Setting up Skypeweb with Bitlbee
Skypeweb is a libpurple plugin that doesn't require you to run a skype client in the background. As the name suggests, it uses http://web.skype.com/
It supports both skype usernames and microsoft accounts ("msn")
Building and installing
Follow the instructions in https://github.com/EionRobb/skype4pidgin/tree/master/skypeweb
You need bitlbee-libpurple, see HowtoPurple
Adding the account
account add skypeweb username password account skypeweb on
Troubleshooting
If something doesn't work, check if logging in through http://web.skype.com/ works. See the Skypeweb troubleshooting chart:
https://github.com/EionRobb/skype4pidgin/tree/master/skypeweb#issues
To enable the "alt login" option mentioned in the above flowchart from bitlbee, you can use the commands:
account skypeweb off account skypeweb set alt-login true account skypeweb on
Skype status announcements: http://heartbeat.skype.com/