4

Skype 4.0 for Linux has been released. I would like to test the new version but keep the old 2.2 around just in case. I cannot find the 2.2 installation .deb, even though I thought that I did save one (I usually do save installation files).

EDIT: Is there any way to "export" a .deb package from the currently-installed Skype?

Improve this question
2
  • If you're just looking for a copy of the 2.2 deb I have that. But I have no way to prove that it's the legit version. sha1sum of the 64-bit deb is 171e50e1e25cf844ff5cdf9ee66da91b0b440634 skype-ubuntu_2.2.0.35-1_amd64.deb
    – OmnipotentEntity
    Jun 15, 2012 at 7:20
  • 1
    @OmnipotentEntity: Yes, I am wary but if you could somehow make that .deb available to the Gmail user with my SO username I would be grateful!
    – dotancohen
    Jun 15, 2012 at 7:42

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
6

it's completely unnecessary to run a virtual machine or a chroot just for skype.

if you download the statically linked (not requiring system dependancies) skype distributable, you can run both Skype 4.0 and Skype 2.2 on the same system.

install skype 4.0 using the deb, and download the statically linked version of skype 2.2 and extract it to /opt and then add /opt/skype-VERSION to your $PATH in ~/.bashrc

rename the skype executable in /opt/skype-VERSION to something like skype-2.2

and once you've done all of that, you should be able to run skype-2.2 and skype for either version.

here's Skype 2.2 static: http://download.skype.com/linux/skype_static-2.2.0.35.tar.bz2

Improve this answer
5
  • Thank you. How did you find that link?
    – dotancohen
    Jun 19, 2012 at 20:35
  • 2
    Archlinux versions their package sources, so when I need a link to an old packge, I just look at an older version of the PKGBUILD, and the URL is right there.
    – WhyNotHugo
    Jul 30, 2012 at 15:06
  • @dotancohen I'm not very sure I recall how I found that link. I believe I used my Google-fu to find it.
    – Dario Russo
    Oct 17, 2012 at 16:25
  • After four months? I don't even recall what I ate four hours ago! It wasn't critical though, I see that your google-fu is more powerful than my own!
    – dotancohen
    Oct 17, 2012 at 17:49
  • The statically typed version still required a lot of local dependencies for me. I went with the dynamically linked version, as it also provides a huge benefit: DBUS remote API, which is used by some plugins like e.g. bitlbee-skype.
    – Martin C.
    Oct 29, 2012 at 18:30
3

They are still downloadable, the download page on skype.com just points to the 4.0 .deb file(s):

Improve this answer
1
  • Note for 64-bit users (amd64). After downloading the files from mclemme you must also install dependencies. The libc6-i386 written in the .deb file seems to be incorrect! At least it doesn't fit on new systems (>= ubuntu maverick) You should use libc6-dev-amd64 instead. Total list of packages: ia32-libs lib32asound2 lib32gcc1 lib32stdc++6 libc6-dev-amd64
    – VasyaNovikov
    Oct 9, 2012 at 15:15
3

Answer by spyroboy is great, but in general there may be incompatibilities between the way versions store user information (e.g. chat history, etc.). This is in ~/.Skype . The release notes make reference to upgrading the way this information is stored. So, I haven't tried spyroboy's solution, but suggest making a copy of the .Skype directory before running 4.0 for the first time if you hope to keep chat history, etc. available for version 2.2

Improve this answer
2
  • This is a very good point.
    – LawrenceC
    Oct 9, 2012 at 15:19
  • it's not like this is relevant to the question however there is a concern regarding the nature of the question. it is a good point but there's no solution around it. it's inherent to running multiple versions of any software. I believe worrying about this is a lot less critical than running a whole chroot or virtual machine for a voip application. alternatively, I doubt anyone really wants to do this except me, you can open the Skype binary in a hex editor and probably change the configuration directory to something else. although sounds blackhat-ish, it's more than likely perfectly safe.
    – Dario Russo
    Oct 17, 2012 at 16:32
2

Try virtualbox. Install the new version in a VM.

As for the searching of the lost file, enter the command in a shell:

locate *Skype*.deb

or

locate *skype*.deb

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks. I did use locate and found that I have an old 2.0 Skype version in my backups.
    – dotancohen
    Jun 15, 2012 at 7:43
2

You could either install a virtual machine running another instance of your preferred derivative of Linux or look at chroot. Here is a great guide to get started.

Improve this answer
1
  • Thank you, chroot does seem to be the right way to do what I am trying to do.
    – dotancohen
    Jun 15, 2012 at 7:43

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .