Skype 2.2.

[doktor5000]

Maybe you can have a look at the following links:

https://jira.skype.com/browse/SCL-335
https://jira.skype.com/browse/SCL-482
https://jira.skype.com/browse/SCL-681
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=92618
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=215021

At least you should find something under ~/.Skype/logs (if this subdirectory is not there, create it before starting skype)
which could tell you some more details. Seems it can also be a workaround to unplug your webcam before starting skype,
but naturally that's only an option if not built-in ...

[zugunder]

Hi guys,

Thank you a lot! Dynamic 2.1.0.81 seems to be OK.
Just FYI: in a decently illuminated room in a test mode (watching my own image) it consumes 12-13% on my dual-core (out of 200% according to top). In a darker room, with 5-7fps, it is only 5-6% (out of 200 again). Looks slightly better than before... Thank you!

[barjac]

Hi guys,

Thank you a lot! Dynamic 2.1.0.81 seems to be OK.
Just FYI: in a decently illuminated room in a test mode (watching my own image) it consumes 12-13% on my dual-core (out of 200% according to top). In a darker room, with 5-7fps, it is only 5-6% (out of 200 again). Looks slightly better than before... Thank you!

So it seems that there is a bug in 2.2 that hates your hardware.
Please file a bug with Skype on this, giving as much information as possible about your set-up.

Meanwhile, add get-skype to /etc/urpmi/skip.list so that it will not be updated to 2.2 in regular updates.

If anyone else needs the unofficial get-skype-2.1.0.81 then please PM me with a valid email address.

[zugunder]

Should I add there /get-skype/ or /^get-skype/?

[doktor5000]

So it seems that there is a bug in 2.2 that hates your hardware.
Please file a bug with Skype on this, giving as much information as possible about your set-up.

You can file bugs on Skype for Linux here: https://jira.skype.com/browse/SCL
You have to login with your Skype credentials.

Should I add there /get-skype/ or /^get-skype/?

Only add /^skype/

[ahmad]

Should I add there /get-skype/ or /^get-skype/?

Both should work the same.

The skip.list matches regular expressions:

Code: Select all

/^get-skype/

^ means "beginning of line", i.e. only match packages whose names start with "get-skype", but not e.g. "lets-get-skype".

[doktor5000]

Sorry, was a bit late. Overlooked that Barry created an get-skype-2.1.0.81 and this was installed ...
The second part of my reply is not correct, it would be only for the upstream skype packages.

[zugunder]

Hi guys,
Here is some update on the Skype problem I had, may be helpful for someone...

Having experienced some issues with sound, I updated Skype from 2.1.0.81 to the (latest I think, from Cauldron) 2.2.0.35. This version used to crash right after logging in. But, if you deactivate "Skype Access" (in Options) before login, it does not crash anymore. This is the 100% reason for crashes, as in 2.1 there is no such an option available at all.
On the other hand, I checked the CPU consumption of the latest version - in my case with correction for the upside-down camera it was ~40% with video test, which is as twice as much as 2.1.0.81.
So I had to say goodbye to it and return to the older 2.1.0.81.
Trivial conclusion: newer does not mean better

P.S. Could we make one more thread in MAQeia dedicated to Skype problems?

[doktor5000]

Yes, i'll try a MAQeia for Skype, poke me again if it's not ready this weekend.

Also, here, Skype Access is enabled all the time, so this must be something about your configuration,
also the cpu usage could be caused by the v4l wrappers. Here skype is using directly native drivers,
it never goes above 10% and whole system is 90% idle.

[zugunder]

Yes, I understand that there is an obvious conflict with MY hardware, but I was not able to identify what exactly caused it. Now it seems to be clear that it is Skype Access.
As for the CPU consumption - of course, it is due to the v4l preloaded library that flips the image. And here are 2 points I'd like to highlight:
1. Skype seems to switch to some video compression mode to save traffic because in my case CPU consumption strongly depends on framerate.
2. Skype 2.2 does it using more CPU compared to 2.1.