Ubuntu / Linux news and application reviews.

This is a quick post to let you know that Skype (which has been added to the Ubuntu partner official repository a few days ago - Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx only!) package in the Ubuntu Partner repository got some fixes which were previously available for the Medibuntu package (Skype is no longer available in the Medibuntu repository for Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx) so if you didn't enable this repository, now it's a good time to do so.


If you don't know how to enable the Ubuntu Partner repository, see THIS post.


When Skype was added to the Ubuntu Partner repository, it took them around two days to publish it into the actual repository - hopefully this update will get to everybody sooner.


I'm not sure what fixes this update brings, but in case it doesn't fix the webcam not working in Ubuntu, here is a work-around:

Create a file called whatever you want (skype.sh or whatever) and paste this:
#!/bin/sh
export XLIB_SKIP_ARGB_VISUALS=1
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype.real "$@"
exit 0


Then save the file.

Finally, make the script executable:
chmod +x /path/to/skype.sh


And then use this script to run Skype instead of the original menu entry.