would like me to try?[/quote]

Yes we are aware of this.

Best way to help is to enable debug log and send me log and trace files once you experience problems (dig forum for info on how to turn debugging on).

[quote=berkus]
Best way to help is to enable debug log and send me log and trace files once you experience problems (dig forum for info on how to turn debugging on).[/quote]

I believe it would be easier for everyone if you could just tell us how to turn the debug log on, instead of a dozen+ people searching the forum. At least I didn't find this info when looking just now ;-(

Daniel

[quote=dseifert]I believe it would be easier for everyone if you could just tell us how to turn the debug log on, instead of a dozen+ people searching the forum. At least I didn't find this info when looking just now ;-([/quote]

It would be. But I won't. Call me harsh.

[quote=berkus][quote=dseifert]I believe it would be easier for everyone if you could just tell us how to turn the debug log on, instead of a dozen+ people searching the forum. At least I didn't find this info when looking just now ;-([/quote]

It would be. But I won't. Call me harsh.[/quote]

Well, I would find other words ... but basically I interprete this as Skype not being interested in my help :?

Oh well, I've switched to SIP anyway for VOIP (following the rest of the company). Skype 1.2 is good enough for remaining messaging and I just need to use up my SkypeOut balance (or maybe I can get it back, hmm). It's your loss, not mine.

Daniel

I tried to search the forums for a switch to enable debug output. Not that I need it, just out of interest. I couldn't find it either. Well, I did not read all threads that contain the word "debug" or search patters like "debug output" and such, though.

See https://developer.skype.com/Support/LogFile for instructions

[quote=ppmotskula]See https://developer.skype.com/Support/LogFile for instructions[/quote]

Thank you.

Daniel

Same thing here, again on gentoo, amd64; works fine under root account, freezes under user account.
I suspect the problem may be in a warning that I got when emerging skype, i.e. some issues with execution stacks, what do you guys think about it?

[quote]QA Notice: the following files contain executable stacks
Files with executable stacks will not work properly (or at all!)
on some architectures/operating systems. A bug should be filed
at http://bugs.gentoo.org/ to make sure the file is fixed.
For more information, see http://hardened.gentoo.org/gnu-stack.xml
Please include this file in your report:
/var/tmp/portage/skype-1.3.0.30-r1/temp/scanelf-execstack.log
"--- --- RWX opt/skype/skype"
[/quote]

I don't like running things as root, so i'm going back to 1.2.whatever.
I'll post this as a bug on gentoo, too, but let me know if this makes sense to you

Hello, berkus. I have one specific question - today when I visited your blog I saw a Skype status button and i'm sure that's not without any reason. May I 'guess' that we'll see a working version of this feature in the final release, or at least take it as a sign it is currently being developed? i.e. the only think I really miss from the windoze version...

Let me explain my thoughts:

1. It is _highly_ unlikely the Skype Linux dev to be running a Windows OS.
2. It makes no sense to put something somewhere that actually doesn't work.

Sounds logically, doesn't it?

Berkus , will the "ringing pc speaker" be REALLY fixed on final release ?
Nowadays just beep once and stop what makes it not usefull at all.

What about use alsa virtual devices ? Will it be possible ?

Thanks for the great job you are doing.

I think I do have the same problem.
When there is an incoming chat (I did not receive any calls yet after installing the Skype Beta 1.3) the whole system freezes for a minute or two and then it works again and after a few seconds the chat window opens. During the chat there is no more hang (only on new chats as far as I could notice).

I turned on the log mode as described in another post - maybe it helps (where shall I post or send the log because it seems to be packed or "crypted"?)

I'm running the Skype Beta on Ubuntu Dapper Drake, 32bit CPU

Regards,
Sascha

GREAT!!!!! it was a long wait but at the end you did a great job!!! :-)

I've just tested it on my FC5 and it seems that the "choppy sound" problem
disappeared!!! :lol:

[quote=marcusatwebify]I am having to run Skype 1.3 Beta as root, which is OK for now, but I am finding 1 serious bug/problem. I have increasing audio delay.

Initially there is little or no delay, but the delay increases and after 10 mintues it is up to 7 or 8 seconds, at which point I have to cancel the call and start again.[/quote]

Can you pls send me a log of this happening as per above mentioned instructions?

I am really satisfied with Skype for Linux and I never had any problems with sound when I was using my wired headphones.

But my bluetooth headsat had always choppy sound comparing to Gizmo or Ekiga which are functioning prefectly with this headset. With version 1.3, sound got even worse (ALSA and OSS) and after ~ 3 seconds I couldn't hear anything.

Any ideas, solutions except waiting for the new version?

Thanks.

M.

Hello,

I am on Ubuntu Dapper (no upgrade, installed from TLS release).

My problem with Skype1.3beta is that skype is having problems playing sound. Even when playing regular sounds, for example the "pings" for chat windows. They sound choppy and distorted. The problem persists when calling echo123. The "ping" when recording comes halway through the message (which keeps playing afterwards). I can hardly hear myself.
.
I tried with alsa, as well with ALSA as well as with OSS - Interestingly enough the same problem.

I had the .deb for 1.2 installed previously, but purged it, before installing 1.3beta (again from the .deb).

Sound otherwise works fine on the system. I can record and play with other software without problems.

Sound Hardware is HDA Intel (this is on an Acer Notebook).
[quote]0000:00:1b.0 0403: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04)[/quote]

Can anyone help me? Can I provide more information?


Regards

Mikey

hi i just tested the new beta version

The ALSA support works really better than the old OSS but still i can't have any
proper conversation....

people can hear me very but what i can here is really intermittent:
half a second of sound, half of silence

I suppose it's a problem of buffer but i don't know how to set it...

... if anyone can help... my distro is FC5

[quote=luca.tosatto]I suppose it's a problem of buffer but i don't know how to set it...[/quote]

Stay tuned folks, we're working on resolution of several sound quality related problems.

thanks to you... i was looking for the help in linux, now i found almost 70% answers to my questions there, hopefully i'll get rest while exploring the forum

Hi.
I'm using skype 1.3 on debian etch with ALSA (VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8233/A/8235/8237 AC97 Audio Controller (rev 50)).
The sound during calls is and I hear everything but nobody hears me.
The mic works (if I talk I can hear the output from the speakers) but not with skype.
Capture is enabled and so are line-in and microphone.
I also tried switching between mic-1 and mic-2 but still nothing.
Any Ideas?

thanks

Andrea

I'm using the beta on fc4 and so far it's been working pretty well, after I got the alsa configuration straightened out.

One thing I notice, though, is after it's been sitting idle for awhile and I try to make a call, my whole system will freeze up for about 10-20 seconds. Then it magically unfreezes and it places the call without any further problems. If I try to make another call right away, no problem. If I wait longer, I'll have the same thing happen again, though.

Hello!

Similar problem (complete lock-up for a while) as the previous poster, but when receiving calls, not when making them.

I'm using the Skype 1.3 Beta on Ubuntu 6.06 (Gnome desktop, 2.6.15-23 kernel), with some build-in Intel sound card and with an ordinary wired headset. Desktop notifications are enabled.

The effect does not happen with older versions of Skype. It was introduced with the new Beta.

Often, when I receive a call or an IM via Skype, this gets announced to me by the computer locking up completely. Nothing on the screen moves anymore, not even the mouse. There also doesn't seem to be any disk activity. After around 10 to 20 seconds, sometimes longer, everything unfreezes again. Sometimes I can then actually still accept the call, most of the time, though, people will have been sent to my voicemail already. In the case of an IM, the chat window will pop up then.

This does not happen all the time, but often. Just like the previous poster, I get the impression that it is more likely to happen, or the effect is worse, if I haven't used Skype in a while and was working with other applications. There is plenty of memory, so paging shouldn't be an issue, especially since the complete lock-up of the screen and lack of HD activity makes that unlikely anyway. It also happens independently from me using other applications that produce sound as well.

Since in effect that makes it impossible for me to accept most incoming calls, it is quite an issue...

Thank you!

Tom

Hi,

On the last note I had a problem receiving IM from the other side after leaving skype for a while.

Friend sent me IM which I received 35 minutes later. Perhaps this could be issue related not just to beta version as it happened to me before on Windows Skype (at times).


I do experience delay in calling with skype when leaving it unattended for longer, like computer goes to sleep mode so to speak (Ubuntu 6.06).

M

I tried a few more tests, too. The freeze time when I try to make a call does seem to increase the longer it's been since the last call. After 1 hour, it freezes for about 10 seconds.

I also tried starting Skype and leaving it for 1 hour without making any calls, and then made my first call after 1 hour. There was no freeze then. Maybe I'll just logout and close down / restart Skype after every call?

Do you have a rough idea of when you hope to have the final release released?

That's a totally silly question, because even if I know - you won't. So just try not to ask it please, the release will happen once the release is ready for the release.

(and if I were in BOFH mode then the answer would be)

Yes.

You are wrong. The question was ok. Answer is totally silly and shows lack of respect for your users.

BTW, when you plan next beta version?

Thanks for all of your work on this linux client, berkus. It's exciting to see so much progress!!

[quote=berkus][quote=luca.tosatto]I suppose it's a problem of buffer but i don't know how to set it...[/quote]

Stay tuned folks, we're working on resolution of several sound quality related problems.[/quote]

Many thanks to the Skype engineers - the beta is working great !!!

I have found the problem above occurs on my laptop when I leave skype running for a long period of time (eg. leave myself logged in over night). I then get a break of about
50% (1/2 second ok, 1/2 sec blank). This seems to be in both directions (tx and rx).

The simple fix for me is to stop skype (completely including skype in the system tray) and restart, and then audio quality is fine again. Not a big issue for me.

Looking forward to the next beta of 1.3 - I will post back if this little issue is resolved.