Skype is one of the popular, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application that lets you make calls from one skype user to another skype user over the internet, free of cost! Apart from free calling, people use it as an instant messenger to converse with friends and for video calling purpose. It is a cross-platform application, so you can install it on Windows/Linux/Mac.
Windows and Mac users can download and install Skype directly using installers. While, Linux users can also install it by downloading direct installer for linux from Skype website. But, installing the software from repository will automatically keep the software up-to date.
From Ubuntu partner repository
Earlier, Skype was a part of Medibuntu repository, but recently it was uploaded to Official Ubuntu partner repository in Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx.
- Go to System >> Administration >> Software Sources and click on “Other Software” tab.
- Click on the check box just ahead of “http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu lucid partner ” to enable the Ubuntu partner repository.
- Reload the repository if asked to, and after the update process is over, type the following command in the linux terminal:
sudo apt-get install skypeThe above command will install Skype from Official Ubuntu partner repository to your linux machine.
From Skype repository
Skype can also be installed from Skype repository. Follow the steps below to go through it with ease!
- Go to System >> Administration >> Software Sources and click on “Other Software” tab.
- Add Skype repository by clicking add from the bottom of window and typing in the APT line:
deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free
- Open the linux terminal and type the following command to install Skype:
sudo apt-get install skype- Press “y” and enter if asked to verify the packages.
If you want to add the repository from the linux terminal itself, without using GUI i.e. instead of adding the repository to Software Sources (as in Step 1 & 2), these are the commands:
- Open terminal (Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal) and edit “/etc/apt/sources.list” file by typing the command:
gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list- Add the following line at the end of “/etc/apt/sources.list” file:
deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free- Update the system with latest repository using apt-get update command as:
sudo apt-get update- Finally, install Skype using the command:
sudo apt-get install skype
Launch Skype from Applications >> Internet >> Skype. The application install worked perfectly for me in both the ways. Happy Talking! 
Article by Sahil Malhan
Sahil Malhan is a part-time blogger with really strong passion for his work. He considers Blogging as the best source of self education. Follow him on twitter @sahilmalhan. Subscribe to feed via RSS Follow us on twitter @techtickle
Sahil has written 303 articles for us at TechTickle.