Should I use Skype 4.0 64 bit or 4.1 32 bit on my 64 bit system?

[michel]

Greetings,

I was surprised to find skype-ubuntu_4.0.0.8-1_amd64.deb in my download folder. I had dowloaded the latest version for 12.04 from the Skype site but it is a 32 bit version. Is it better to use the vanilla 64 bit 4.0 version or the 12.04 specific 4.1 32 bit one bearing in mind I get a "wrong version" message when I try to install the 32 bit package.

Thanks,

Michel

[claydoh]

I am going to look at it, but previous 64 bit Skype packages were just the 32bit ones with the ia32-libs added as a dependency, to make installing it simpler for the user.

My skype is at 4.1.0, not much change other than a new login window and added integration with other MS chat clients (msn, etc)


****
Yup, the 64 bit package pulls in skype-bin, which is 32 bit. Which will pull in the 32 bit libraries if they are not needed.

I think you will find the 4.0 a slight bit better than the older versions, at least I found it so. I use it daily and it seems fine, perhaps a small improvement in video quality.

[michel]

Thanks.

Why am I getting an error message when trying to install the 4.1 32 bit version?

Error: Wrong architecture 'i386'

Michel

[vinnywright]

post the output of

uname -a

VINNY

[claydoh]

I don't know, to be honest. How are you trying to install it? It is possible that the bit of Muon that installs individual, downloaded deb packages does not support multiarch, but I don't recall having issues installing version 4 (64bit) in 12.04.

If you have the partner repository enabled in your software sources, you should just be able to install or upgrade it via a package manager. Or simply sudo apt-get dist-upgrade.

[dmeyer]

Just as a random side note: I've always found that the version from the partner repo although always slightly older (maybe a point release or bugfix release older) usually installs without hassle. The version from Skype's website usually gives me problems.

[michel]

Thanks to all the feedback. I installed the Skype in the repos and it's working fine.

Michel

[kdeputer]

EDIT!: Btw, there is NO 64-bit version of skype for Linux. It uses multiarch or ia32 libs and 32-bit architecture files and packages that are compatible on a 64-bit OS.

I read how, to add the required repo and install it from the Package Manager. Nice!