Skype 2.1 beta for Linux

It is known that Skype for Linux greatly lags behind the Windows and Mac version; it has fewer options and offers only basic functionality. Becouse the code is closed, Linux users can only remain the developers and let them know that we are their customers too. After an almost year break, the new beta version 2.1 is here. News is just a few, but they are certainly welcome. Now there is a SILK codec, which should provide better audio quality even on slower connections, support for high quality video and also PulseAudio. Contacts can be organized in groups, and now it is possible to send SMS with Skype, there are new emoticons, typing indicator, so you can see when the other side is writing message. More info can be found here. If you're impatient for the final release, beta version can be downloaded from the official Skype website (there are ready-made packages for Ubuntu 8.04, Ubuntu 8.10 +, Debian Lenny, Fedora 9 and openSUSE 10 & 11 +).