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I am, for quite some time already, searching for a linux console (e.g. BASH) programm that offers the Instant Messenger functionality of Skype.

What I really do not need is microphone/call/listening functionality. Just the messaging.

Is such a program out there?

Update: Ok, maybe I could write my own GUI. So I'd also take an available library that can handle Skype. (although a functional program would be preferred).

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Skype is not open source, and not only that, there are some patents on their stuff. I am not sure, anybody would put any energy in reverse-engineering their stuff since there is ekiga which is open source. – txwikinger Aug 24 '09 at 14:51
ICQ is not open source either. www.climm.org is what I use for that. And with ekiga I can't talk to other Skype users, which would be the point. :) – StampedeXV Aug 25 '09 at 6:17

8 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

As @Zillion wrote before, Pidgin has skype plugin. But you still need Skype running in the background. So if you will create or find somewhere such command line application - it still needs running skype in the background.

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Skype is a proprietary program,you'll have to use it as it is,and since they do not provide a CLI version of the program,then you'll have to run the GUI version

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Finch is a CLI companion to Pidgin. I guess Pidgin's, or rather libpurple's skype plugin will work. It works for me on Adium, which is based on libpurple on a Mac.

The drawback of the plugin, you have to run sykpe in the background. If you just want to chat in an xterm that's fine. Without a physical X11 display you can still do this with Xvnc or Xvfb. Skype will ask for confirmation before it allows the plugin to access its remote API though, so you need a display of some sort (physical or Xvnc and a client somewhere with display) the first time you use this.

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Skype makes a great effort to make reverse engineering almost impossible. And then there are the legal issues... I think nobody is ever going to bother. Why would they?

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To be able to talk to other Skype users using a Linux Console (www.climm.org). – StampedeXV Aug 25 '09 at 6:17
Yeah, but who wants to talk to people who can't install ekiga? ;) – Kim Aug 25 '09 at 9:04
up vote 0 down vote

No there is not, Skype can only be run with GUI.

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pidgin can be runned as a CLI app so maybe the skype plugin it is will work also with the same limitations ...

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after all is said and done, i suggest, you ask this question in the Skype Forum or in the Skype Developer Zone

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It must not be an official spinoff. – StampedeXV Aug 28 '09 at 8:36
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Why "must not"? If they do provide the functionality why would you be opposed to using an official tool? Putting aside the fact that we know they don't. – beggs Aug 28 '09 at 8:56
sorry, I meant it does not have to be. Common error for germans. My fault. – StampedeXV Aug 28 '09 at 9:33
up vote 0 down vote

http://imo.im/ is a web-based client for different IMs, and also Skype.

So it is in fact possible to write your own GUI for Skype, for all of you who were in doubt :).

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Imo.im is 'under the radar', as others have said Skype is opposed to this so if Imo.im gets big they might get smacked down. – beggs Aug 28 '09 at 8:57
It is also working on android phones. – StampedeXV Feb 24 '12 at 10:13

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