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Geek Culture / So THIS is why Skype has been sucking lately

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TheComet
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Joined: 18th Oct 2007
Location: I`m under ur bridge eating ur goatz.
Posted: 19th Feb 2013 16:41
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http://www.wired.com/business/2011/05/microsoft-buys-skype-2/

I also keep getting silly e-mails telling me to use Skype now instead of Windows Messenger (as if I would use that horrible program in the first place).

TheComet

http://blankflankstudios.tumblr.com/
"You're all wrong. You're all idiots." - Fluffy Rabbit
"Bottom line, people are retarded." - Fluffy Rabbit
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budokaiman
FPSC Tool Maker
15
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Joined: 24th Jun 2009
Playing: Hard to get
Posted: 19th Feb 2013 16:44
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I heard about this a while ago, is there any news if Microsoft will open up the Skype chat protocol? I'd switch over to Skype if I could use Pidgin, but as it is, Skype only works with the official client.

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CoffeeGrunt
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Posted: 19th Feb 2013 19:47
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Got this on my Windows Phone. At least MS finally admitted that MSN sucks.
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Van B
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22
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Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 20th Feb 2013 15:53
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Hate skype and I've never even used it.

I've had to deal with people using it, that's enough. Hell, I added code to a 'governing' app at work (shortcuts etc) that bans skype from running, if it finds the skype process it terminates it right away.

I see skype as a free phone service, but to get to the free phone, you have to crawl through a field of crap first. I'd rather just pay the phone bill than sacrifice security.

I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more memes.
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TheComet
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 16:10 Edited at: 20th Feb 2013 16:11
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So what do the majority of people on this forum use? IRC? God I hope it's not MSN.

TheComet

http://blankflankstudios.tumblr.com/
"You're all wrong. You're all idiots." - Fluffy Rabbit
"Bottom line, people are retarded." - Fluffy Rabbit
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Dar13
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 16:57
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I have an IRC client, but I never really figured it out or found a community to join. Most of the time I use either FB Chat or Skype(when under extreme duress or with video disabled). Never used MSN, though my granddad did for a while *shudder*.

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Benjamin
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 17:41
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I personally think Skype is pretty good. MSN on the other hand, is a pile of crap. Although it wasn't always like that.

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Quik
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 17:53
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I use skype, both for chatting and talking while gaming



Whose eyes are those eyes?
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budokaiman
FPSC Tool Maker
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 18:16
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I prefer Steam and Google Chat, however, I have one friend that I can only talk to through MSN. No matter what I can't get him to switch.

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Quik
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 18:27
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I like skype because of the group chats (I have a chat that we are like 6-7 friends on, that never gets closed^^) and you can call people, you have the edit and /me functions, and as a admin on a chat you can do a lot of stuff.

it saves history - which msn doesnt.. and it saves history FAAR back

I also like the interface..


At any rate - skype is IMO flexible and very nice - fits my basket just right



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TheComet
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 18:51
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An IRC client has pretty much all of what you just mentioned, except for perhaps the graphical part (smileys)

TheComet

http://blankflankstudios.tumblr.com/
"You're all wrong. You're all idiots." - Fluffy Rabbit
"Bottom line, people are retarded." - Fluffy Rabbit
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Melancholic
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 19:38 Edited at: 20th Feb 2013 19:39
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What do you all have against skype I always thought it was pretty great, good IM service with the possibility of voice/video calls, simple interface, its a hell of alot better than its predecessors... MSN *Shudders*

This may seem like a bit of a tangent, but I've recently come to think that the way we communicate using facebook and skype is unnatural, firstly it lacks the obvious body language aspects, but in nature we would never be in a situation where we would be having conversations with 2 or more people at the same time at are completely separated. I've developed a irrational hatred for people who say Hi, then expect you to hold the conversation for its entirety...


I can count to banana...
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Quik
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 20:16
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thecomet: I did use IRC back in the day - and wouldnt mind using it - but GLHF getting my friends on there x)



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The Zoq2
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 22:17
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I do use skype a lot, but all of my friends are there and right now, we havn't found any good alternatives...
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 20th Feb 2013 23:02
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I don't mind Skype and I used to like MSN, but I think the latest version is a bit pants. I prefer Steam above all, because it's simple, does the job and is reliable...at the end of the day that's all you need a messenger to be. However, I use MSN, Skype, Steam and Google Talk because not all friends are on the same messengers. At least this merger will mean 1 less messenger I need installed.

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nonZero
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Posted: 21st Feb 2013 09:58
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I never trusted Skype fully because they had a closed protocol they spy on you for certain governments (or I should say regimes since a government without freedom of speach is just that) eg:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7649761.stm
and I don't trust MS. They'll prolly make find a way to charge money for Skype users.

As far as security goes, I run Skype on my Linux box (used to run it on my tablet) and I keep no identifiable info on that box or my Skype account.

"Quotes in signatures are just stupid, especially if you're quoting yourself" ~ me
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thenerd
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Posted: 21st Feb 2013 16:36
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I'm not sure why everyone hates MSN Yes, the website is crap but the windows live messenger that comes with Windows 7 has some nice features - that Skype doesn't have. For example, it allows you to instantly paste multiple images into the chat and share it like a slideshow. With Skype you have to download the image to view it. I love both systems... I prefer using Skype for just video chat. Personally, I'm not sure I like the merger.

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Quik
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Posted: 21st Feb 2013 16:38
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Quote: "For example, it allows you to instantly paste multiple images into the chat and share it like a slideshow."

'

thats something I would LOVE for skype to have



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TheComet
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Posted: 21st Feb 2013 17:37
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What if we got together and programmed a new chat program?

TheComet

http://blankflankstudios.tumblr.com/
"You're all wrong. You're all idiots." - Fluffy Rabbit
"Bottom line, people are retarded." - Fluffy Rabbit
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thenerd
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2013 03:18
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I would, if this program included multi-user live code editing in the style of shared Google documents

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CoffeeGrunt
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2013 21:32
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I like Skype. To be fair, if a government is going to spy on you, they'll just do it regardless of software. If I understand networking correctly, every message I send across the pond has to go through UK government controlled servers, across the TA fibre cables, then through a US government cable.

Even though anyone actually intending a terrorist operation doesn't broadcast that crap anyway.
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Quik
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2013 23:35
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in sweden you pretty much need the network providers allowence for spying on people through stuff like this... as far as i understand anyway - and our network providers are very much secure on that <because, otherwise people wouldnt use their product>

so yeah.. go sweden!



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TheComet
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Posted: 23rd Feb 2013 01:06
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^Same here in Switzerland.

If you encrypt it heavily enough, I don't think the government will have a chance. A 256-bit encryption would take all of google's servers 3 trillion years to hack with brute force.

TheComet

http://blankflankstudios.tumblr.com/
"You're all wrong. You're all idiots." - Fluffy Rabbit
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nonZero
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Location: Dark Empire HQ, Otherworld, Silent Hill
Posted: 23rd Feb 2013 09:26 Edited at: 23rd Feb 2013 09:26
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Quote: "Even though anyone actually intending a terrorist operation doesn't broadcast that crap anyway"

My thoughts exactly... It's kinda retarded, the whole system. They brought SIM-card registration into my country "to aid police in investigating crimes/terrorism where criminals used cellphones". All that means is they'll se something else. Stoooopid governments.

Quote: "A 256-bit encryption would take all of google's servers 3 trillion years to hack with brute force."


TrueCrypt FTW. After six months, the FBI gave up trying crack some bid-fish white-collar criminal's financial info coz it was encrypted. But I heard in the UK that they can put you in contempt of court if you refuse to give the fuzz your password? Dunno if it's true by kinda scary when you consider they got access to all your secret stuff.

"Quotes in signatures are just stupid, especially if you're quoting yourself" ~ me
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swissolo
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Posted: 23rd Feb 2013 18:09
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Quote: "What if we got together and programmed a new chat program?"

Yes It hasn't always been this way, but lately I keep finding various programs to be insufficient to my needs and I simply create my own software to replace it But of course, never anything this large scale.

Anyways, I always end up talking through Steam. Valve has recently updated their chat systems and with the introduction of Steam Mobile there isn't much more I could need. I've never really been a fan of video chat.

swis
Joined: Tue Dec 16th 2008
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Jeku
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Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 24th Feb 2013 04:46
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How is this news? MS purchased Skype years ago!

Quote: "I heard about this a while ago, is there any news if Microsoft will open up the Skype chat protocol? I'd switch over to Skype if I could use Pidgin, but as it is, Skype only works with the official client."


I've been able to use Skype with other clients for ages. For example I use IMO.IM every day, which is a web interface for all my various accounts in the same place.


Senior Developer - CBS Interactive Music Group
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