I need some help downloading skype? get this error message /tmp/skype-debian_2.0.0.72-1_i386-1.deb could not be opened, because the associated helper application does not exist. Change the association in your preferences.

First of all you have to download Skype - from here: http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/choose/
Select the Ubuntu 7.04-8.04 version which will yield a 14.8 MB .deb file.
Double click on that file to install it.

The application that opens and installs deb files is "GDebi Package installer". You will find it under "Add/Remove". There are two versions, one for Gnome and the other for KDE.

Hi! Thanks for your suggestions but I keep on getting the same error message /tmp/skype-debian_2.0.0.72-1_i386-1.deb could not be opened, because the associated helper application does not exist. Change the association in your preferences. Bye!

If you do not have GDebi Package Installer installed, then you must install it to open the file.

If you do have it installed then right click on the downloaded file and select "Open with Other Application" and choose the GDeb installer from the list.

If do have it installed but I continue to get these error messages /tmp/skype-debian_2.0.0.72-1_i386-4.deb could not be opened, because the associated helper application does not exist. Change the association in your preferences. Also this one tmp/skype-debian_2.0.0.72-1_i386.deb could not be saved, because you cannot change the contents of that folder. Change the folder properties and try again, or try saving in a different location. bye!

I save my downloads in a file called "Downloads" in my Home directory. You can specify that by going into Firefox, Edit, Preferences, Main.

It appears to me that the file you need has not been downloaded or saved. You will have to try it again.

When you right click on the deb file what is given as the application to open it?

Also, right click on the deb file and go to Properties and see what is in the "Open with" tab.

hello,

pls go to

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu

and follow the links; you'll find skype among other packages there specifically for ubunu; it'll install with no problems.

I hope this helps to get your problems solved.

peter b

Howto install Skype and googleearth

Please simply add the medibuntu https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu repository to install Skype and/or GoogleEarth.

-- Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications → Accessories → Terminal and type or copy and paste:

If you are using Ubuntu 8.10 intrepid
sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/intrepid.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

If you are using Ubuntu 8.04 hardy
sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/hardy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

-- give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter

Then type or copy and paste:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get update

You may be asked to accept this package even though it cannot be authenticated. This is normal; typing "Yes" means you trust Medibuntu.

Then type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get install skype googleearth

To install Skype on a Ubuntu 64bit please take a look at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/skype_amd64

Or better try this: http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-ubuntu-amd64

If this solves you problem, please mark as Solved. If not, please clarify your question.

Hope this helps

Same issue with Ubuntu v8.1 and Firefox v3x.

Solution - download and install MozPlugger into the Ubuntu operating system.I used Synatic Package Manger for this.

Then edit Firefox preferences > applications > search for the file type you wish to download and set it to MozPlugger.

MozPlugger automatically knows which is the required operating system application for the specific file type.

Potential issue - first ensure the required application is installed locally,else MozPlugger won't work.