You have got to be joking! Please tell me I am having a nightmare and that I will soon wake up...

I just installed Skype 4.0 beta and it started Full Screen!!! Wtf?!? Skype taking up my whole desktop? What on earth are you guys thinking, it seems that you are suffering from a huge superiority complex and you think that your users' world revolves around Skype.

Reality check: Skype is a (fantastic) communications tool and does a wonderful job in the background. It is my communications hub and I love the unparalleled sound and video quality. Skype is not supposed to take up my whole desktop, it should do it's work quietly in the background!

Hi Johan

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment – although if you feel strongly about the changes we’ve made please take a bit of time to give us your feedback in a structured way (the link is http://www.skype.com/go/betafeedback) – this will make it easier for us to understand everyone’s feelings overall and therefore to act on them.

Although the beta does start up in full screen, it is possible to resize the window, although not down to the size of Skype 3.8. This is because we’ve tried really hard to help people juggle lots of conversations all at once. It's now all in one window. Take a look at the Conversations button just above the Contact list. It's a list of all the conversations you've got going on. Just click between them to pick up a conversation right where you left off. You can also pop your conversations out into separate windows if you prefer having different windows for different conversations. Take a look at the top right corner next to (+ Add People) and that icon should help you out a bit.

We realise that some people will prefer to have a smaller contact list only window and we will be addressing this by the time 4.0 comes out of beta. We would, however, like you to encourage you to stick with the full window for a while so we can get feedback on this new style of working with Skype (we think most people will prefer it having got used to it – we certainly do).

Thanks again, and I assure you we will be making changes based on the feedback we receive.

I love the new offline messages/missed stuff options. Is this beta coming to Mac anytime soon or will this be a Windows only beta?

Just downloaded the new 4.0 Beta and have to say I love it! Not only is the interface very intuitive and user friendly, it's got the 'pretty' factor that people demand in their software nowadays. I've yet to make a test call but, from a visual perspective, I like it so far.

Thanks, Skype Dev Team, for making sure Skype stays on the forefront in internet based calling. Good job!

Anthony Papillion
OpenEMR HQ, Inc.
www.openemrhq.com

When will be available the Mac version of Skype 4 (beta)?

My first impressions of 4.0 are really positive. I don't see what the big deal about the window size is. After all, I usually have the video on full-screen mode anyway, and if I'm not on a call, the application is working in the background minimized. I actually like the new layout and extra space. Looking forward to a full release after the summer.

Great version! I'll wait for Mac version. Thank You for your job

Awesome !!! Thanks Skype, this is another big step forward. Especially getting rid of all those individual Windows is worth it as it bothered me the most in the past.

The new chat display is excellent. OK, you've got to get used to it but all the components are so clear now that it's so simple to follow long chats much more easily now.

Great Not much more I can say.

This could not be true. Skype for me is a communcation tool like my phone. I don't want to have a full-screen application for chats and videoconversations.
And the design you choosed is typical windows-UI: chaotic, complicate and ugly. Sorry. In the future I will not use Skype any more, if the Mac-Version looks like this beta. Till now I loved Skype for its easyness. A full screen application is not (!) easy to use.

I just checked this as well and I have to say I can't believe what I'm seeing. I always loved Skype for its richness of functionality without requiring so much desktop real estate but this new full size window look and layout is absolutely terrible bloat. I can't believe you managed to make IM/VOIP clients like WLM look slim and minimal! I'm really praying there's going to be a minimal/compact mode to somewhat mimic the look/layout of Skype 3, otherwise I don't see myself and my company upgrade to this. We have more important things to plaster our desktops with than this celestial contact list and chat windows with super thick frames and giant buttons.

I hope mac users can stay on version 2.7 if that will be the future of skype on the mac as well. Skype is nothing more than another instant messenger. If I want full screen video chat I can do that now with one click. More screen estate means less usability in that case. Having contacts and large images in a skype chat conversation is not useful at all.

PLEASE give me back the wonderful SMALL skype-window. I HATE apps which take up that much space. For me skype is a wonderfull communicationtool which sits in the background an does its job. NOONE need a fullscreen skype. We all have work to do and need the screenspace for other things.

Well, if you truly stick to the idea of a whole application I will only hae two choices: stiock with Skype 3 or deinstall it. Using a big application like the one you plan is out of the question. It's a pity, but I will survive using GoogleTalk. So, please think again.

I love to use Skype on my EeePC. It would not be tolerable to have this huge app on 800x480px.

Dude! You really f*cked it up!!
Why??

I loved the 3-prior versions per it simplicity, now it's pure bloatware!!
No, I can't believe..
Please roll back for the full release..

Bad, bad guys..

It would be great to have a smaller option for when you only want your contacts open.

Is there an option to list Outlook contacts as with 3.8? Only a few of my friends use Skype and most of the calls I make are to Outlook contacts, it was great just being able to select them from the list in Skype. If this is not going to be included then I may switch to another voip system as this will create more work when trying to make a call.

Thanks.

This is the first time I actually feel the need to provide feedback to Skype.

The majority of people I have talked to so far really, deeply despise the new Layout and I have to fully agree with them. I wonder what happened during the decision making process that resulted in this catastrophic makeover:

"Dude, multitasking is sooo 1990's ... let's make Skype really huge and clunky so our users will be forced to enjoy our great product exclusively without any distractions from other applications!"

"What an awesome idea, this way they simply have to use all our fantastic features, they won't have another choice."

I'm usually not someone who doesn't embrace UI-makeovers. I loved the new Ribbon interface introduced in Office 2007, I even found the Vista interface at least a step in the right direction ...

... but Skype 4.0 is simply messed up. It takes away all the comfort that we came to expect from instant communication software and adds ... nothing (well, oversized buttons to the Skype-Store).

I dare you: Put a poll somewhere on this website and ask the users what they think of the makeover, the result will be overwhelmingly negative.

If you decide to go ahead with this new design, at least give us options to minimize it to shrink it to just show the contact list and to always open new chats in a new window (basically: give us back the old behavior as an option!).

jens.grochtdreis makes a very good point, too. In the time where the public embraces UMPCs and products like the EeePC it is almost absurd to blow up Skype into proportions that make it completely unusable on those platforms.
Michael, you said that the new design was in the making for over two years, maybe you guys just didn't see this development coming. I hope it is not too late in the development to turn things around. Please, please reconsider this move.

Sorry, this is really ugly. I never used the Windows client and hope that your Mac guys don't go in the same direction.

I am used to have the compact contact list on the side of my important windows. I don't want Skype to get into my way until I need it or a call comes in.

When I do a video call I either have it at my preferred size anywhere on my screen to do something other beside or I switch to fullscreen. There shouldn't be any distracting elements around it.

An app like Skype should be really out of the way most of the time. For me it is a great communication tool, but I have to switch if this is Skype's future.

(Hoping for an Windows Apple iChat client.)

Dude I don`t even dare to install it! just look at this: Feature missing from 3.8:
Call quality feedback indicator
History
Call transfer
Speed dial
Send Money and so on

https://developer.skype.com/WindowsSkype/ReleaseNotes Is this only glitch for a moment becouse is beta or you don`t plan to turn back this option neither for final. If so I will never even try 4.0! What`s wrong with you?

The comments above are mostly negativ and I couldn't agree more. The beta version is like going back in time. Don't release it, keep the old one and continue to develop it, nothing else please.

Hi everyone – sorry I haven’t responded sooner – I’ve been in briefings all afternoon (I’m in the UK).

robcruzo and remytheriault - both the Mac & Linux teams at Skype are working closely with the Windows team and are monitoring feedback on this beta along with them. We’ll take what we learn and incorporate it future product releases, so if there are any features you like about for Skype 4.0 Beta 1 for Windows, please let us know and we will take it into consideration.

Realmacx, spinegrinder84, ericeggert, thegass, jens.grochtdreis, lardissone bentrop, d_frank and bestclothes - I can only re-iterate my comment to Johan - We realise that some people will prefer to have a smaller contact list only window and we will be addressing this by the time 4.0 comes out of beta. We would, however, like to encourage you to stick with the full window for a while so we can get feedback on this new style of working with Skype (we think most people will prefer it having got used to it - we certainly do). Or if you don’t like it the look of it, stick with 3.8 until the the final version of 4.0 is released - and I assure all of you that we are listening, although it would be great if you could leave feedback via http://www.skype.com/go/betafeedback - I assure you we will be making changes based on the feedback we receive.

mob_rich - as far as Outlook contacts go, you can import them now but not list them as with 3.8. If that feature is important to you, then stick with 3.8 until we release the final version of 4.0 when that feature will be available.

baki_princ - remember this is the first beta and we've still got a lot of work to do - this is not a final release version.

cajuntechie, acceinlondon, melania.amelia, jurgenhaas – thank you! You can rest assured that I’m now off to the pub to celebrate with the rest of the team

So people can juggle lots of calls at once? Do you really think that's how most people use Skype?

By the way: http://www.skype.com/go/betafeedback doesn't work.

Impatient people! This is a beta so let's all give criticisms but helpful ones. Skype is my sole long distance and is a good program.
I haven't used it enough for a complete opinion yet but can already see the interface needs tweaked and perhaps simplified. For one, put "shop" left of help in the top menu. Also give me a way to empty the center section...."call phones" or "directory" graphics will stay visible after clicking on one or the other. Is distracting. As far as the size, it is made for dual monitors (which I have) or design engineers with worn out eyes (which I am one). A mimimize button to take you down to the bare minimum, about the size of the previous versions, would stop the size complaints.

Hey d_frank - I've just tested the feedback link and it works for me.

@robingrant - I disabled the AdBlock plugin in Safari and now it works for me too.

Hey Mike,

thank you very much for your reply. Sadly, it worries me even more.

"We realise that some people will prefer to have a smaller contact list only window ..."

I still dare you: Do a poll! You will find that it isn't just "some people" it's the overwhelming majority.

"... and we will be addressing this by the time 4.0 comes out of beta."

Now this scares me a little bit. So the plan is to release a 4.0 FINAL build with a user interface makeover that is despised by the majority of testers? And this 'minor problem' might be addressed AFTER it comes out of beta? What#s the point of this early beta then?

"We would, however, like to encourage you to stick with the full window for a while so we can get feedback on this new style of working with Skype (we think most people will prefer it having got used to it - we certainly do)."

I'm sticking with it ... the current beta leaves me no choice anyways. But every time I use it, it just reminds me to vent in this blog. It's unpleasant and aggravating, not innovative or easier to use. I have two monitors, 1280x1024 each attached to this machine and Skype's new layout still leaves me with hardly any screen-space and causes me to unnecessarily switch between applications.
The new Layout might make it slightly easier for beginners that just want to chit-chat on Skype ... but it makes the user experience for everyone who actually does constructive work WHILE using Skype a living nightmare.

"although it would be great if you could leave you feedback via http://www.skype.com/go/betafeedback"

I personally prefer an at least bi-directional way of communication, like this blog or a forum thread. It's good to know that I'm not the only one feeling this strongly about the new Layout and that I'm actually in the majority with my opinion. And it's also nice to get replies to your feedback.

Well, well, some positive comments, quite a lot of negative comments.

I will NOT download it on my desktop or main laptop, because some features that are important for me (history, contact groups) are missing. I will however install it on my spare laptop.

Two comments: it is indeed a FIRST beta, and only people who love beta versions should use it. I do love to test, but only when i have time. And i use Skype every day for staying in touch with quite a lot of people.

Second comment, to Michael: you say "it would be great if you could leave you feedback via http://www.skype.com/go/betafeedback - I assure you we will be making changes based on the feedback we receive". OK, good, but you can't expect people to post twice, here and on other places. If you leave several communication channels open, Skype Staff should make the effort to analyse all these communications channels: Skype Forum, Skype Blog, Developer Zone, and now ... betafeedback. Why a new channel?????????

Here too, you are complicating things, too many communication channels for your Beta version.

Might be a good idea to break the product into two now. Create a core engine and separate user interfaces, or even better perhaps a modular architecture. The types of people using your product vary quite a bit.

You have gamers and people that just want the voice chat ability. You also have people that will probably like the new style with lots of control over what's going on.

There are already huge complaints on various reviews of the product that it is quite bloated. This latest direction is going to make things much worse for those people and you will certainly loose some of them to this.

I HATE the way the video window is "glued" to the main window. It's too bulky. I can't take the video window out from there, and I can't remove my own video.
I also want to reduce the size of the main window, takes too much space. Same with the video, somtimes I want to minimize it on the size, or sometimes larger.
Nice UI, but step back in terms of usability.

OK. Where's the Mac version?

Hello Mike,

I didn't download the beta. It's good to see that you are working hard on it, we have seen many many updates during the last year.

For the interface, you can do what you want, but please don't ever forger to let people choose their interface, do not force them to use one in particular. That is the main reason why I have quit Live messenger for Trillian. I don't want to quit Skype.

But I think you never planned to do that for the final version.

Thank you!

imho, a decent skype for Linux would be 1000 times better than a windows skype full of trinkets...

For the people who don't like the large window. You can break off any conversations into smaller windows if you want to have them next to your work windows and minimize the big window into the system tray.

I may be in the minority on this, but will 4.0 allow me to continue using my DLink DPH-50U? I use my home phone with this adapter most often. I'm sure D-Link would never update the drivers for 4.0, so I'm hoping either Skype will build in support for this or it will work with the current drivers and supporting software. For how long will 3.x continue to work after 4.0 is released? Without speed dials for this device, I can't test the beta.

I agree with the majority here. I will not use this beta if I have a full-screen app to contend with (I know, it's a first beta). I want to choose how to use my screen's real estate and will wait for a release that allows me to do so. Give us the smaller option before final release or you may have a mutiny! I want my video window movable and resizable so I can center it up top & beneath my camera while working with other applications, and I don't want to have to minimize or reduce the full screen window every time. I hope any small screen option doesn't force us to start up full screen, then click something with each startup. I prefer small windows that I can see on the side where I want, yet leave them open and sized to my liking.

I never do just one thing at a time on my computer, so if I can't have a video call with Skype and run another app in the foreground, it will no longer be useful. Can we do this with the beta, or is it planned to let us do this?

OK, I loaded it on my laptop. I don't know why people are saying this is a full screen application. It's not. The first time you run it you get a spash/welcome screen that is full screen, which you can disable, but that's it.

It IS horribly bloated, however. Takes too much of my space and I hate the pane on the right of the application, as well as the lack of a floating video window. Very bad and short-sighted design. I want to manage my calls in a smallish window, and I insist on separate video window option!

I like to see the changes. Every time skype update I'm looking for something new. Thank you for the changes.

This beta version is HORRIBLE.

I want to have 2 chat in 2 different parts of the window, so I can cut & paste from one to another without switching. I CAN'T DO IT.

I want to work with [Word|Excel|Solitaire] while having my LITTLE contact list on the side.

I don't want a full-screen app. I want a little app on the side of my screen, so I can Work while skype is active and not minimize.

I want to shrink the window size to the 3.8.X size. I don't want this USELESS RIGHT PANEL that is completely useless if I don't have an open chat.

Substantially: If you want to add new features like bandwith reduction or something like this, ok. But don't use this crappy new interface. It's horrible.
Substaintially #2: Don't make the "upgrade" compulsory when 4.x goes out of beta, otherwise I think a lot of customers will stop using skype and start using something more "small" on their screen.

you should enable to switch to old style version at least. Everyone love simple style, and IMHO old version is still very large on screen. Make something like a pager. I have ICQ panel visible all day (europe), so you sould push me to change it and use skype insted ICQ, now you are making exactly inverse thing - large screen app which will stay in tray whole day....

do more skins, do more styles, but not this...

Wow there are a lot of comments on here. The link skype provided above for feedback should read: http://www.skype.com/go/betafeedback

I always download the latest betas... however this one I'm going to miss. I think that the general feedback is that people don't want a full screen app. Skype is important, but the present GUI is so intelligent that it really doesn't require all this WHITE SPACE that appears to adorn the new version.

If you really want to have full screen then give the option for themes... I certainly want to stick to the old one.

Thanks, a faithful skype user.

A step too far.

I'll stay with 3.8 until they realsie that a full screen presentation is not what is called for.

I definitely agree with "colinman" - I'll go back to 3.8 again until this "waste-my-desktop-space" thing gets resolved.

I'm actually kinda shocked with what I saw... Not a step back, it's a leap back for Skype... Maybe this new interface is convenient for people who use Skype JUST for video or voice calls from time to time (families, rare groups of business users) but what I think you are missing is that the huge number of people using Skype nowdays are predominantly text chatting, not video or voice calling. I've always saw Skype as a chat client first and video and voice calls are just a nice addition which I use once a week or so. And the same goes for 99% of the people in my contact list.

I guess it makes sense to develop the next version of Skype to better serve the 5% of users who actually use the video and voice call features predominantly (and pay for it), but don't just dust off the other 95%...

That's not the direction I personally would like to see Skype heading to.

Work on the existing interface or give the people option to choose which one suits them more. Kinda like the new full-screen version of Winamp (which is horrible too).

Hi Mike

Just downloaded the new 4.0 BETA version. Certainly takes a bit of getting used to a full screen layout

I may suggest to have the contacts etc show on the right side and the rest of the larger portion show on the left? I always put my 3 versions on the far right of the screen to take up less than one quarter of my computer, as for me and my Skype Biz friends etc., we like voice and text messaging over Skype while being able to see and use most of our PC screens.

Very few people I chat to on Skype use Web Cams, although I have a HD Logitech 9000 pro model I personally do not use it much either. Maybe the full screen idea in this 4.0 version is a welcome for Web Cam Skype users, but an option to reduce the size back down to the 3 version idea would be better if we could have a choice.

Obviously, there are many new features in the 4.0 version not immediately noticeable to my eye, but I must spend some more time looking into it and hopefully see the final release soon.

Thanks Skype.

Regards,

Steve (New Zealand)
.

I forgot to mention.....

I also need Speed Dial for my Gateway access to my PC Skype.

Steve.

This isn't very comfortable to use on the ASUS EEEPC at all. The welcome screen is half cut off on the 800x480 display. Everything is cramped together.

I hate to see how small powerfull Skype transforms to the same ugly monster like MSN. Please leave it flexible and configurable as much as you can.

Ok, I gave the new UI a serious chance. I tried to get used to it, I tried to see some benefits to it ... but there are virtually none for me.
There is absolutely no redeeming quality to this makeover that would even remotely let me forget all the problems with it.
I'm going back to 3.8 and I will keep a watchful eye on the 4.0 development and an even more watchful eye on alternatives to Skype. At least the chances that Google would f*ck up their Google Talk interface like this are slim to none.

Well definately the new skype has its benefits. But as a whole i am not sure whether its better than the previous 3.8 version. I would rather say that the old interface type is more usefull and easy. Actually what i am wondering about is why you guys have decided to change the formula that made skype the most popular chat program out there. So as a conclusion go keep up good work but leave the user to determin which type of "skin" he would like to use.

Just count me in regarding NOT liking the full screen application, simple as that.

You guys could make it optional for people who want to have skype in fullscreen.

In the video call, I like just to have the two screens (me and the person with who I am video chating) and nothing else. So, I can work and have control on the two screens what we are doing/seeing, but at the same time does not have a problem to do my work on the monitor.

It would be nice to do it in this way? And maybe add transparency to the screens?

You keep saying that you've all been listening to the users very carefully. If that would have been the case than you would have provided a way to get rid of all the additional features. This way the size could have been reduced, instead of enlarged to fit even more into it, because most people don't need all the features. They use it just for what Skype does best: one-on-one video calls.

Extras don't work anymore after installing last beta 4...

Why not just give users an option to use the old smaller interface or the new bigger interface???

That way everyone can be happy

As for me Small or Big I like them both.

It just takes a little time to adjust to the bigger interface.

I like the new interface - I use Skype predominantly for calling family & friends and I think it makes the product much more accessible and easy to navigate.

Havent made a call yet but hopefully will make good use of the webcam.

When people use skype they are on their computers performing other tasks, having a new larger window interface will not help, it will get in the way of being productive.
I applaud the desire to use more video, personally I wish you could pop off the video screen(s) of callers re-sizable with zero borders, maybe a right click menu to align to right/left/top/bottom for those who think users will require organization. Of course have your own video image and label the names of the callers.
The drop and share zone is a great idea, which could be in a separate window or part of the conversation dialog window.
I noticed you introduced ongoing conversations, this is a very good idea, may I suggest a countdown timer which collapses the conversation after awhile, maybe the last message would be visible for awhile and d:hh:mm since last post in the header.
I'm a little confused with the multiple people call, it's a little strange having 3 or more friends showing up at my front door so it would be a little strange having 3 or more friends ring me up on skype and the all say hello at once, I think you should make it possible for people go out say hello to someone ask if they can join the conversation then bring them in.
I know you are probably tired of hearing this but making the process of sharing a view of a desktop simple would be great, or maybe just a simple one time snapshot picture of the desktop to the callers would be a great help. We are probably discussing what we are doing on our computers anyway.
Lastly, my employer, Siemens, forbids the use of Skype on corporate PC's you really should re-double your efforts to satisfy enterprise security concerns.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, don't do that. It is just a horrible idea you have there. I have open several windows of multiple applications while I am communicating with my friends, colleagues and clients. Skype chat windows have to sit neatly next to other IM windows and Words and Excel and zillion other application I have to use simultaneously. This whole idea of having a big rigid window just ruins the whole usability of Skype as a communicating tool. It is like a huge, monstrous telephone that takes the entire space on the desk. I understand that it would be a cool tool for a 14 year old girl who wants to show her new Barbie to her friends. But above that age it just ruins the whole concept of multitasking and productivity.

1. Skype 4.0 does restart from "%appdata%\skype" when I press the skype button. (I'm used to run skype with the parameters "/removable /datapath" in my USB flash disk. The old version works perfect.
2. The icon of offline and invisible looked like a same one. I can't know the online mode from the icon.(Does it offline or invisible?)

1. Skype 4.0 does restart from "%appdata%\skype" when I press the skype button. (I'm used to run skype with the parameters "/removable /datapath" in my USB flash disk). The old version works perfect.
2. The icon of offline and invisible looked like a same one. I can't know the online mode from the icon.(Does it offline or invisible?)

Please remove the signing in splash screen!!!

Sorry, do you send aditional monitor to everyone using skype 4, because it seems like i will need one more JUST for skype ?

I am using the 4.0 Beta 1 since some days. After showing this new version to some colleagues and some more discussions, we came to the following results remarks to the new version.

Please give us users a setting for activating "old behavior" of Skype.
I mean:
1. I really don't like exchanging instant messages in a huge window. Whenever I open a chat, I am undocking it into a separate window. I would like Skype to configure that new chats are undocked by default (like it has been in Skype 3.x)
2. Links on personal messages are no more clickable.
Many of my contacts put links in their personal messages (which are displayed right of the nickname). In Skype 3.x these links where clickable. Now they aren't anymore. This is annoying.
3. Give us a compact contact list!
Every messenger software I know, like MSN, ICQ, Miranda and so on offers users a small contact list, which is mainly functional. Already in Skype 3.x the main window used too much space, in Skype 4.0 Beta 1 the window uses many space more! Opening Skype for determing who else is online results now in a loss of avaible monitor space of other software.
Please enable us to deacitve the right empty space, when no contact is selected and also please enable us to hide the buttons under the contact list.

But there is also something good: When doing video conferences, the new window design is pretty good and very usable. For this case I must say: Good job and thank you.

I hope my suggestions are beared in you mind

I think its ok you keep going with innovation but first of all you should not to discount when Skypeout service does not work correctly or at least you should back the discounted money erroneously.
And also have a good costumer service.

I think its ok you keep going with innovation but first of all you should not to discount when Skypeout service does not work correctly or at least you should back the discounted money erroneously.
And also have a good costumer service.

Well, if your are going to use a program that uses so much real estate, at least you could integrate all the functionality of Acrobat Connect Now (screen sharing, 3 way video conversations, SAME VERSION FOR MAC & PC)... that is a truly usable piece of software!

I've been trying the 4beta for a couple of hours today. The user interface is really terrible. The previous version was simple and small, while this one is BIG, not easy to understand, less customizable, complicated to use.

Yes, the HD video festure is definitely a leap forward and audio quality is even better than before, but why can't you put these features into skype without messing the GUI up?

The new client is rather confusing. I want the bar to blink when someone types a response to me. And also can you enlarge our weemees to fit the bigger space now allotted to our photos? I like the new colors scheme though (green for active, orange for away)

I really don't like the new version. I cannot make it the size I want it to be, eg small, so that I can continue to work with it too the side. This Beta is far too big. I have also enjoyed SkypeMe mode which I can't now find. I have enjoyed having random conversations around the world. I have very few permanent contacts so this idea does not work for me. PLEASE

PLEASE RECONSIDER for now I have returned to the old version.

Hi everybody,I would like to second rodgerballard modular skype suggestion. Also, I would much appreciate a "light skype" version, one that will just do the basics, take just a little monitor space, memory and cpu? Such an optional version will be very considerate for the users.

The whole idea of improving the user's freedom, giving him more functions, better design and skype video quality is fine! But thinking of something big, and unfunctional like your Beta 4 is not so attractive. I think most of my friends are not going to switch to this NEW skype, being so different. Some people, I can say including me, may consider this Skype 4 is very difficult to use and also get used to, so switch to another internet video messenger. So skype is a light program which works on low-performance computers, have good functionality and design and my suggestion is only to improve these features the level you can, to add more options maybe, to give even more user's freedom, like letting him transform the interface or making a couple of skins for different tastes;) Reading the post you see lots of people don't like the big skreen... So good luck with your new Skype 4

Take a damn good IM client, upgrade it through 3 versions, then hire an idiot GUI designer to ruin everything and make it look like a prehistoric POS, and you get Skype 4.0 Beta.

As some people mentioned already, everybody and his dog is rolling out very small laptops.

It started with the ASUS eeePC and now MSI, Gigabyte, Dell, HP, Fuji and many non-names are preparing to flood the market with them.

This kind of "Netbook" didn't exist 2 years ago, when, as Mike Bartlett explains, the development of Skype 4 began.

But now, not only all people I know are buying these netbooks strictly as appliance to use a browser, Skype and Google Docs on, but this form factor has major industry backing from Intel through Ubuntu (Remix) through OLPC.

Listen Skype - "skyping" is what millions of people are buying these small and cheap(!!!) devices for. If they can't use Skype on them, they will have no choice but to use something else. That's a fact.

Sure, I understand, you probably have wider, yet unannounced plans that require this huge "dashboard" for desktop/full-size laptop. But then, you have no choice than to make 2 versions.

Look at how carefuly Google listens to people with eeePC and reflect on how the internet changed in those 2 years.
http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2008/06/google-docs-on-eee-pc.html

And...remember Vista! People won't ugrade, if you like what you've created but they don't. And unlike Microsoft, you don't have that much leverage to push them.

Yes, that may be the summary: "Remember Vista"...and keep this eeePC new-world in mind!

No history, not practical, not beautiful. Very large and confusing. I love you, skype guys, you deserve a lot, but this version is really below your capacities. Please, make us happy again!

No history, not practical, not beautiful. Very large and confusing. When someone sends an IM I can't see who was it, it doesnt pop anymore!!!

I love you, skype guys, you deserve a lot, but this version is really below your capacities. Please, make us happy again!

Posted twice, Im sorry. Im also back to the old version.

It's painfully obvious that Skype & Company have fallen victim to the same bug that struck AOL a couple years ago when it turned its Instant messaging program into bloatware. After that, everyone stopped using AOL's client software.

I freely admit that it *may* indeed be beneficial (to some users) to allow a full screeen video conferencing management interface. That said, I doubt many people talk to more than one person at a time so small still rules.

As Apple and Google continue to show, there is a benefit to a minimalist interface. We don't want to see your ads, other features, and pretty artwork. We want to see only those aspects of the application that we 100% need to see to accomplish what we need to do, at a specific time.

So if I'm in voice chatting, I should see an extremely small on-screen presence. If video chatting, I should, by default, have an extremely small on-screen presence, but feel free to offer a button to go into a "full screen" mode.

So Skype, don't blow it. I know your developers are subject to feature-creep... But it's time to hire someone to run your projects who knows less is more.

Version 4 introduces chat in the same window with video, as if, when having a video/audio call, one often wants to keep an eye on the keyboard. Oh, and it allows me easier control over multiple chats, as if in real life, one often talks with 10 people different things at the same time. Or as if Napoleon, with its famous distributed attention, will be the standard Skype user. Version 3.8 introduced bloat/advertisement for MySpace. Version 3 introduced unwanted browser extension, which one had to manually uninstall. Version 2.5 introduced SMS, though its price is too high for anyone to care about using it (never read a press release boasting about SMS). I think I'll just stick with v2.0, which still works. Do you know that the installer used to have 8 MB at the time? Two years and 30 MBs of bloat later, eBay found itself bringing money from home into what started so promising. If the captive phone numbers will ever become portable...

Did you keep the stupid login noise?

Skype 4.0 doesn't work with Skypecasts. Please, repair this...

For me, the absence of DTMF in Skypeout is a show stopper: I frequently access conference lines on other carriers (AT&T in particular), corporate voicemail, and vendor helplines with IVR.

I am impressed with how smooth the rollback to version 3.8 worked.

I look forward to trying version 4.1... as long as the release notes say you have enabled the DTMF features that work in version 3.8 now.

Worst skype ever. Why cant skype use smaller desktop space and if a call comes in allow automatic expansion ?

If you go down 4.0 sizing the following will happen for millions of people.

Real world options

1. Stop using skype from you and only use skype compatible prog.
2. stick with version 3.8
3. Use 3rd party skype skin

wake up !

Hi,

I've tried the new version. The UI is quite different.
I can't tell whether it is good or bad now.
I need more time to try.

But I've found something confusing in the new version.
I called some offices and auto machine answered.
I was required to dial the extension number but the number key doesn't work during the call.
No matter how hard I tried, the number I dialed can't reach the machine.
It doesn't happen in 3.8 version.
If I dial some numbers while calling in old version, I can hear the keyboard sound like real telephone and the machine will get the signal.

Can this be fixed?
Could anyone show me how to dial extension number in new version?

Thanks!

I downloaded it and it was CERTAINLY aweful!!

this is a step backward in time not an upgrade. Skype is a communication convienience program. Exactly like the convinient stores, must not take much space. I NEVER looked at skype becuase it is always working in my background. I am using skype for more than four years and using all it free and feed features. I totally beleive that the interface of 3.8 is the best ever. If you are going to add features, add them to 3.8 BUT NOT THE INTERFACE.

Skype is not an office program that it will take the whole space of my very busy desktop..

If you, skype, insist on upgrading to 4.0, please make another smaller version for us, the very busy people.

One more little note, many of the Skype users pay skype for services.. I would beleive that Skype must make a poll for the registred users those who are using their paid services and take a little more attention to thier opinion.

It is as if "we" elect the president because "we" pay the taxes. So, "we" are supposed to be asked for our opinions and to be taken because "we" pay "skype" "ALOT" of money for its paid services..

Is their anybody agreeing to what I am saying??

Now, unfortunately, I am going to uninstall the aweful 4.0 and reinstall the wonderful 3.8.

Sorry..

Thank you

Youssef

Oh. thanks God.. I went back to my lovely workable beautiful 3.8..

How about you guys?

I've tried version 4 and have gone back to 3.8 for now.
A major problem (probably my own) was that when in a video conversation with someone the IM window would be hidden, if i got any files i could not see the IM window to accept them, i looked around for a solution but found none. Another funny coincidence was that when i start my internet explorer a skype page would always load up first...i took this as typical American marketing gimmick...but maybe im wrong...

Al Gaivoto

I did not like the new "Presence" icon colours in the 4 BETA version.

The Presence colours of the Online, SkypeMe, Away, etc. and the Telephone Number symbol in the contact list was the one that caught my attention.

The Telephone Number icon in the contact list was better in the 3 version as a dark blue colour to distinctly highlight it differently from the Skype Contacts (non phone numbers).

Reading through many of the comments here in this blog, I agree about having a choice compact setting choice and have the 4 BETA version only able to expand if I choose to allow it to show me multiple chats and/or video chat/conferencing etc.

Very few to none of the Skype Users I chat to every day for the last four years use a Video Cam, although some have a cam as I do too. We seldom really use it and my business friends using Skype every day talkling to their clients do not want and do not really need the Web Cam for "ordinary" day to day voice chats. Only when they rarely need a Video Conference or Video Meeting would they use the web cam.

Yes, the version 4 BETA is not finished as mentioned. However, keeping the compact option available would be appreciated and useful to allow me and my Skype contacts to use the PC desktop while using Skype. Pushing the Video full screen idea could be forward thinking of communication in the near future, but we may not be quite ready or in need for that yet.

Full screen video on Skype may be great soon when more PC users have and use a Dual Monitor? Skype full screen on one monitor and my desktop on the other? I wonder if that would be the way to go? I do not know as I have never needed or used a dual PC monitor set up.

Steve (New Zealand)
.

People, this is not a full-page application. You can resize it to pretty much any size you want and the application remembers this when you restart it afterward. It can almost resize to the previous 3.8 size and Skype have already told you there will be the ability to size-down even more.

But it is true that even sized down, the design leaves much to be desired. There is too much empty space everywhere. The splash screen is pretty bad. The dial pad for Skype Out is difficult to find and the chat window was better in 3.8. The video functionality on the other hand is superb.

Lets see what beta 2 looks like.

I have now been using Skype 4 beta for some time to give it a chance. What a disaster it is. I use it mostly for chat, and mostly chat groups, private ones with a handful, and public with 100 members. It's no excuse that this is a beta, so give it time. Starting off so badly it's a huge step in backwards. I give it it minus -4 on a scale from 0 to 6 !!! Please throw it all aways and start the GUI design over again, evolving it from 3.8 !!!

I have now been using Skype 4 beta for some time to give it a chance. What a disaster it is. I use it mostly for chat, and mostly chat groups, private ones with a handful, and public with 100 members. It's no excuse that this is a beta, so give it time. Starting off so badly it's a huge step in backwards. I give it it minus -4 on a scale from 0 to 6 !!! Please throw it all aways and start the GUI design over again, evolving it from 3.8 !!!

I have now been using Skype 4 beta for some time to give it a chance. What a disaster it is. I use it mostly for chat, and mostly chat groups, private ones with a handful, and public with 100 members. It's no excuse that this is a beta, so give it time. Starting off so badly it's a huge step in backwards. I give it it minus -4 on a scale from 0 to 6 !!! Please throw it all aways and start the GUI design over again, evolving it from 3.8 !!!

I have now been using Skype 4 beta for some time to give it a chance. What a disaster it is. I use it mostly for chat, and mostly chat groups, private ones with a handful, and public with 100 members. It's no excuse that this is a beta, so give it time. Starting off so badly it's a huge step in backwards. I give it it minus -4 on a scale from 0 to 6 !!! Please throw it all aways and start the GUI design over again, evolving it from 3.8 !!!

I have now been using Skype 4 beta for some time to give it a chance. What a disaster it is. I use it mostly for chat, and mostly chat groups, private ones with a handful, and public with 100 members. It's no excuse that this is a beta, so give it time. Starting off so badly it's a huge step in backwards. I give it it minus -4 on a scale from 0 to 6 !!! Please throw it all aways and start the GUI design over again, evolving it from 3.8 !!!

I have now been using Skype 4 beta for some time to give it a chance. What a disaster it is. I use it mostly for chat, and mostly chat groups, private ones with a handful, and public with 100 members. It's no excuse that this is a beta, so give it time. Starting off so badly it's a huge step in backwards. I give it it minus -4 on a scale from 0 to 6 !!! Please throw it all aways and start the GUI design over again, evolving it from 3.8 !!!

skype out contacts to put separately under CALL PHONES TAB so that they won't be mixed with skype contacts, different icon colours for skype out contacts (let's say blue or orange), contact groups are missing, nicer font, in my opinion there is no need for my name to big that giant, conversation button to rename back to HISTORY button, and make it bigger, if you have missed chats or calls... it would remain flashing orange, or make some other more intuitive icon for missed events (i think that flag was good before), or each contact in history would be flashing as well (instead of taskbar), application window should be resizable and/or changeable flexibly (to be able to detach...), when making video call you can resize your own video as well but on my 22inch screen it is still small, when having contact on screen - all its details & mood message should be together so that when I click on contact I can see everything about him (remove those 3 tabs - location, telephone numbers, information)

skype out contacts to put separately under CALL PHONES TAB so that they won't be mixed with skype contacts, different icon colours for skype out contacts (let's say blue or orange), contact groups are missing, nicer font, in my opinion there is no need for my name to big that giant, conversation button to rename back to HISTORY button, and make it bigger, if you have missed chats or calls... it would remain flashing orange, or make some other more intuitive icon for missed events (i think that flag was good before), or each contact in history would be flashing as well (instead of taskbar), application window should be resizable and/or changeable flexibly (to be able to detach...), when making video call you can resize your own video as well but on my 22inch screen it is still small, when having contact on screen - all its details & mood message should be together so that when I click on contact I can see everything about him (remove those 3 tabs - location, telephone numbers, information)

I have to agree with the other comments: What an incredibly bad idea.

Skype 3 already gives me a headache because it uses so much space and there is no way to change this.

I have a lot of contacts and I'd like to have small windows so they don't take up my precious desktop space (and I am on a 1600x1200 resolution!) Look at Trillian Pro's user interface: elegant, simple, and most important: it uses very little extra space.

Why don't you guys finally give Skype a "skinning" feature or at least the option to change from a normal UI to a "small" and a "big" one? The "compact" design in Skype 3 is a joke. These super large dial and hang up buttons for example or the fact that the Skype and chat windows cannot be resized to a smaller size than about 500 x 500 pixels.

Different users have different needs. I understand that for beginners a large UI with big buttons is easier to understand but there are also people who have Skype on their working machines. Instead of bloating up the UI you should finally start thinking about usability for all kinds of users.

SCALE DOWN!

hi, exactly how long, does it take for Skype to be able to recognize my cancel request for my subscription? I just sent in my cancel request _over 6 days ago_ - and was told that

"Because the majority of requests require research to resolve, it can sometimes take us up to 48 hours to respond, though we make every effort to get back to you as quickly as possible and most queries are answered within 24 hours."

Well, it's waay past 6 days already - what are you guys doing? Is this how you make money? By refusing to honor "immedicate cancel and refund" requests, and penalizing your users for another month instead?

Where is the Event History? I need to see some files that I have sent to my friends. I can see that in the Chat History there is a log that says that I have sent a file but I need to search A file that I sent to two/three/four... friends and I need to search it by name. Where is that in Skype 4.0?

I saw the demo videos and thought those where additional views but they replaced them completely!

I use Skype daily for hours to communicate simultaneously with different (groups) of people. This is impossible to do with Skype 4! How can I have a minimalistic skype window open and be busy in my MAIN application window?

How do I know which group/person typed something to me? As this is very obvious in version 3.* because the task manager was blinking the window that had activity.

How can I see which persons are online all the time without occupying not more then 5% of my desktop?

I will uninstall it immediately because Skype MUST NOT be intrusive in my day to day activity.

Some tips:
* Make the Skype contact list and conversation windows even more smaller then they are.
* Make the contact list dockable on a side of the desktop.
* Make it dockable on the top/bottom in a tickertape like view where recent activities are left or right most.
* Make a bare video window that is
** always on top
** can be placed ANYWHERE
** can have any size
** can be transparent
** supports click through so buttons and stuff beneath the window can still be accessed OR slides a side when the mouse becomes near.

I want to be able to chat with typing and have big video window. not just this small S#!+.

Where the F@$& is the "Not available" state ?

What have you done people on Skype ?
and finaly.. I want the chat area to look like Skype and not like a cheap IRC s#!+.

AND Where is the "History" ??

Hi, missing access to the outlook numbers is bonkers as is the lack of activity history. What are you guys thinking? I am moving back to 3.8.

Well the general consensus reading most messages here is that Skype 4.0 have really failed to capture our imagination with a disproportionately large, crowded bloated interface.

Did you do any usability testing before releasing the beta? Considering how well structured version 3.0 this looks like an appalling effort. One of the key strengths of Skype has been the excellent interface that "blended in" with the desktop - the verison 4.0 interface dominates the desktop.

I have re-installed 3.8 and hope that you listen to your users and either give us the option to have a version 3 "skin" or look or even better abandon this ill thought effort and go back to the drawing board.

Skype 4.0 does not work with my Cordless Dual Phone. I came back to version 3.8.

TERRIBLE, MISERABLE OVERDESIGNED BLOATWARE. I installed and played for 2 hours. I couldnt event tell when people were chatting to me..no visible notification. No doubt that will be fixed but pleeeeeeeeeease. This STINKS of microsoft bloatware UI design, so 1990's. Small, clean, unobtrusive, fast is what users want. Less is more. Skype is already a phenom, dont mess it up by listening to bored engineers. NOT ONE POSITIVE COMMENT. TIME TO LISTEN.