Emesene 1.5 With Webcam Support [How To Install It In Ubuntu]

Emesene is an instant messenger for the WLM (Windows Live Messenger) network which works on both Windows and Linux.

Emesene 1.5 brings a lot of new features and bugfixes, most notable being the webcam (video) support. Changes in 1.5:

* Compatible with the latest Window Live Messenger(tm)
* New plugin set (Plus! colors, Notifications, Mail check, etc.)
* HTTP connection and proxy support
* @msn accounts support
* Better contact list management with Privacy Tab and ability to reject users
* Improved Offline Messaging experience
* Support for msn groups
* No more gui locks
* Experimental webcam support with a configurator
* New layout options and improved usability along with customization
* Tons of new languages supported

To install Emesene 1.5 in Ubuntu:

1. Add the Launchpad PPA repository:

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys E2314809
sudo echo "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/bjfs/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

2. Install Emesene

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install emesene

or if you already have Emesene installed and need to upgrade:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

For other Linux distributions, download the source code from HERE.

How to run Emesene as Root

Before you follow any of the below steps, you show know that YOU MUST NOT LOG IN AS ROOT. If you still chose to do so, then read on.

Emesene refuses to start when you are logged in as root. In fact, if you runt it in a terminal, the following text is displayed:

I refuse to run as root

To make Emesene run as root, press Alt + F2 and type:

gksu gedit /usr/share/python-support/emesene/Controller.py

Then search for "I refuse to run as root" in that file. Comment that line, the line before and after it, using the "#" symbol. Like this:

def debug(msg):
'''print a debug message'''
print 'Controller: ' + msg

def main():
#    if os.name == 'posix' and os.getuid() == 0:
#        print "I refuse to run as root"
#        return

try:
path = os.path.dirname(__file__) or sys.path[0]
except NameError:
path = sys.path[0]

[via ubuntu tips]