distantthunder / ghetto-skype

Web Skype + Tray Icon + Notifications

Ghetto Skype

Ghetto Skype is an electron client that uses Web Skype to better integrate with desktop environments found on Linux.

Credit to skype-unofficial-client for coming up with this idea. His version uses node webkit whereas mine uses Electron. This means you get a few extra goodies like notifications from Electron.

Why it's better than Web Skype

• Tray Icon indicates you have unread messages
• Electron will send notifications to notifyd
• Use your default image viewer (writes to /tmp)
• Start minimized when you start your computer
• Run Skype through a proxy
• Alternative themes

Cons

• I haven't figured out how to get video calls to work yet

Installing

You can download the RPM or DEB package on the releases page or you can build from source with the instructions below.

If you run Arch Linux, you can use the AUR package nlowe created. Please send any issues with the AUR package to his repository.

Dependencies

If building from source:

• Node 6.3.1 or higher (Debian/Ubuntu/Mint users need nodejs-legacy package)
• GCC C++ Compiler
  • Debian based: sudo apt-get install build-essential
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install gcc{,-c++}
• GraphicsMagick and libicns-utils:
  • Debian based: sudo apt-get install icnsutils graphicsmagick xz-utils
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install libicns-utils GraphicsMagick
• X11 devel packages:
  • Debian based: sudo apt-get install libxkbfile-dev libx11-dev
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install libX11-devel libxkbfile-devel
• If installing RPM: sudo dnf install rpm-build
• If installing DEB: sudo apt-get install fakeroot dpkg

Try it out

Skip packaging and run this:

[u@h ghetto-skype]$ npm install && npm start

Setup

We use electron-builder to package Ghetto Skype. Change the target to the format you prefer. By default, it uses "deb". For a full list of supported formats, refer to the wiki for electron-builder. The target should be set in ghetto-skype/package.json

[u@h ghetto-skype]$ npm install
[u@h ghetto-skype]$ npm run dist
[u@h ghetto-skype]$ cd dist && ls # package placed here

Tips

There's a separate settings window located in the context menu of the tray icon.

Using a Proxy

There currently isn't a way to edit this with the settings window right now. You can open ~/.config/Ghetto\ Skype/settings.json with your favorite text editor and add your proxy to the ProxyRule setting, save, and restart Ghetto Skype. For a better understanding of the format please refer to Electron's wiki (specifically ses.setProxy)

Example:

{
	"StartMinimized": false,
	"MicrosoftAccount": false,
	"NativeImageViewer": false,
	"ProxyRules": "socks5://46.105.6.191:5050"
}

Setting Zoom Level

If the font/photos are not big enough for you, you can use the zoom factor in the ~/.config/Ghetto\ Skype/settings.json. This will be added to the settings screen soon.

Example 150%:

{
	"StartMinimized": false,
	"MicrosoftAccount": false,
	"NativeImageViewer": false,
	"ProxyRules": "socks5://46.105.6.191:5050",
	"ZoomFactor": 1.5
}

Disclaimer

The Skype name, associated trade marks and logos and the "S" logo are trade marks of Skype or related entities. This project is merely a browser :)