Many readers have written to us complaining about the most recent Skype 3.1 upgrade. The Skype forums are overrun with a litany of complaints. Since we use Mac OS X, we are not quite sure what is going on, since the type of problem is different for each user. Many are looking to downgrade to an older version of Skype and those are available here. The big issue, when you think about it, the new features that are being crammed into the Skype client are beginning to look like middle age bloat.
I’m a heavy Skype for Windows user, but luckily haven’t had any issues with 3.1 crashing.
The one major complaint I had about Skype was its inconsistency in recognizing DTMF tones (dialing digits after the call is connected). I installed the 3.2 beta today and it is working much better now.
The 3.2 beta forum is here:
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showforum=135
I share your concern about the feature bloat that is creeping into Skype. I don’t need to use Paypal or play Backgammon when I’m on Skype. Give me a simple tool that provides reliable VOIP service and I’ll pay for it!
Hear Hear Jason,
“I share your concern about the feature bloat that is creeping into Skype. I don’t need to use Paypal or play Backgammon when I’m on Skype. Give me a simple tool that provides reliable VOIP service and I’ll pay for it!”
I’m all for that! Fix the bugs with the dial tones, but please leave out the guff.
Skype is way too FAT!
Indeed I really wish there was a slimmer faster version of it.
If they’re going for mass usage and appeal, they really need a version that’s lighter for people all over the world with old computers.
Think China, Bangladesh, India, and Brazil.
Many potential resource-starved skype users would like to use it for phone calls, but their systems can’t handle it too well.
They have Pentium-2 systems with XP on it. Yes, I’ve used it plenty, and it does work.
The link to the Skype forums points to a Windows topic, not something to do with Mac OS X. Likewise, your point to Skype for older versions blocked me, saying I did not have access.
My problem is DTMS tones not working, which seems to come and go with various versions.