How can I install Skype in Knoppix?

[lightleggy]

I just downloaded the package from the skype site, the debian one, but I cant install it, I tried double clicking, using apt-get and dpkg and I get no result.

apt-get doesn't "recognize" the package, it tells me it doesn't exist, what am I doing wrong?
Im typing

sudo apt-get install skype.deb (thats the package name)
it tells me there is no such package. the package is in the desktop, I also tried typing it without the extension (.deb) but if I do that it tells me its not an installation candidate.

I already checked the apt-get/dpkg thread and I couldn't find anything useful, perhaps some kind soul wants to help me?

[Werner P. Schulz]

Did you try
dpkg -i

[lightleggy]

Did you try
dpkg -i

yes, it told me that it couldn't find the package.

[Werner P. Schulz]

Append within the commandline the path to the package. First of all read the manpage to "dpkg"

[lightleggy]

Append within the commandline the path to the package. First of all read the manpage to "dpkg"

OK I indicated the path, this is what im doing.
first I log as root from the terminal

then I type dpkg -i /home/knoppix/desktop/skype.deb (I renamed the file from its original name to just skype so that I Wouldn't have to lose time typing the whole name again if I failed)
it tells me

dpkg: error processing /home/knoppix/desktop/skype (--install):
cannot access archive: No such file or directory
Errors were encountered while processing:
/home/knoppix/desktop/skype


I already tried typing skype.deb and skype, gives me the same error.

[lightleggy]

Im editing my post.

I already got past that small hoop, thing is I wasn't typing Desktop with the capital D.
after doing that, I got this prompt


Selecting previously deselected package skype.
(Reading database ... 73613 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking skype (from .../home/knoppix/Desktop/skype.deb) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of skype:
skype depends on libqt4-dbus (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqt4-dbus is not installed.
skype depends on libqt4-network (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqt4-network is not installed.
skype depends on libqtcore4 (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqtcore4 is not installed.
skype depends on libqtgui4 (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqtgui4 is not installed.
dpkg: error processing skype (--install):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
skype


what does it mean?

[Capricorny]

Im editing my post.

I already got past that small hoop, thing is I wasn't typing Desktop with the capital D.
after doing that, I got this prompt


Selecting previously deselected package skype.
(Reading database ... 73613 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking skype (from .../home/knoppix/Desktop/skype.deb) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of skype:
skype depends on libqt4-dbus (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqt4-dbus is not installed.
skype depends on libqt4-network (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqt4-network is not installed.
skype depends on libqtcore4 (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqtcore4 is not installed.
skype depends on libqtgui4 (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqtgui4 is not installed.
dpkg: error processing skype (--install):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
skype


what does it mean?
What would you think it means? It may be more useful for everyone, not the least yourself, if you try to do some research yourself, like reading manpages, googling up install histories etc.

I suggest you try a meditation on this mantra:

dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of skype:
skype depends on libqt4-dbus (>= 4.4.3); however:
Package libqt4-dbus is not installed.


Repeat as often as needed.

As a hint, you may here have an example of why we usually strongly recommend using package managers, like the GUI tool synaptic for administration of applications. If you could find Skype on some repository, register that with the package manager, and install it that way, you might save yourself some time and trouble. Which doesn't mean that the "direct" way of downloading .deb packages and running dpkg isn't OK - but you will then often have to do a few operations manually - like in this case.

Good luck! :)

[Denver Dave]

I just installed knoppix 7.0.2 DVD to a usb drive and I'm surprised that skype does not seem to be included with the internet programs. Am I missing something or what is the preferred method to run skype on knoppix? Thanks.

[Capricorny]

Skype is a rather proprietary thing, and there are free alternatives. From the Debian wiki page about Skype, see http://wiki.debian.org/skype:

Skype is a non-free (proprietary) software. It isn't supported by Debian. It's probably wiser to use a VoIP software, like ekiga (http://packages.debian.org/ekiga) , linphone (http://packages.debian.org/linphone) or jitsi (http://jitsi.org/) ! Then the wiki page goes on to explain how to install from Skype's repository. Add the correct deb reference to /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-freeThen proceed as with any other CLI package install:


sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install skype
I just tried it, got this result:

#>sudo apt-get install skype
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
skype
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 1019 not upgraded.
Need to get 20.2 MB of archives.
After this operation, 26.2 MB of additional disk space will be used.
WARNING: The following packages cannot be authenticated!
skype
Install these packages without verification [y/N]? y
Get:1 http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable/non-free skype i386 2.1.0.81-1 [20.2 MB]
Fetched 20.2 MB in 29s (694 kB/s)
Selecting previously unselected package skype.
(Reading database ... 364610 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking skype (from .../skype_2.1.0.81-1_i386.deb) ...
Processing triggers for gnome-menus ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ...
Setting up skype (2.1.0.81-1) ...
#>
I remember when doing something similar two years ago, that there were quite a few glitches when running Skype then. Haven't tried now. Beware that the 32-bits version should be used to minimize problems.
BTW, ekiga and linphone are present already, so Skype should not be desperately needed. Anyone having bad experiences with them?

[user89]

I tried the "static" version of Skype on Knoppix 7, you can download it from the official website nothing to install, it works directly

[Capricorny]

I tried the "static" version of Skype on Knoppix 7, you can download it from the official website nothing to install, it works directly
Installing static versions when they are available may often avoid lots of library version troubles etc, so for many, it may be an easy way to proceed. In my own use case, I'd rather prefer the .deb package, because of smaller footprint, simple deinstall, update handling etc. YMMV :)

[user89]

Important: if you use Skype 4, you should upgrade (fix)

[Denver Dave]

I too am trying to figure out how to install skype with knoppix and wondering why this isn't easier. I found the deb installation on the skype website and downloaded it, now I'm wondering what to do next. Also wondering what was meant in a previous post by "static" skype ? Oh I see it it static is on the list - not sure what it means, but downloaded the file, unzipped it and when I browse to the directory, does seem to run other than the mic which I'll have to look into.

Knoppix is my favorite linux version, however, I do wish that instead of coming with a "million" programs that I don't use, it was easier to install the basic popular programs that I do use like firefox, thunderbird and skype.

Thanks for the thread - would have been a hard go without it.

[Capricorny]

I too am trying to figure out how to install skype with knoppix and wondering why this isn't easier. I found the deb installation on the skype website and downloaded it, now I'm wondering what to do next. Also wondering what was meant in a previous post by "static" skype ? Oh I see it it static is on the list - not sure what it means, but downloaded the file, unzipped it and when I browse to the directory, does seem to run other than the mic which I'll have to look into.

Knoppix is my favorite linux version, however, I do wish that instead of coming with a "million" programs that I don't use, it was easier to install the basic popular programs that I do use like firefox, thunderbird and skype.

Thanks for the thread - would have been a hard go without it.

First, the Debian version of Firefox, Iceweasel, is usually pre-installed on Knoppix, and Icedove, Debian's Thunderbird is easily installed, for example using Synaptic.

Second, with a non-free program like Skype, you can't have it both ways, so as long as Knoppix stays close to "pure" Debian, you'll normally have to do some kind of work yourself to install it. If it had been uploaded to some standard non-free repository, you might have installed it with Synaptic, like you can with the non-free flashplayer plugin, or Oracle Java. But I think that is something you should contact Skype about.

I have given a working recipe to install Skype using command line above, but there is more than one way to do this, as has been noted in this thread. You should be able to add the Skype repository in Synaptic, and then install it like you install any other package.

[pastabake]

Hi

I just started using Knoppix and am loving it, its super slick and makes the most out of my nomraly super restricted work laptop :P

I am trying to get Skype working to, I update sources.list with the correct repo, however on installation Synaptic fails as it refuses to install a couple of dependent lib files:

skype:
Depends: libqt4-dbus but it is not going to be installed
Depends: libqt4-network but it is not going to be installed

Ok I thought, I can add them mysefl through SynapticPM, BUT on selection SPM marks a lot of VERY critical packages for removal including compiz, gparted, iceweasel, vlc and more!

Seems to me doing this will kill my pendrive! Can someone explain to me please what is going on here? and why? Is there a way to resolve this issue to get Skype working?

Many thanks!

P.S. please be gentle... this is my first post!! :)

[klaus2008]

Which version of Knoppix do you use?

Is it possible to download Knoppix 7.0.4 DVD and to try again?

[pastabake]

Hey, thanks for your reply!!

I have version 6.7. I didn't know version 7 was out, I have a spare flash drive I think so Ill give it a go. I assume that means there is no hope for version 6.7!? Is there a quick way to transfer setting and any saved data from one pendrive to another?

[pastabake]

As an update to anyone who might read this. I got knoppix7 CD up and running and its much slicker. I got both Skype and Spotify working right out the box by adding the repos to the sources list and both apt-get installed without any issue.

I haven't read much about the changes between knoppix 6 and 7 but knoppix 7 appears a lot more Debian friendly when it comes to installing any .deb file. Where as before, although being Debian based knoppix seemed to have its own slightly different way of doing things and peculiarities that meant you could not just install programs as you would with any other Debian based system.

All in all very happy and impressed. :-D

[pastabake]

I finaly had success with this yesterday. Knoppix 7 seems far far slicker and any deb package seems to install. I don't understand how to use the dpkg command properly, I just added the following for Spotify and Skype respectively to my sources.list:


deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free
deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free
then simply: sudo apt-get update

then: sudo apt-get install skype

it just worked!

[mikeymike]

I finaly had success with this yesterday. Knoppix 7 seems far far slicker and any deb package seems to install. I don't understand how to use the dpkg command properly, I just added the following for Spotify and Skype respectively to my sources.list:


deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free
deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free
then simply: sudo apt-get update

then: sudo apt-get install skype

it just worked!

The code-free solution is to go into synaptic program manager and choose settings->repositories->new and add the information shown in the bottom of the list in the following window

then you go back to synaptic program manager and RELOAD.
then you search for skype and it should be there:


However, when you right-click it and "mark for installation", you are told it is NOT AUTHENTICATED:

What to do?

[Werner P. Schulz]

However, when you right-click it and "mark for installation", you are told it is NOT AUTHENTICATED:

What to do?
Trust or not trust, that's the question :-)

[Denver Dave]

Thanks for the post. I could have sworn that Skype was one of the internet programs in the menu, but couldn't find it with knoppix 7.0.5 tonight.

<sigh> found my own post from earlier in this thread - forgot I had the same issue before:]

I too am trying to figure out how to install skype with knoppix and wondering why this isn't easier.

[utu]

...wondering why this isn't easier...Knoppix doesn't include or facilitate inclusion of Skype as it might.
In researching why this should be, I have learned that there are both
licensing and potential security issues that cause this to be so.

Skype terms of use:
http://www.skype.com/en/legal/tou/
See especially the licensing section.

Skype security considerations:
http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/16407/skype-security-linux\ (http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/16407/skype-security-linux%5C)
See especially Ninefingers' comments.

Without belaboring onerous licensing and potential security problems
related to Skype, I am informed that Knoppix users might be better served
by free software alternatives like Google+ Hangouts, standard SIP applications
like ekiga and linphone, or XMPP-compatible programs like Pidgin.
All of these have secure and open protocols, and best of all, are already
included-in, or at least freely available and applicable-to Knoppix.

This intends to amplify a hint Capricorny introduced back at post #9.

[Frece]

Install GDebi (if you use CD version) via Synaptic and right click the .deb file of Skype. Choose GDebi Package installer and install. Worked for me :).

[Werner P. Schulz]

Well, gdebi sometimes can solve dependencies while installing .deb-packages; but have you seen the age of the thread?

[Frece]

Well better later than never. And sometimes people get lazy and search for quick solutions so I decided to put one.