Is it just me (Doug), or is Microsoft just a tad annoying in the way that they’re pushing Windows users over to the “app” version of Skype (that comes installed in Windows 10) rather than just letting us use Skype as a normal Desktop application? Honestly, whenever I’ve looked at the new Windows 10 Skype app, I’m lost. I think it’s confusing. The focus group (that Microsoft presumably used to advise them on this one) must have been on drugs or something. I know I sound like a guy that was in a routine — but honest, normally I don’t mind change. But pushing me to a new interface and constantly warning me with these nagging “this application will soon no longer be supported” messages… Sigh. What’s your take on the whole shift? Please be my support group and help me with this transition. : )
Speaking as a developer, asking “Why?” about anything Microsoft does at any level is not, has never been helpful. They have never been responsive to this kind of thing. (Google has become like that, too, by the way) The “focus group” that gave us the “ribbon” in MS-Office and tore away all the keyboard-navigable menus were on similar drugs. if you ask me. It’s time to go looking for another program, I think.
I would consider making the jump to Zoom. We at Beyond use Zoom exclusively rather than Skype. It’s fantastic, works in a low bandwidth situation, handles numerous people, and has a peer-to-peer security model. and there’s a free version for 40 minute phone calls.
I agree with Doug’s comments. It seems Skype is getting more confusing and harder to use. It is like if Microsoft wants to chase customers away. Skype has long bin my go-to software for virtual team meetings. But I am also considering switching to Zoom because it has been so good with one-to-one work.
Be of good courage. Change happens in the software world. If you are heavily invested in Skype in terms of contacts, how many of your contacts use Skype, the cost of calling phones in other countries and how you do your calling, then it’s worth it to keep working through the changes. I recently saw that I can’t easily list more than one phone number in a contact. But I can set up call in Skype conferences instead of me calling everyone separately. There will always be other options to try if one is so inclined. Otherwise, complain while rolling with changes and adapting. Then it will be fine until the next change comes. Blessings.
I concur with the comments above…
1) Microsoft: at this level, it’s generally pointless to ask why? It Just Is. On a larger level, Microsoft is mostly focused on the Enterprise environment, where they can charge big $$$$ to corporate customers, and the respect for end users is declining. The idea that Windows 10 (and for that matter, Office 365) embody is a services model, where they can take in ongoing revenue, rather than one-time buys. Plus, where the computer is little more than a terminal for consuming cloud-based services and content. Again with Windows 10, part of the push with the frequent upgrades (and short support windows) is that they want to make sure most users have all the latest features, as a way of encouraging developers to write for those features. That’s also part of the push to get rid of Windows 7, because that stuff isn’t available.
For what it’s worth, users of Pro versions of Windows 10 are also getting increasing disrespect from Microsoft. Pro doesn’t have quite all the features that Enterprise has, and as a result, Microsoft is losing interest in Pro users (e.g., individuals and small/medium businesses). I’ve seen commentary in the trade press that speculates that in a few years, Microsoft could drop Pro all together, forcing those users to choose between Home versions and Enterprise.
I’m not trying to be cynical, just describing what I’m observing with how Microsoft is conducting its business.
2) Skype: for some time, Microsoft has been pushing for the newer version, even beyond Windows 10. For some time, there’s been a version 7 “Skype Classic” for earlier versions of Windows. Microsoft had originally intended to phase it out by now, but following significant user push-back, they’ve decided to keep that going a little longer. But it’s still going to go away. I’ve pretty much quit using Skype, and on the rare occasions that I do use it, I’m finding the current layout to be unfamiliar and confusing. Although there are some user interface quirks, I really like what you can do with Zoom.
These days, the major reason that people use Skype is that “everybody is on Skype”, and that’s the closest thing to something resembling a standard. If you want to communicate that way, then it’s most likely that a person has a Skype ID. If you want to use something else, then you have to convince others to set up an account on your preferred platform. That’s feasible if you’re a part of a working group, or you don’t have very many contacts, but much more difficult if you have many contacts, and many don’t have relationship with each other. Ultimately, if you move to another platform, it’s a lot easier to do it as a group, where everybody is moving together. The one unique thing about Skype is SkypeIn and SkypeOut, which allows for connection to the public phone system. I haven’t seen other platforms that allow for that, and if you make much use of those connections, then you’re pretty much stuck with using Skype, at least for that.
That said, as with many things, there’s nothing that requires you to consolidate on one service, to the exclusion of others. There’s nothing that says that you can’t use multiple services simultaneously (and even have the clients open), and where you have access to each group of people that use that platform.
I too was confused by the email saying that my Skype was not up to date and that the Skype I was using would not be supported in the future. I am a missionary living overseas and rely heavily on Skype to make phone calls to USA phones to talk with medical facilities, my bank, my mother-in-law, supporters, etc. I also have a USA based Skype phone number that people can call us from their phones. Is there any other application out there, besides Skype that provides calling to and from phones? If not I will need to stick with Skype.
Skype is annoying on any platform. Every time they update the program, everything is restructured and moved around with new graphics. It’s especially jarring when you just need to make a quick phone call and everything has changed!
We happily switched over to Wire (https://wire.com/) which is more secure, private and looks nicer. They also have a Desktop-version for all platforms including Linux. And they respond to customer queries.
thanks for all your informed contributions people. I had a similar lament, and did not even know the cause until reading these comments, best of luck everyone adapting to the emerging future