Skype fails to start

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1

After the latest zypper up Skype errors out.

`ion@localhost:~> skype
/snap/skype/351/snap/command-chain/desktop-launch: line 52: /home/ion/.config/user-dirs.dirs: Permission denied
sed: can’t read /home/ion/.config/user-dirs.dirs: Permission denied
/snap/skype/351/snap/command-chain/desktop-launch: line 264: /home/ion/.config/user-dirs.dirs: Permission denied
cp: cannot open ‘/home/ion/.config/user-dirs.locale’ for reading: Permission denied
/snap/skype/351/snap/command-chain/desktop-launch: line 269: /home/ion/.config/user-dirs.locale: Permission denied

  • [ -f /home/ion/snap/skype/common/.config/skypeforlinux/settings.json ]
  • export SKYPE_LOGS=/home/ion/snap/skype/351/logs
  • [ ! -d /home/ion/snap/skype/351/logs ]
  • exec /snap/skype/351/usr/share/skypeforlinux/skypeforlinux
    Failed to move to new namespace: PID namespaces supported, Network namespace supported, but failed: errno = Operation not permitted
    Trace/breakpoint trap (core dumped)
    ion@localhost:~> [7460:0100/000000.644730:ERROR:zygote_linux.cc(650)] write: Broken pipe (32)
    ^C
    ion@localhost:~>
    but both /home/ion/.config/user-dirs.locale and /home/ion/.config/user-dirs.dirs are read and write for all users.

`

2

My temporary solution is digging up an old skypeforlinux.rpm and installing it. It works but likely not for long if I know Microsoft. I have deleted the snap installed version that errors out, but hopefully it will work when I am forced to use it.

3

Me no idea about advanced Linux. I am using Skype sourced via “Software” application from Flathub - and that works well.

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4

MS changed how skype is distributed. No more binary excitable now uses snap. Go to skype page to get full instructions

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5

That’s how I installed the Skype that will not start. It uses snap. I have a funny feeling that if I re-install it, it will work again. I prefer not to use third party software, but have no choice, and really don’t like using snap.

6

@ionmich use the flatpak version, flatpak --user install com.skype.Client

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7

Tried that.

ion@localhost:~> flatpak --user install com.skype.Client
Looking for matches…
error: No remote refs found for ‘com.skype.Client’
ion@localhost:~> flatpak --user install com.skype.client
Looking for matches…
error: No remote refs found for ‘com.skype.client’
ion@localhost:~>

I thought the “C” might be a mistype.

8

@ionmich Did you add the flatpak repository?
flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

9

Thank you, that worked. I don’t remember ever having use flatpak. I have to read about it. Is there any particular reason a Skype .rpm is not available?

10

Yes. Microsoft explained it last year:
https://www.reddit.com/r/skype/comments/1861hvo/skype_for_linux_distribution_method_change/

11

@ionmich Hi. After a bad experience with Kubuntu (I installed and updated it for 1 month) and its snaps I don’t want to know anything about snaps anymore. I also tried to install skype from flatpak. but I was dissuaded by the fact that it is not verified. From what I found out (I’m probably not very expert) I couldn’t find the source.

12

Thanks for the link. While the reason does make sense, I still feel skeptical as to the motivation.

13

@ionmich FYI
https://flathub.org/apps/com.skype.Client
https://github.com/flathub/com.skype.Client
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/what-s-new-in-skype-for-windows-mac-linux-and-web-d32f674c-abb3-40a5-a0b7-ee269ca60831

14

Thank you. Now I need to remember to “flatpak update”.

15

Skype tells you if a new version is available no need to remember

16

Hi everyone. I gave up skype on opensuse in the past for the reasons listed above. I ended up using skype on iPad. So do you think the unverified skype flatpak is safe?

17

as safe as any binary from M$

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18

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