How to install Spark 2.7.5 IM client on Linux

Spark is an Open Source, cross-platform IM client optimized for businesses and organizations. It features built-in support for group chat, telephony integration, and strong security. It also offers a great end-user experience with features like in-line spell checking, group chat room bookmarks, and tabbed conversations. We can easily integrate with openfire server. The Ignite Realtime community has just released Spark 2.7.5 on January 14, 2016.

1) Download & Install Spark

Use the below link to download the Spark IM client latest release of archive and we can install it to all the Linux distro such as CentOS, RHEL, Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, openSUSE & Mint. Make sure you should install JAVA before proceeding Spark installation because it’s mandatory to run Spark.

[Checking JAVA Version]
$ java -version
java version "1.7.0_95"
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (IcedTea 2.6.4) (7u95-2.6.4-0ubuntu0.15.10.1)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.95-b01, mixed mode)

[Download Spark Archive file on /opt directory]
$ wget http://download.igniterealtime.org/spark/spark_2_7_5.tar.gz

[Extract Spark Archive file]
$ tar -zxvf spark_2_7_5.tar.gz

[Download Spark Icon on /opt/Spark directory]
$ wget https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50880014/spark.png

[Prerequisites library]
$ sudo apt-get install libxtst6:i386 libxi6:i386

Create Desktop shortcut for Spark.

$ sudo nano /usr/share/applications/spark.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Spark
Version=2.7.5
GenericName=Spark
X-GNOME-FullName=Spark
Comment=ignite realtime Spark IM client
Type=Application
Categories=Application;Utility;
Path=/opt/Spark            [Mention your path, if you using different one]   
Exec=/opt/Spark/Spark      [Mention your path, if you using different one]
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=true
Icon=/opt/Spark/spark.png  [Mention your path, if you using different one]
TargetEnvironment=Unity

Launch the Spark App
how-to-setup-own-instant-messaging-server-using-openfire-in-linux-10
Spark Screenshot taken form Fedora.
install-spark-im-client-on-linux
That’s it.

About Magesh Maruthamuthu

Love to play with all Linux distribution

View all posts by Magesh Maruthamuthu

40 Comments on “How to install Spark 2.7.5 IM client on Linux”

  1. i am fllow each steps…but i start spark its open in gediter…………also not working with ching desktop details

  2. Nice article, but there are a couple of details missing:
    1. What is the current directory when you start with the wget, etc? That will be the installation directory.
    2. “sudo” isn’t needed on some of the commands, only the apt-get (depending on the installation directory)
    3. The desktop icon definition (spark.desktop) needs to have the paths modified depending on the installation directory.

    I got it working well on Ubuntu 14.04 with no problems. I installed in my home directory under “Spark”.

    Thanks again!

    1. @Sanjay,
      Are you getting any error message ? If so, share with me. If no, go to /opt/spark/logs/error.log (Check at your location where have you installed the spark) and share.

  3. I have saved link for spart 2.6.3 but now it’s show this configuration on same link would you please provide me that step before here mention. it was very useful to me. I need it.

      1. Hello , I have the same issue “Error: could not find or load main class com.install4j.runtime.launcher.Launcher ” .

        It happens when I try to launch Spark via : /bin/bash /opt/spark/Spark .

        I am trying to use the last version from their website , the version is spark_2_7_2.tar.gz .

        I tried to remove all openjdk from my machine , then remove spark directory , reinstall oracle-java7-installer and oracle-java6-installer then recreate a fresh Spark directory but can’t manage to have to work 🙁 .

  4. Hi, I was unable to run the spark.The errors.log sheet was empty incase you can figure out the problem. also wanted to know if any prerequisite software required? How do I now unistall the package and reinstall?Please suggest

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