Linux is one of the most popular operating systems that is in the market. Although Windows is the popular choice par excellence, the ease that the operating system GNU offers for programming makes it the top choice for work computers.
Thanks to the popularity of video calling, Skype also has a client compatible with the Linux kernel, giving you access to all its tools and services in all distributions of the Free Software Operating System.
In this guide, you will learn step by step the procedure to download and install Skype on your computer with Linux operating system, in addition to the best functions it has, and a couple of tricks that will be very useful.
Learn step by step how to install Skype on any Linux distribution from scratch
Get the Skype for Linux program, in any of its distributions, it has no more complications than doing it with any other operating system. To download Skype, you just need to get the appropriate installation package from its official page. In addition, the fastest procedure to install is through the command terminal, through which we can access the programs we want to install more quickly.
Let’s see next:
Get the latest version of Skype
The first step is download the Skype installation file.
The safest method for this is from your website, and once there, We will have to select the operating system for which we want to install Skype:
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Enters to the official page
Skype.comfrom your browser. - click in the section of Downloads, located at the top of the page.
- Press above the arrow next to the download button, this will display a list of operating systems for which the installer is available.
- For Ubuntu / Debian and its derivatives, you must select the package file DEB.
Enter the download folder and access DPKG
When the download is complete, you will have the Skype installer for Linux in your download directory.
For the next step, it will be necessary to enter this folder, from where we will start the installation of the file through the following procedure:
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Open a window from the command terminal and enter
cd ~/Descargas, this will open the download directory on your computer. -
In the download folder, open the tool DPKG to install the package. This is done through the command
sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64.deb.
Start the installation and solve the errors
When running the DPKG program, will start the installation process on the system. Nevertheless, installation failures are very likely, so it will be necessary to be on the lookout to solve them.
These faults can be easily solved using the following command:
sudo apt install –f
Skype functions and features What is all I can do with this tool on my computer?
Regardless of the operating system we use, the Skype program has a wide variety of very interesting functions that, at the very least, will make the user experience easier and more pleasant. The reason why Skype is so popular is because of the fluidity and easy integration of its tools with any operating system that, added to the number of tools it has, offers us one of the most complete communication applications on the market.
Among the most notable functions of Skype, we can mention the following:
- Audio calls: Through the phone number or Skype user ID, we can make voice calls to our contacts as long as we have an internet connection.
- HD video calls: Although this is highly dependent on the quality of the connection, in general Skype provides its users with a very respectable image quality during video calls.
- Shared screen: Whether for work or recreational purposes, Skype provides us with the option of sharing our computer screen with the other members of the video call, which facilitates the exchange of information.
- Call recording: Skype has a recording tool that allows you to make a record of the audio and video calls made. It should be noted that, by activating this option, an alert will be sent to all members of the call, alerting them that someone is recording.
- Live subtitles: This option is especially useful for computers with audio problems, since it allows you to read what is said in a video call.
- Private conversations: they are one-to-one conversations that can consist of texts or voice calls that include end-to-end encryption to protect the privacy of the communication content.
- Phone calls: Although calls to a mobile or landline number require a credit plan, it is possible to contact landlines and mobiles from your Skype application.
List of the best Skype tricks on Linux to get the most out of this tool
The skype app has access to a large number of quite interesting faculties that give you a certain advantage over your direct competitors.
With these tricks, you can greatly improve your user experience:
Make calls to landlines and mobiles
Among the many functions that Skype has, one of the most outstanding is the possibility of making calls to mobile and landline numbers, with the same ease with which you call another Skype user. It should be noted that, although this function is not totally free, it is quite inexpensive, since the service of Skype includes optional plans that will allow you to access this feature.
Edit sent messages
This interesting tool gives us the ability to edit text messages that have already been sent. The usefulness of this function stands out when, for whatever reason, we want to better express an idea in the text message that we have already shared. The only condition to be able to use this option is that it can only be applied to a recent text message.
And in order to use it, we just have to follow these steps:
- In the chat window, right click on the message you want to edit.
- From the list of options, select “Edit message”.
- Make the necessary modifications and click “Keep”.
- Verify that there is a pencil icon in the message, if visible, the changes have been saved successfully.
Send video messages to your contacts
In general, we use Skype as a platform for video conferencing, audio calls and instant messagingHowever, we can take advantage of its support for sending multimedia files to send video messages to our contacts
All we have to do for this is to be guided by the following procedure:
- Open the chat who do you want to contact
- Press the button camera
- Keep hold the capture button to record a video
- Press “Send” to send it to the chat
Know if someone is in invisible mode
Being honest, there is no specific method to know if any user of Skype is found in invisible mode.
However, if you have this suspicion, there are steps you can take to check if this is the case:
- Send a message to the user you are trying to locate, if the animation indicating that the message is being sent does not appear, means the contact is online.
- Check if the button to make video calls is green. If this is the case, it means that the user is available, but hiding through invisible mode.
Know who has blocked you
Unlike popular social networks like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, where it is almost impossible to know if a contact has blocked you or removed from your list, in Skype this is very easy to check.
All you need is to make a short visit to the profile of the user in question, following these steps:
- Enter your contact list and select the user you want to check.
- Enter your profile and check if you can read your information. Otherwise, you will only be able to see the user’s name in gray, with a question mark in the profile photo.
- Click on the contact card of the user. If the text is displayed “This user has not shared details with you” it means that he has blocked you.