Skype 1.4 Alpha for Linux has been released, with sound quality improvements that should bring the Linux version more in line with Windows and Mac clients.

There is also better device detection, support for ALSA plugins, and a streamlined interface.

This is an Alpha release, so there are still some problems:

• There are no contact list groups
• You can't create new accounts
  
• There's no alert message if your chat message is undelivered
• There are no packaged versions available, you have to install the program manually

[via Skype Journal]