Love or hate it, Skype is very popular program for many computer users. While not open source, I do appreciate Skype making client for Linux users. Skype had two common problems under some Linux distros.
1. Skype did not work with Pulse Audio: This was fixed with the first Skype 2.1 beta1 (2.1.0.47).
2. Skype does not work well with dark themes in Gnome: This is fix in the Skype 2.1 beta 2 (2.1.0.81)
Now, I’m a big fan of dark themes, the following is a quick guide to installing under Ubuntu with a dark Gnome theme:
1. Uninstall previous version of Skype from Medibuntu.
2. Download Skype from http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/choose (don’t worry about the Ubuntu 8.10 version, works with Ubuntu 8.10 thru Ubuntu 9.10)
3. Install the deb file
sudo dpkg -i skype-ubuntu-intrepid_2.1.0.81-1_i386.deb
4. Run Skype and goto Options.
5. Under the General tab, set Choose style to Desktop Settings or GTK+.
6. Restart Skype.
For more disucssion on Skype and Open Source, I suggest listening to the Shot of Jaq podcast episode: Has Skype Won the War?
Ubuntu Tutorials also has a great write-up on the new Skype.
5 Responses to “Skype and Gnome Dark Themes”
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Hi Mike,
after seeing your screenshot I just can stop wondering what theme you are actually using. Could you send me a link? Would appreciate it very much, thanks.
The current test of Night Impression theme for Lucid.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Lucid/ImpressionGtkTheme
Thanks for this I use the Dust theme and there I had the same problem with Skype. So I downloaded the new version and followed your instructions
yeah!!! This is what i hoped for, for some time now
.. i couldn’t read my skype menu’s, unless i hovered above it with the mouse. But now, its pretty again! thanx for your article!!!
Well, it was working well also in previous versions, you only had to launch it with –disable-cleanlooks (which was the same that the actual “use desktop settings”)