If you are using Skype on Linux, you should by now have realised that the program has been generally ignored on the free and open source platforms as the Microsoft gives more emphasis to its own proprietary Windows operating system.
The last time that any kind of updated landed for the software on machines running any Linux-based operating systems was back in 2014 and for the past two years, Skype for Linux have been slowly withering away, constantly crashing and coughing up all sorts of problems.
In an unexpected turn of events, Microsoft has decided to change its stance about how the company perceive the Skype app for Linux by releasing the first Alpha update that features some interesting new elements including an entirely new architecture as well as an updated user interface.
http://news.tecmint.com/microsoft-updates-skype-for-linux-for-the-first-time-in-two-years/