Why the new installer has only 3MB and its a net-installer? I install skype often on new build PCs and it's certainly not good if i have every time on every install to download 20MB from the Internet. The old complete standalone installer was for me a much better choice.

What about Linux?? It would be great, if I could use fullscreen option in Linux.

@robert_niestroj: you can download the full installer here: http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-full

Mike, mine is 3.8.0.188, and when I ask him to check for updates, it just tells me: "everything's ok, you have the latest one". IS this a bug?

Skype might be a wonderful service which i truly believe it is but its the most horrible CS i have ever seen. My account got blocked on 18th Jan and its been 17 days its blocked. I regret the day i bought it. Even after 2 emails of unrestriction of account, i can't make calls even when i have credit. I wasted my money. Moderators on forums are literally deaf. they do nothing except pasting stupid Skype Locator numbers. What an Awful service for a wonderful technology

Was the Skype Me mode removed?

First off, I'm not the official support. I just got this name because it was still free.

@hkabla: The automatic upgrading is not activated yet, otherwise the download servers would probably implode from the high demand. This usually is changed after the first wave of downloads that follows every new major version announcement.

@minhaaj.rehman: Skype's CS is usually trying all they can to make the users happy. I contacted some people to look into the matter and hopefully you should not be blocked anymore.

@j.carlos26: Yes, it was.

So what about mac and linux versions?

currently mac beta is 2.8 and linux beta is 2.?

Thats quite a gap between the versions...

I love skype, but when I updated to the 4.0 I was very disappointed. Interface is terrible. The old one is very intuitive, the 4.0 is not. It is difficult to see who is pinging me and to carry on multiple conversation at a time. Worst is that it shows all my contact as offline, when I know they are online. I can't even make call to their landline (I have both SkypeIn and SkypeOut). Yes, I installed it successful and reset PC, etc. I am going back to 3.8.0.139 and stay there as long as I can. Yes, the 3.8.0.139 works fine right after installation is completed and I get all my contact back online. I would not be too hurry to move to 4.0 just to add text msg.

[quote]The old one is very intuitive, the 4.0 is not. It is difficult to see who is pinging me and to carry on multiple conversation at a time.[/quote]

That's strange: skype 4.0 purpose is to become more intuitive and easier, and i think they managed to reach this point. I think that with this version it's easier to organize multiple chats because you can have them in a single window, and there is not a new tray icon at every new chat

It seems in 4.0 if you have an Outlook contact with the same name as a Skype contact, the Outlook contact isn't shown any more ?? This is a frustration!

Also, with the new UI, there is an extra click needed to call alternate numbers for an Outlook contact - before, you could select the contact and it showed all the tel#s (work, mobile, home) and you could click on one. Now you have to click on the tab and then click dial.

Finally, to just type in a tel# and dial requires an extra click - I would often cut/paste a tel# into Skype, and when I pressed enter it would dial - now I have to click dial after pressing enter.

Bluetooth audio connection in Skype 4.0 Failed, gone back to 3.8, no problems with this version.

4.0.0.206. You folks are just the best.XP pro no problemo. And I really like the layout. the Dialer is perfect for a touch screen. I dont normally write thank you's. But then again Newer Versions are seldom so refreshing. Its been great to see Skype grow over the years. Now you folks are really up there cuttin the wave. Thanks again. JB

Two initial negative observations:
(1) Why are the phone contacts GREEN? This makes it much harder to differentiate between my online contacts and phone contacts. Please change this back or make it customizable.
(2) I have a lot of user groups, and changing between them is less comfortable than before. There is only a small arrow button I can click on, and the popup appears at several positions, not always at the same position as under 3.x. This should be tuned to allow the same level of usability we had before.
But (1) is certainly the worst of those two. Thank you!

I download the new one. Everything lookéd good but my mycrophonen did not work. so I went back to the old. Can it hav somehting with my new windows 7?
I went back tom my old skype and my microphone worked good

I'm okay with this new release. I didn't like it at first but I tried the video and made a call or two to some people as was very please with the improvements in those features.

I don't like the look of the 4.0 version, its too plain and not enough customization for the user anymore as with the previous 3.8 version.

I'm considering downgrading back to 3.8 just because its more user-friendly when it comes to the terms of customizing and making it "all your own"

I enjoy the new version for the call quality and video quality, I admit the changes do show.

But until I see actual NEW features (which I have not found any in this release other than sound and video quality and compact or expanded view) I don't feel I will use Skype 4.0 but rather use the 3.8 version.

Which I'm pleased that Skype hasn't done away with the 3.8 version as I like that version a lot more for its creative design and intuitive interface.

I'm okay with this new release. I didn't like it at first but I tried the video and made a call or two to some people as was very please with the improvements in those features.

I don't like the look of the 4.0 version, its too plain and not enough customization for the user anymore as with the previous 3.8 version.

I'm considering downgrading back to 3.8 just because its more user-friendly when it comes to the terms of customizing and making it "all your own"

I enjoy the new version for the call quality and video quality, I admit the changes do show.

But until I see actual NEW features (which I have not found any in this release other than sound and video quality and compact or expanded view) I don't feel I will use Skype 4.0 but rather use the 3.8 version.

Which I'm pleased that Skype hasn't done away with the 3.8 version as I like that version a lot more for its creative design and intuitive interface.

Hi Mike,
in this new version it's not possibile to write/read a title of the conversation using the command /title.
Is this a bug?

I installed Skype 4 in my three pcs yesterday night and every time I closed the programm my pcs (XP Home and XP MediaCenter) has a crash. How can it be solved?

I prefer the 3.8 version for the following reasons, explained by other users:

the phone contacts are GREEN and this makes it much harder to differentiate between my online contacts and phone contacts.

4 is less user friendly than 3.8

Whit I agree that Skype should be the greatest thing since sliced bread. I must agree with minhaaj.rehman (post 4th Feb) that their CUSTOMER SERVICE (for the want of a better name) MUST be the worst in the world.

For a company that say "LETS TALK" they seem to be extremely well camouflaged, hidden behind a 'contact us page' that SCREAMS (dont contact us), with its less than adequate search facility and poorly designed topic drop down list

Come on skype (ebay) have some common decency to permit people (your customers) to contact you when they have a problem, without the need for HOURS of work trying to use the web site for communication.

Skype 4 is missing many important features that were previously present in version 3.8:

- Accessibility (keyboard nav & screen readers) - This is supposedly "coming soon"
- Call transfer
- Auto redial
- Sending contacts
- Send Money
- Skypecasts
- Partner alerts (eBay, Paypal, 411)
- Speed dial
- SkypeMe Mode
- Birthday reminders

Source:
http://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA2611/Are-there-any-features-that-used-to-be-in-Skype-that-aren-t-any-more

I don't understand why the Skype 4 product has been allowed to go live with such a restricted feature set. Skype Beta testers told the company many times about these missing features but the issues haven't been resolved...

i had lots of problems with this new 4.0 skype..it crashed my pc an sum crazy stuff happened..two of my friends downloaded the 4.0 skype an they also had problems..so i have gone back to the 3.8 skype..had no problems with that

I'm really disappointed with Skype 4.0. User interface is less intuitive then previous version 3.8, contacts can't be organized in groups, I miss IRC style IM design, buttons for commercial Skype features can't be hidden and take space on screen, status icons are downgraded compared to prev. version. And this is what I found in just 15 min of usage, right before I rolled back to 3.8 version.
I really don't intend to give this another try and I feel like Skype has been redesigned by amateurs just for the purpose of declaring a higher version number.

Love the new single window interface. Kudos.

Where can i post suggestions?

I would like to see a skype allow to record the calls.

How to bring the old interface back !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want use only thiny interface !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don`t like have a contact list on left side !!!!!!!!

I have payd for old interface and do not wish to pay for absolutly different another one !!!!! If no option to swith to old style, bring my balanse money back !!!! A lot of competitive programs !

using Skype 4.0.0.206 following comments appeared:
- it would be nice to have possibility to switch between "old" and new interfaces
- in new interface, when compact mode selected, status of user you chatting with not shown in chat window title, it shows only user name, so if window is minimized you need to open it, just to figure out if your contact online or not for example

Hi I installed the new version of Skype yesterday on my two PC's.
I lost the sound on both of them, but was able to get it back on the PC with XP installed. On my PC with Vista Home Premium from HP, with internal Loud speakers and microphone there was no way i could get the sound back. I tried to use a headset, but still no sound. So in the end i went back to the old version, on both PC's and everything is OK. To bad!!!!!!

I absolutely HATE the new interface. The entire color scheme is problematic. The bright yellow "away" signs make it hard to read the names next to them.

The text on the chats is now impossibly small for me to read. (That is a showstopper right there).

It is bulky.

Uninstalled immediately. The Vista of the IM world.

In the new version 4.0, there`s NO SOUND at all!! It`s not from my drivers, i checked it. This problem is not only by me, also by all my frends.

Was the "Skype Me" mode removed?

Hi,

Well, in this version i miss the wallpapers, i can't choose a color to front-end, i did have like wallpaper my company's logo y now i can't. And about the history, i can't remove some conversations , in a older version i do it.

Can i hope wallpapers in later version?

Thanks

Jossie

Hi,

Well, in this version i miss the wallpapers, i can't choose a color to front-end, i did have like wallpaper my company's logo and now i can't. And about the history, i can't remove some conversations , in a older version i do it.

Can i hope wallpapers in later version?

Thanks

Jossie

What about the Linux version ??? 2.0 ???

After the upgrade to 4.0.0.206, my SkypeMate (USB audio device to analog telephone interface) no longer works. I can no longer make or receive phone calls using my regular phone through Skype. I used to be able to dial a phone number and press # on my phone and SkypeMate would cause Skype to dial the number - This no longer works. Inbound calls do not answer anymore either.

Hey Skype technical support: How can we roll back to the previous version until you fix this problem? Are you able to fix this problem?

Note to SkypeMate users: DO NOT UPGRADE to Skype 4.0.0.206 unless you are ready to turn your SkypeMate interface into a useless paperweight!

- John

After the upgrade to 4.0.0.206, my SkypeMate (USB audio device to analog telephone interface) no longer works. I can no longer make or receive phone calls using my regular phone through Skype. I used to be able to dial a phone number and press # on my phone and SkypeMate would cause Skype to dial the number - This no longer works. Inbound calls do not answer anymore either.

Hey Skype technical support: How can we roll back to the previous version until you fix this problem? Are you able to fix this problem?

Note to SkypeMate users: DO NOT UPGRADE to Skype 4.0.0.206 unless you are ready to turn your SkypeMate interface into a useless paperweight!

- John

The new Skype 4,0 is terrible , I liked previous version so much , i want my old version back !!!!!!! Do something

Skype 4.0 should certainly participate in the worst software redesign conquest.
At first glance the prominent chance is the ugly, non-standard UI instead of the stylish vista UI. The worst of the new version, is its usability. We were used since the first versions to start conversations with one click on the green call button, which has now disappeared. Instead, users are required to open a new window and search on it the new call button. I don't know how adding additional 2 or 3 mouse clicks can be considered "improved UI".
In addition, there is no indication about the completion of file transfer.
Above all, the sound quality was the poorest I ever encountered on Skype, a lot of background white noise.
I moved back to version 3.8 and I don't intend to come give version 4.0 any more chances in the near future.

I too am very displeased with version 4.0. My main issues are:

-transfer was removed, but works in 3.8
-new interface horribly un-intuitive. if people love the old 3.8 layout, why not incorporate it into 4.0

Now here's a good thing. The toolbar for Firefox is available with 4.0, but I can't seem to see how to get it for 3.8. Does anyone know how I cn get the Firefox toolbar for 3.8.

I too am very displeased with version 4.0. My main issues are:

-transfer was removed, but works in 3.8
-new interface horribly un-intuitive. if people love the old 3.8 layout, why not incorporate it into 4.0

Now here's a good thing. The toolbar for Firefox is available with 4.0, but I can't seem to see how to get it for 3.8. Does anyone know how I cn get the Firefox toolbar for 3.8.

Worst ever. I used 3.8 and loved it. Saw a feature on CNBC so I downloaded it and NO mic. Nothing. So frustrating and annoying. Back to 3.8 and its great. Way to reinvent the wheel! Idiots.

CAUTION: Don't update to 4.0 if you use USB audio unless you have an older installer on the machine.

Have to agree with the prior posts. 4.0 was a big disappointment. Wonder what the test spec looked like?? (Oh, what test spec!)

The bad news:
On the two audio tests, there was a loud beeping sound simultaneous with the audio. Upon disconnect, 4.0 locked up the computer tighter than a drum with USB audio adapter connected.

Removing 4.0 and rolling back to 3.6 restored operation.

The good news: I don't have a lot of money in my account!

As a technical note -- when I updated to 3.8..188 Skype operation was occasionally erratic -- ver. 3.6 is "golden."

pmhjr2

It's incredible to see people like "leon.leon" above. Do you know what the word "intuitive" means? Probably not, based on what you wrote. And you say that the sound is horrible. Just the opposite of what most people are saying about the new version audio (even those that didn't like the new version). Probably it's your computer.
That's the problem about users. Most of them like to complain, but almost none know the hard work that is employed to build a new version of a software.
YES, the interface is MUCH MORE intuitive. PERIOD!! We may not be used to it yet, but that's our problem. It still is more intuitive.

About this comment:
"I don't intend to come give version 4.0 any more chances in the near future."
That's a childish behavior. It seems to me you never really wanted to upgrade to version 4.0 and now you're just finding some excuses to continue using 3.8.

Sorry if I were a bit rude, but I think someone had to say it.
Bye!

I like Skype 4. There are many good improvments.

There is one thing I don't like at all:
Now the SkypeOut contacts a green as the Skype contacts and this can bring confusion to people, mainly to old ones or to people that is not very good in computer managing.
In this way people can start paying calls by mistake.

Dear Skype, this is not fair!
Are you trying to make easy money?

Installed Skype 4.0
Quality - didn't see difference with previous version.
But the interface design is terrible. I think Skype is a great company, has great technology. But definitely should fire the guy who designed the appearance of version 4.0. Previous version was much more convenient to use. I will go back to Skype 3.8.

I'm loving use Skype at office and home with Windows & MacOS.
Using chat as same as calling.
4.0's UI of chat is very unusefull to see name of senders.
4.0 does not have some functions as missing 3.8 as "join public chat" & "SkypeMe" & "bookmark a chat" etc...
Skype only annouced "Feature missing from 3.8" at first beta version of 4.0.
It was not "removed".
You release the 4.0 Gold version and missing some function, I think many users who think "How Skype think & Plan further servises?".
It is big gap of functions between 4.0 and MacOS2.7/2.8b that still have "SkypeME" & "Public chat".
I would like you clearly official announcement about further services.
e.g.)
Missing features will be back in next version of 4.0 or removed and never back. And other platform's Skype will be to be removed as same as 4.0 in further version.

About the new Skype UI--windows users typically have icons on the *left* side of the desktop, and IM programs opened or docked and/or above all other windows on the *right*. It's like a desk--the middle is your active workspace, and all desk accessories go around the edges.

With the new Skype UI, as soon as you start a conversation, this opens the chat/video window to the *right* of the contact list, which makes no sense in the default windows desktop environment. If I'm in a conversation (especially video), the conversation should open closer to the middle of my screen by default, not open on the far right and push the contact list to the center, that's just clunky. Please at least include an option for chat/video windows to open to the left of the contact list.

Another thing I think was better in the old interface was the ability to click on a contact and expand a mini-profile *within* the contact list, now you HAVE to open a conversation window for that, even if you don't intend on starting one.

I notice an improvement with audio and video quality with Skype 4.0 but like the old interface better, why did you completely get rid of it instead of at least keep it as an option?

Worst interface ever created for Skype and i've been using it ever since the 1st beta. Please dump this garbage and go back to ver 3.8 layout and just add the new audio and video codex's to it. Then restart your thinking of what users want.

Skype 4.0 has an extreme ugly layout. And I can't even choose any background colour or wallpaper to make it look more attractive, because there is no option to change background any more!!! And you can't even deactivate options you don't need. The interface is stuffed with useless buttons!

Additionally, I have to say that Skype 3.8 was easy to use. Version 4 is totally complicated. And if you look at the details of a contact you see all that stuff you're not interested in like old chat messages and profile details.

I don't know how people got the idea we would like that new version, but I can say this version is absolute garbage. I'm going back to version 3.8.

I have a big problem with the new 4.0 skype. Whene my skype is open my game's wont open. And if i close skype completely everything works fine.

I work remotely and use skype all day, mostly for chat, only occasionally voice+video. These all apply to the compact mode, the full mode is _no_ use for full time background use of skype, I don't want to waste a whole monitor on skype. This has all been chewed over before, but having two modes is a kludge - concentrate on making one usable. (Hint: putting everything in a single window isn't usable).

- URLs don't get autolinked in chats
- in a group chat the massive bright green "Call Group" button is *way* too prominent, it's the most eye catching thing on my whole desktop. And I never (ever) use it. And to the right is some (i) icon about call quality? huh? in a chat window? delete this whole bar and save the space.
- chat window positions aren't restored correctly when opened from history (opens on wrong monitor for me)
- the 'edited' icon in chat history takes up room even when it's not displayed, which is most of the time. The time display also wastes a lot of space on the right hand side.

The new group chat member list isn't very good:

- I used to be able to see at a glance the status of all the members of a group chat (sorry group "IM" now I guess), even with ~12 people. Now this isn't possible without tedious scrolling because each member in the list takes up waay too much space.
- Why is the chat title repeated *again* when displaying the members in a group chat? It's displayed *twice* immediately above (once where I can edit it, once in the window title), so this makes it the third time its displayed in within the same inch of screen.
- Why can't I hide a conversation picture for a group chat? Although I have some long term group conversations, most are ad hoc and won't have a picture so it's useless.

>Why can't I hide a conversation picture for a group chat?

Ok, I've found how to get rid of this. Turning it off makes it even more obvious how poorly the member list uses space.

- Pale blue text on white background for user in chat history is hard on the eyes.

After upgrading to Skype 4.0.0.206, my cordless DualPhone suite V2.32 & cordless DualPhone handset/baseV0151 no longer function. I then re-install Skype V3.8.0.188 that cures the problem. Are these Skype phones no longer supported? Or is there a fix for this problem? My system consists of three of these phones plus base unit so the replacement cost would be excessive.

I was excited to download this, but I have to say, I absolutely hate it. It's completely counterproductive. It's impossible to keep multiple conversations going like you used to be able to.

How do I go back to the old version?

I upgraded to 4.0 and it is somehow the Hell. Contacts are shown offline, even if they self are online. You try to call someone shown as online, 4 times out of 5 it fails. During the try to call, Skype changes the user to offline status. Half a minute later he is shown as online again. Suddenly the call works. What happened? The Userinterface is somehow crap, I have the same opinion as the others. First of all, I changed directly to compact mode, but all contact in green, Icons changed, crazy.
Additional my first impression is: It is using more CPU. I am using it on my Notebook (IBM Thinkpad T41 with Pentium M 1.4 GHz), during videocalls it takes now 100% CPU.

well i've downloaded new version today...cause i have in another pc old version 3.8! and everything worked perfect! but there was missing "skype me" mode!!! And i can not live without it..sometimes...
So im very sorry but i will return to old version! and i hope that problems with skype 4.0 will be solved in nearly future!!

well i've downloaded new version today...cause i have in another pc old version 3.8! and everything worked perfect! but there was missing "skype me" mode!!! And i can not live without it..sometimes...
So im very sorry but i will return to old version! and i hope that problems with skype 4.0 will be solved in nearly future!!

Firstly I have to say that I love skype, but when I updated to the 4.0 I was very disappointed. I just find the user interface so backward. The old one is very intuitive, the 4.0 is not.

It is difficult to see who is ringing me and now I find it hard to carry on multiple conversation at a time. The other thing is in the past you just need to click on the person name and you could see what time it was with them just under there name.
This is handy if for people that is calling all over the world. But now you have to click on the person to open the a side part then to look at what time. I am sorry but sometimes new is not best and this is one of them. It would be good if you could have old or new GUI.

I am sorry I am going back to 3.8.0.139.

4.0 sucks.
First, it takes forever to startup.
Second, it takes even longer to make a call or send an IM.

What the hell happened?

It went from being the worlds best communication tool to being the lackluster Oprah tool for housewives.

Somebody fix this shit immediately!

There was once a pleasure to using Skype™, but then you went and closed Skypecasts for Oprah, and now this shit! Are you trying to kill it completely?

You're doing a great job of destroying it like you did eBay.

For fucksake put it back together again before it's way too late.

-Scoops!™

This new version is disgraceful.
Some of the minor flaws i've noticed is:

-Time Stamps no longer show Seconds. Only minutes. So when im having a large conference chat, its hard to tell when exactly people are talking. It might not be an issue for everyone, but for me it is.
-I've always used the Chat Title as a bulletin board. My friends would always post new links to certain sites, links to their latest artwork etc. Unfortunately, the links in the chat titles are no longer clickable and now i have to Copy + Paste the links manually.
-Contact list in the chat shows everyone now in alphabetical order in a list that takes up way too much space and requires me to enlarge my window tremendously to view all my friends in the chat. I liked it better with the online folks showing up at the top of the list too.

The interface just plain sucks. The chat screens have lots of filler cluttering up the size of the chat window. There's all this unnecessary white space on the sides and the actual conversation itself has been reduced in size significantly.

The only new feature that i actually noticed and liked was the ability to get notifications for when people come offline, something small that the previous version couldn't do somehow.

Bottom line, Skype 4.0 is a joke. What were these guys thinking?

Not for Mac? Too bad! We Mac Users are creative and edgy people! Well, from reading the comments, I guess I'm not missing much. Don't forget: there are Mac Users out there, President Obama, for example.

I used to realy like the old interface because it was simple, it worked and was reasonably fast.

The new Telly Tubbies meets RealPlayer (another product which got overloaded with unnecessary clutter and people then stopped using) interface gives me the feeling that this was designed for little kids. A lot of people used to like skype because it followed the KISS principle. If I wanted unnecessary visual effects I would use one of the other messenger services like yahoo messenger or MSN with their own clients.

The decision is becoming difficult now, use Skype with an interface that I really don't like, use an older version which doesn't have the voice quality improvements of newer versions or change to a different system.

Even Microsoft realised that a lot of people liked "simple" and therefor still have a "Windows classic" theme. Can we get the same for Skype please?

Bottom line, see how much positive feedback there has been and how much negative and then make your own judgement whether you are heading in the right direction.

Can anyone tell me how with skype four the dialing pad can be utilized once a call has been made e g Press one for English. How do I do that
Chasdan

Please bring back the SkypeMe function. Its very useful to know who is in the mood to receive text messages or calls, and who wants to be left alone. But otherwise v4 is ok.

sepz001 : without SkypeMe mode I couldn't meet new friends ... it's really cool to know other people who want to chat and meet new friends..I don't know why is was removed since people are not obliged to set in skypeme mode...

anyway the new version is okay

This is a great new version with good features, BUT...

I still don't understand why they are restricting the reading area to a fixed number of characters per line.

we use to use skype to pass large amounts of text because I knew that the other person was going to be able to maximize the window and see the whole thing expanded.... but now, even when you maximize your chat window the reading area remains the same. It is starting to feel as limited as MSN, and that my friends is just not good ! Is there any way to address this post as a real change request??

Why wasn't call transfer implemented?

I personaly think the new interface sucks. Why did you change it? And if you mean you had to, why there is no option to have it like one was used to for years.

In 3.8 one could for example send SMS using Ctrl+Enter - now it does not work anymore.

Where can I download 3.8 again?

Why I can't install Skype 4.0? PC writes to me: "..No Networwork Path". May be I must de-install the old version Skype for begining?
User: rusrock08

If you want to stay cool and connected with the world stay at skype3.8.

The interface of version 4.0 looks good, but for me as a user it is a downgrade in functionality to go to skype4 for now, because i love the skypeMe functionality, which is not in at skype4.

Hi if anyone can answer me direct. coach@yourscenario.co.uk. How did others manage with dark screen for icons? I would be grateful for replies. I am still using Skype 3.1. The upgrade last year was very hard to read, so I went back. The icons were dark, but I noticed about 4 more to chose from. My friend in Germany just upgraded. I don't know what version but its so bad she went to google mail instead which as you know is basic text. She thinks she might get used to the new Skype. Maybe the real reason she shifted was a friend is calling too often when she is online using skype. I will try to use a new version when its OK, if I hear about it.

As mentioned above, how about bringing the improved audio and video codecs of v4 to the preferred 3.8 interface? I am a guy who usually likes to use the latest and greatest versions but 4.0 is a bloated non intuitive white elephant next to 3.8 like vista is compared to xp. Intuitive my backside! If you want 4.0 to be taken seriously, eBay you need to make compact mode exactly like the 3.8 interface. Otherwise i wait for skype version 5 and only if it is a step forward not back. With Skype 4 I cannot set the speed dials for my vosky call center that is supposed to be skype certified! Bring back the skypecasts too ebay! Which part of listening to your customers do you not understand?

If Skype 4.0 was all mine (read Open Source), I would bring the simple standard design back but with improved under-the-hood changes.

Though the bandwidth manager is a good idea, I'm currently already using a bandwidth manager for managing Skype bandwidth as well as managing bandwidth for a few other applications.

I'm not sure who is considered a "power user" but for many users who spend considerably amount of working hours on the computer, screen real-estate is an important factor when choosing what application to use, and so is a simple and unobtrusive graphical user interface that focuses on efficiency and functionality instead of flashy colors and accessories. This type of design is not only beneficial for power users but also for accessibility users and users who likes their system to be interlaced and their applications to interact.

Improved video and audio codecs are never wrong, but I'm hoping that when the accessibility-features version of Skype 4 is completed it will make Skype 4 better. For now I too am sticking with previous versions.

I have downloaded version 4.0, not having used any earlier versions of Skype. I tried setting up a video link but failed with two different contacts. In both cases, my laptop froze completely and I had to reboot. I have no problem using the video link on MSN Messenger. Is there a way to install version 3.8; is the video quality as good; and is it as secure?

The UI of version 4 is a terrible disappointment. No matter how I tweak, it still consumes more screen real-estate than version 3 did. I really really regret that I updated.

Skype 4.0 GOLD and Outlook Contacts
Seriously I can't believe that the Outlook Contacts in Vista issue isn't fixed. The only reason I use Skype is for the ease of use and simplicity. If I have to cut-n-paste a phone number out of outlook...kinda defeats the purpose. Everyone I know who is running Vista is having this issue.

Looks like this was an issue while in Beta but, never got fixed prior to release. Thanks Raul...

check here: https://developer.skype.com/jira/secure/IssueNavigator.jspa

doesn't look like much is being done...or at least the status isnt being updated.

I don't like this new interface: Why the skipein contacts are so similar to the skypeout contacts? Why you didn't put the skypeout contacts in an other color (blue, for example). Now it's easy to make a mistake and when you're trying to call to another computer you're in fact calling to a phone number.

And It will be better if you can choose between a full screen view and the traditional little screen.

I hope they will improve the interface in version 4.1. The interface should be more customizable...

Using Skype 4.0 for 1 week was 1 week to much.
BUT
luckyli i have 3,8 on a memorystick and thats it no more upgrade.
Since Google took over it is no longer for the people.
Now it is hardcore business. and nevermind the users. fill them with a lie, as long we (Google) think we get bigger. respect for the user and ordinary people must die in the holy name of profit hunting.
I will still use skype (and hope it will come to Iphone) because the inventers brought it to live with decent behavior and respect for humans.

My first comment here. I use skype from my home phone via a USB adaptor. I downloaded version 4 yesterday, and could no longer dial from my handsets. I see there have been other comments on this. I went back to 3.8 after an hour or so of mucking about with settings. Another thing I noticed - my Outlook contacts aren't displaying in the contacts list (yes, I ticked that option...)but this may be my own particular problem as I don't see other mentions of it.

Is there feedback to our comments from "the Skype guys"? To the person who is considering use of their USB adaptor as a paperweight - well, I hope yours is heavier than mine!

Skype guys, fix it, hey? I pay you money - not much, but its consistent.

Some more damage done to the chat UI: try maximising a chat window, the chat text only expands up to a certain amount. I really hope this is a bug rather than a deliberate change, because it's absolutely useless if you want to avoid wrapping, say if you've pasted in an error log with long lines.

Another problem: try selecting text from a multi-line chat comment, without selecting the time - it's no longer possible.

After a week of use the negatives are starting to outweigh the positives.

If you want to download older versions of the Skype software please go here...

http://www.filehippo.com/download_skype/

Yes, they have v3.8 even v3.1 all the way back to v1.2.0 which i would assume wouldnt actually work with their network anymore.

Who are you people and what were you thinking when you released this kludge. I would love a name and email of the person that flipped this switch.

1/The old complete standalone installer was for me a much better choice.
I feel a vicious attitude there, to prevent people to roll back to an older version. CAN SKYPE PUBLICLY DENY THAT ?? and offer a fully downloadable version
(I use skype on five PCs for my family..)

2/ NO PERCEPTIBLE IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY - AT ALL

3/ ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE INTERFACE

4/ PAMELA DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE

CONCLUSION : I RE-INSTALLED 3.8 and intend to stick to it as long as i can

marcelocaniato : i dislike the tone of your comment on leonleon post.
I turns out that MANY users feel VERY unconfortable with the new interface and make it clear. Its not a matter of Psychanalys\zing "the real unwilingness to upgrade".

I installed Skype 0.99 and upgraded probably more that a dozen times since. This is the FIRST TIME i rolled back.

And, as LeonLeon and many others I will NOT give 4.0 a second chance ( i was a member of the beta, with NO CHANCE to report and get heard, by the way)

Why were the skypeme status and the not available status removed from skype 4.0? I don't really care that much about the skypeme mode, but I really miss not being able to set my status to not available.

Thanks,
Warriorjd1

The new interface is awful-- having online contacts and phone contacts the same color is a terrible decision. Having a little teeny icon in the taskbar to show that a message has come in is not very visible. I often chat with more than one person at the same time-- It is NOT intuitive to have all chats restricted to one window with tabs. And most annoying of all, in spite of the fact that I have my history turned off, old conversations keep coming back whenever someone starts a new conversation. I close conversations, but they just keep coming back. I find this a little creepy-- is Skype saving my conversations?

WHEN will speed dial be implemented in SKYPE 4.0? Is it possible to get an official SKYPE answer to this important question?

hariom722 : Try PAMELA for Skype( just google it, its NOT a joke about Mrs Anderson! )
Unfortunately it does NOT work well with 4.0 but its a breeze with 3.8,
the free version is full of fantastic features..

I've tried the new version for about a week - and - I DONT like Skype 4.
- Double clicking the Skype icon in the task bar does not always bring up Skype.
- The GUI is counterintuitive compared to all previous Skype versions.
- The chat window has a large WHITE border around it stealing a lot of space.
- You are unable to enter any text until you click inside the text-box starting a new chat.
- And so on ...

You can download the good old 3.8 version here:
http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-accessibility

Skype 4.0 GOLD and Outlook Contacts
still no work done to repair this bug...
https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SCW-1051

I'm not about to jump off bandwagon, yet, because...Skype is cool, but sheesh this should have had some known issues visibility on the release link and a way to roll back if it wasn't a fit (at least a link to the old installer. I'm in QA (12 years), so I'm thinking this should have stayed beta for the Outlook 2007 on Vista reason alone (the latest platform and it's not working...come on)

going back to 3.8...what a pain.

link here --> http://www.filehippo.com/download_skype/download/62352d423612bbeecbe0b277f71509de/

So as to add another voice to the outcry, I too am upset with this version of Skype.

The biggest problem is the interface.

-Drab blue-gray's look like a rainy day.
-Contact profiles must be opened in a new window to be viewed. This further accents the color imbalance because a contact's profile picture only appears in a separate window.

I would like to suggest that, while in 'Compact Mode', a brief summary of a contact is displayed within the main window while they are selected in the contact list, as in previous versions. From a design perspective, this will help to balance the main interface window.

I am so sad about the new Skype. Its not skype anymore. You may as well change the name. I loved skype, and there was nothing wrong with the UI as it was it was crisp and clear. The chat box was set up perfectly for me. I miss the lines in between each message. It made it easier to follow a conversation. Now all the messages just blend together, among countless other problems .

Back when I was testing out all the chat programs I chose to use Skype, mainly because the GUI was the best, and that by far! Now I see no benefit to staying with Skype for that reason. Now there is no program I like . Skype was my friend! Please bring it back! I am not afraid of change, but it has to be a good change. This is a tragedy. Please, Skype, I beg you to get fast to work to bring back the old interface. Now if you'll excuse me im going to wipe this garbage off my computer and get Skype back ! Who's coming with me!?

I'm going to have to agree with the prior posters that mentioned the chat window being a huge amount of wasted space and hard to follow. Why in the world would you not let me stretch the chat size? Its forced to be fixed? You can at least un-attach windows (Albeit this took me awhile to find, after digging around all the options its called 'compact view', and somehow compact in this sense means to split it into many windows instead of one).

The one and ONLY good feature about Skype 4.0 to me is the when a file was received its actually logged in the chat window instead of just disappearing (way to catch up to ICQ circa 2002).

I've missed multiple calls (I honesty have noidea when they are coming in the new UI in [compact] mode is terrible).
The UI is a clutter of crap, and the way the contact lists sorts is terrible.
The chat was made to be a completely worthless function of skype.
No improvement to chat history was made (It still locks my PC up for a good 5 minutes to hit all on a chat log that's large).
The bookmark 'idea' was novel, but why can I not have multiple bookmarks, and isn't it really a 'Move Unread Back To' not 'bookmark'? Oh and clicking bookmark just randomly moves the UI around for me, thats pretty nice.

downgrade to 3.8, too! get back to basics, 4.0 release is just bad. thougt you realised it in beta. me and my friends are thinking of switching to msn.

Back to 3.8 for me...

If I had done v4 for my employer as an 'upgrade' I would have been quite rightly fired!

I too miss the speed dial. Skype is now unusable with my cordless phones and modem, unless I direct dial a number. I cant call another skype user, when i am away from the computer. This is a killer for me.

And I agree that green phone contacts and green Skype contacts is stupid.

But, the video is noticeably better.

im just wondering! why Windows version doesn't have Screen Sharing option like Mac's. maybe in the new beta or?? that's great feature. i know there's a plug-in for that,but i thinks it's better to be integrated like on the Mac version.

Thanks for a job well done. Before 4.0, I was using v.2.0.150 because I was tired of 20 and over MB installers, and I love the new interface, it's much more intuitive; those that can't handle it, can always switch to the more "traditional" compact view and stop whining and threatening about switching to other clients. Only a few good things happen in a year in this crazy IT world; this is one of them.

I like new stuff but v4 wasn't for me for the following reasons:
Took up too much screen real estate.
CPU hog and Bandwidth burner when idle.

My advice to fiends and associates is to hold off upgrading in the meantime.

Skype 4.0.x is PAINFUL and FRUSTRATING TO USE. Great sound but my god, it is the most frustrating thing when one can't easily do the things that the prior version had. WHY did skype have to do what Microsoft did - when they took word 2003 to word 2007 - making such a useful tool into a constant hunt for what used to be easily and intuitively found.

Conference calling is a nightmare now. What a great conference calling business tool skype was until 4.0.

PLEASE SKYPE, don't let this 4.0 style of doing things persist - UNLESS you want to be just like MICROSOFT.

There is a little issue in the typing window. When the other side is typing the message, a little animated pen comes to show that on the other side is typing but when they stopped writing the image diappears and the scrollbar of the message window goes to top everytime....I am not sure if i am able to clear the problem... but its there and i am very keen to see it fixed.

Skype 4 is a major disappointment. Half my calls are to bridge lines or extensions and i can't just dial - I have to click a little menu arrow, then select the dial pad, then i can dial. At least remember that "this number requires dial pad visible" and leave it there!
The audio controls - big and bold in 3.8 - allowed me to quickly change from usb headset to speakers. Similarly that is hidden. under the tiny menu.
Frankly, for me, nothing is better and what I use is worse. I think this is the 'vista' of skype releases. I have my extended family using skype as well, and am dreading trying to talk folks through how to use this new version.

Skype 4.0 just broke my Skype. My headset won't work, and this is the way I use skype. All I did was upgrade to 4.0 and now it is broken. I can't even uninstall and downgrade because the old version is now broken after 4.0 changed my settings.

I went through the FAQ and through the "Setup Skype Audio" tutorial and it is useless. I am using a line in headset plugging into the front panel mic and headphones jacks on my PC, in Windows Vista.

I don't care about UI, I don't care about sharing contacts, or anything else, the first and primary thing I need is to be able to MAKE AND RECEIVE CALLS.

Sigh. BTW, tech support for Skype sucks. Stop feeding people through question box after question box which yields zero specific answers.

I too dislike the new interface quite a bit. I have no glitches, but I just don't like the conversation (chat) window whatsoever! It is sooo confusing! Why do I need to scroll up through my old conversations to see my current one? It's the oddest thing I've seen! I'm also not a big fan of the space it now requires on my desktop. I liked how the older version nicely tucked away on one side. I'm really hoping the developers are reading all these comments and have started work on Skype 5.0!

I really went into this with an open mind despite being disappointed by the initial look but the new Skype just seemed to stack disappointment over disappointment. First, I don't know why but Skype doesn't seem to like my games very much (and they're good games, too!). Whenever I have Skype running and I try to play Left 4 Dead, BioShock or any other, the game always minimizes to my taskbar and won't let me play until I either turn Skype off or open a Skype window onto my desktop. Secondly, the layout is too big and ugly. So much wasted space and you can't even change the wallpaper. What genius down there thought it would be a good idea to take away features for the latest version? But the thing that irks me the most is the chatting. It's so confusing how the messages sometimes seem to just shift on their own, and the lack of lines between messages adds to the chaos. Again, was it that same genius that decided to swell the ugly layout and take away the wallpaper that was responsible for this? Anyway, after upgrading back down to 3, all those problems were solved. Honestly, Skype, I was expecting better. Far better.

4.0 == FAIL, what where you thinking. Did you guys outsource? This version has all the hallmarks of a design by committee. I cannot believe that the people that wrote the previous versions released this piece of rubbish. Get the old programmers back. To think that as a software developer I have often referred to Skype UI as an excellent example of UI design. Now it is truly and example of what not to do.

I truly do not like the new 4.0 version! I've tried it for a week, hoping to get used to it, and i'm just left cursing. I am reverting because...

a) I have at least 5+ chat conversations going at once many times during the day, with the new layout, i'm missing chat reponses. And i hate to have to look for an orange dot to see who is waiting for a response!!!!!! In the old version, yes there were 5 windows open but at least it was blatantly obvious who needed my attention. Bring back BLATANT!

b) I'm continually closing a chat accidentally by clicking the X on a contact in the Conversations list....

c) Why would you make a Chat Contact and a Phone Contact icon the SAME COLOR... i have my screen DPI set extremely high, so those green icons are tiny, and i'm supposed to tell the difference between a check mark and a phone??? All i see is green and white, use a DIFFERENT color to distinguish between chat and phone contacts please.

d) I DO LIKE the show message history feature, a little easier to get to the historic chat, don't mind the new set up on that.

e) I am not sure this is an issue directly related to the new version but... I have IM+Skype on my blackberry, i often leave the office and go out on calls and turn on my phone, leaving skype on the office computer turned on. It USED to be all conversations would show up in the skype on the office computer even if they were conducted on the BB, and that was nice for backup in case i missed a reply... i could follow up at the office, now it seems if I have both turned on, only one is getting the chat responses. Could be an IM+Skype thing but i did read that you don't recommend having skype turned on in two places. That, for my work flow, doesn't work. I don't want the limitation of having to remember to turn off one session before turning on another. The flexibility at having all turned on and all recording history no matter which one in use is exactly that, FLEXIBLE.

Sadly... REVERT, REVERT!

TO: Skype Management
FROM: [Formerly] Happy & Appreciative Customer
SUBJECT: Please LISTEN to your customers!

Could you please set up a simple online customer opinion poll to gather info from your current installed customer base to gauge the impact and satisfaction of the new Skype version 4.0?

After all, you (the Skype management/development team) are the proud parents of the baby (Skype 4.0) and as such will always think the baby is beautiful even though passersby will look in the crib and gasp in horror! Only by truely listening to your customers will you learn the truth.

My vote: This is the worst "Upgrade" of Skype ever! User interface, performance, and "look & feel", etc. are all terrible.

Please, please, listen to your customers! Thank you.

I have been an enthusiastic Skype user for several years now. I use it both at home and professionally. In my company we don't use normal phones, only Skype.

Unfortunately I have to agree with basically everyone and ask "What were you thinking???". 4.0 is simply the worst!

I was immediately disappointed with it, but thought I would give it some days to grow on me. It's now 24 hours since I downloaded it, and it's just not working for me one bit. Now I realise that there are even features that are not implemented like call transfer and file transfer.

As a paying and loyal customer of Skype, having promoted Skype to family, friends and business contacts for years, I am so, so disappointed in you. There are so many features that could be implemented to make this a better product for business users and power users, and you waste time and money on doing this.

I am going back to Skype 3.8 immediately. I hope to revert to a previous version will be easy, otherwise I will be doubly disappointed over the extra time you have wasted.

Skype, if you are not responding to your customers feedback and keep developing Skype in line with the 3.8 interface you will be loosing me and many others as customers.

I never thought I should say this, but Skype, you suck!

rsktech you said
"Skype, if you are not responding to your customers feedback and keep developing Skype in line with the 3.8 interface you will be loosing me and many others as customers."

I'm sure you meant to say 4.0 there. Just wanted to make that correction. .

Interesting that this blog has now been buried on this site. Skype are you afraid of the truth? I like the little fake blog that you have a tiny link to that basically has your employees and friends telling us to "rejoice" at the release of the new Skype. Very shameful of you to cover up this scandal for unsuspecting new customers.

Anyone else who is just as upset about this as me will find this podcast entertaining. Its Mike Bartlett and other Skype heads talking about this "exciting" new release. I really like how they said they want to take regular skype users out of their "comfort zone" and welcome a new client base. I don't know how a company expects to get MORE clients while pissing off all the old ones, but that just corporate thinking i suppose. It also funny when they ask Mike how he likes the new GUI personally, and he says "Oh, well i haven't even used it. i have a mac!" So, hes SOOO excited about the new GUI, and hasn't even tried it!

About all the missing features everyone is complaining about. In the podcast they said they did it on purpose. They claimed they only want feedback on the new gui and want to focus on video calls.

So they took away functionality to get "feedback" on the aspects of the program THEY wanted to focus on. WHAT!? As if having a nice chat box would make people any less annoyed at the new layout, or something along those lines. They say they want people to focus more on the video calls, so they made the chat a little more annoying to use. ITS UNBELIEVABLE! just listen for yourself. I'm flabbergasted!

Here is where you can listen to the podcast, http://saunderslog.com/2008/06/20/squawk-box-june-20-skype-40/ enjoy getting pissed off.

I also find the previous version better. Here's another issue that I would emphasis:
The previous version had a tab for viewing the History. Now it's extra steps to find it in the View menu. Please add the tabs back.

Oh, the new skype is a real nuisance! it's absolutely annoying and unpractical!!!!!!

How for example can I delete the single conversations of voicemails from the history?
Also, everything became so unclear and much more mixed-up, looking like complicated, whereas it doesn't have to be so - as it never was!

And when somebody is offline, why there is a green sing next to him? it's really confusing and wrong!
I would like the old version back - can somebody send me a link to the installation file?

Thank you!

Ag

Another problem,

the previous skype remembered the user names in the log-in window, this one doesn't!

I think this version should be canceled and the new one should really be based on user's opinion on what were the necessary and good features in the previous version.

greetings to all

a

To marcelocaniato,
I saw your comment and I had to answer you.
Yes, I do know and appreciate the immense work spent on releasing a new software version of any product.
Still, this does not stop me from saying that the new version is a disappointment.
Regarding the "intuitive" word you mentioned, most users didn't like the new version, so I don't know which one of us doesn't know the meaning of that word.
And last thing, if I didn't want to upgrade why did I upgrade? From the way you are saying this, it sounds like some kind of religious debate. If I didn't want to upgrade, I wouldn't have upgraded. But I upgraded, as I always did, the only thing is that this time, for the first time, I was very disappointed by the new version and I see no reason to hide this opinion. I do believe, that due to the comments Skype receives, both here and elsewhere, they will improve their product.

My experience:
(1) Install skype 4
(2) Spend 10 frustrating minutes trying to make the window as small as skype 3
(3) Uninstall skype 4
(4) Install skype 3, vow to use google talk instead when possible

I agree totally with rider45, rsktech_rask and many others. Skype 4 is the worst interface they ever had. Two scattered windows or one large window with all contacts in green instead only those who are online or who you call in green and the rest in grey.
No improvement in audio or video.

Also I think it is most unethical to drop the possibility to view the call rates per minute for normal phone calls while you call. Anyway if you want to know rates for phone calls you have to be a detective to find the page at the Skype site. It is easier to look them up in Google. They should be part of the calling window.
Please drop that garbage and go back to the future.
timmendorf

This release has dropped one very important feature that I can see absolutely no logic in. Why disable Share Contacts? It is ridiculous! I have a large company that conducts support and training through Skype. We introduce up to 100 new people per week and expect nothing in return. It used to be easy for our staff to give details of a new member to the support and training staff by simply 'Sending Contacts'. Now we have to send emails with user names and stuff around with something that was once so easy. Why have you done this, Skype? The user interface is harder to read as phone numbers are green as with online contacts and the yellow for away. I also lost 12mths of chats when I upgraded and this is an absolute killer. The interface in general has a learning curve but nothing people wont get used to. Call quality has improved but people still get massive delays in group chats... like some of our clients get the chats a week later! IMO, not much has improved other than call and video quality.

I downloaded Skype 4 recently and the video quality is worst compared to the earlier version. I was attracted to Skype 4 because it said the video calling is the next best thing but in actuality it turns out to be next worst thing !!! I am currently in Europe on work and I constantly used to talk to my family in India and was happy with earlier version but now it's too difficult with video calling because of the poor picture quality. Can you please fix this soon ?

I installed the new version over a week ago, felt awkward using it the whole time, and finally tracked down an old 3.8 skype install file on my comp and am using that again.

Thank the lord almighty, moses, and a whole slew of the devil's minions, I feel at home again!

Programmers, please switch back to the old format! This new version is horrendous and clearly this feed here (as well as many other places on the net) are sufficient testimony to that.

I thought new versions are suppose to improve on the problems of the old ones, not create more? Like some folks above wrote, this feels way too much like the Microsoft strategy, releasing new programs that are embarrassing compared to the old ones.

It's nice to see I wasn't the only one thinking this way...

Skype, it's time for you to say something. At least indicate that you are reading what we are all trying to tell you. Why this silence?

I too have uninstalled 4.0 and have gone back to 3.8 - the new interface is confusing and my co-workers agree. Skype is a great product, I'm a paying customer and this turn has me concerned. It seems this note is unlikely to be read, so I'll simply leave it at that.

As a side note, I just spent $6K on a new phone system. I wish Skype had a competitive, SaaS offering to compete with NEC/Cisco phone switches.

Who on Earth did Skype consult with for designing their new UI? Obviously not many people who use Skype on a daily basis, if anyone at all! The new UI is absolutely horrendous for a business professional. After trying to get over the quirks for two weeks now, I've been forced to downgrade to 3.8.

I downloaded the new Skype 4 version without hesitation since the versions used to be better. Not true this time, in my opinion. User interface less intuitive and not so user friendly. Program behaviour seems odd. Some functionalities fail to work (Mic and speakers sometimes doesn't work, Games in Extras doesn't work either, etc.)
Hated the new version. Thinking of a downgrade to version 3.8.
Hope that Skype team review their strategy for the new version and improve it from what it is today.

How do I turn off text messaging? I'll never use it.

Howdy. Allright, so maybe tech inovations are true and sound and picture quality is better. But what exactly are the advantages o new interface. The miniscule fonts and non adjustable wallpaper. Looks like we are travveling in the past. I don;t see anything you coudnt do in the past. In fact options are limited now.
Question remains, WYY?
Cheers.

Oh yeah, whoever needs the latest of old version of Skype for Windows, go here:
http://www.oldapps.com/skype.php?old_skype=76#Download
Cheers again.

I found this after I installed version 4; I'm now back to 3.8 with thanks to those who posted a link. Skype's new interface is awful. It looks like something off of a child's toy, big buttons, windows that take over the entire desktop; very professional in the office. My eyes are not great, but I don't need the Reader's Digest big print version of Skype on the desktop.

If they are bound and determined that video is the most important thing, rather than voice, I guess some of this makes sense.

What doesn't make sense is why I might want to continue to pay for SkypeOut, given the lack of video telephones out there and skype's apparent decision that voice is not important. Since it does not appear that they are listening to any of these complaints, I will likely have to start looking for a real VoIP provider for my business instead.

First, thanks to our folk at Skype for the technical innovations of Version 4.0.

Second, I agree that the interface is a big disappointment. I was going to suggest it for my family so that we can have better online conversations, but they're technically challenged. It would be a tough transition for them.

However, I'm sticking with it, even if I don't like the UI. Skeyp 4.0 is just better when it comes to quality, so that's what I'm looking for.

Thanks

Skype, why are you still not saying anything? Mr. Bartlett, we all noticed that you were quick to jump in and answer a simple question early on. We also all notice that throughout the Skype blogs the authors of various posts answer questions in the comments. It's simply pathetic that there is no response to 100+ disappointed and angry users.

Excuse me, but as a loyal user/customer of and ambassador for Skype for several years I do feel entitled to some answers. Skype 3.8 today is the very communication backbone of my business and I depend on it to run my business. It would be fair to give me some honest information that would let me know if I can continue to count on Skype in the future.

Some of the things I would like to know are:

* Is Skype listening to its users?
* Will there be a review of the UI or can we expect Skype to keep the 4.0 UI?
* Will there be put some effort in to making the so-called "compact view" work like the 3.8 UI? (I think that was the idea, but the result is horrible!)
* Will the lost features from 3.8 to 4.0 be implemented in 4.0? (4.1?)
* Will the new sound and video codecs be ported back to 3.8? (3.9?)
* In general, what commitment can we expect from Skype towards business users?
* Is Skype going to focus solely on video calling and forget about voice and phone calls?

No one here is denying that Skype is your product and you are free to take it in whatever direction you see fit. However, the decent thing would be to communicate your directions to your users so we can make informed decisions. I look forward to a comprehensive response to the criticism and questions that has been raised in the comments on this page. I beg you that you do not disappoint us on that.

After downloading Skype 4.0 my internal microphone stopped working. I went back to Skype 3.6 and it works fine.

I am highly disappointeed with the new version of skype. Skpeme mode was removed. This is the one feature I loved. People being able to call me or I them from around the world. Friends come and go but ideas and culture views exchanged. I took the bad with the good. More good than bad ever. Now skype sits silent for me except for old friends made. Without that feature I now use skype very little. I wish these programers would leave a good thing alone. If anything skype needed to put their time and effort into was improving their search engine. Skype put skypeme mode back in the program.

When I changed to 4.0, the language changed from English to German. How do I get English back?

The new user interface is huge step backwards for Skype. It is definitely less intuitive: I'm using Skype pretty much since it came out, and never had any reason to complain about the way the UI was designed. But since I installed 4.0 I miss the direct phone number entry line at the bottom of the contacts window, differentiating between landline and skype contacts became really hard(why in the h##l would you use icons with the same color for that???), and popping up a new window for each call is just a useless cluttering of precious desktop space (in the previous version I could decide whether a video shows in the main window or in a separate window).

Bottom line:
Really crappy job on this one. Admittedly for the first time, all previous versions were awesome. You guys shouldn't let somebody play Steve Jobs who clearly isn't Steve Jobs. Sorry.

Advise: Get back to the old (excellent) UI. It worked just as smoothly as they come ...

I don't like the new updated version of Skype, the pale blue. With other sites having updates and choices of colors, etc, I thought this would be a new addition to the site. MY Skype IM is ugly blue and I really don't like it. I also do not like the fact that now you cannot see the last time one of your contacts was on. Of course, there is no one I can directly contact so this probably won't even be read by someone who makes important decisions about Skype.....

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but you can use Pamcorder if you aren't careful because of the way this has been set up.

Here's the explanation I got from Pamelasystems - Please re-install Skype by downloading from http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-full

Then when you run the installer, click "Options" in the left bottom corner. Make sure "Install Plugin Manager" is checked. Click OK and install.

After that Pamela Call Recorder will work. The cause is a bug in Skype 4.0.0.215 light installer - Skype forgot to add Extras Manager to the installer, this is a required component for Pamela Call Recorder.

First, people removed Skypecasts. Then, the ability to use Skype 2.0 for Windows (and to answer to someone calling and wanting to join a conference, without being the host of the conference) was removed. Now, SkypeMe was removed and accessibility left out to be added "in the near future". What can be the next thing? Hmm, let's think... Ah, yes! Next thing Skype can do is to put a visual verification code (captcha) to create a Skype account! Then, it will be inaccessible from the beginning for visually impaired people, and not only after the account is created. And last, Skype can make people chat only one on one, because that way, he/she can pay for Skype credits (or use www.justvoip.com, which by what I know, is cheaper), and stop complaining because every free thing gets more feedback, and that also means, more work...

Well, while these future plans don't happen, I'll still use Skype, but with less joy than before!

When our telephone system needed replacing, we invested in Skype phones at work (a small charity). Plus a SkypePro subscription. Today we noticed that the one member of staff who ticked "automatically update to new versions" has got an ugly, unintuitive, diminished version of Skype suddenly on his screen, with no call transfer. He is on reception!! If we don't get the call transfer facility back, our investment in Skype phones will basically have been wasted and we'll have to scrap using Skype and go back to a BT phone extension system.
Why has the new version gone so obviously backward from the older version?
The main advance appears to be the videophone facilities, but most Skype-only handsets don't have this facility.
Hopeless.
And the vanilla Windows interface is a real anti-cool factor too...

I really miss the "skypeme mode". Even if you may receive a few spam text it is still worth it! Please bring it back asap!! I am downgrading to 3.8 version untill the skypeme mode is implemented on 4.0

Every day new comments of disappointment of Skype 4.0 is added. But still no comments from Skype! You people are pathetic!

In Skype 4 (very nice) there is a substantial problem on "status" and icons: have you thought there are many people who cannot see colours? With this version they don't understand when someone is online or offline or busy or away as they simply see all "gray"......

@bettortrader we'll be reintroducing Send Contacts in a future version - keep your eyes peeled

Hey, this Skype 4.0 really disappointed me. All the thing is a mess. The tabs was cool enough, this way looks too weird. Ok, I can go classic style, but the 'stylish' backgrounds was gone?! And together went the icons we are used to know, now my phone addresses and contacts looks almost the same! And what about the 'send contact' thing? In future? When a new guy comes into the workgroup, there was no problem because we just was used to send all people to him and 'Done'. The conversations don't expand with the window resize, just looks like "there's a limit here, don't go wider than 500 pixels"!! Even the Splash looks like a children birthday's party.
I know you guys had a great and hard work to finish this version and congratulations about the call quality improvements but I'll be back to the 3.8 .

Oops! Not all developments lead to improvements. Looks like all comments on this page agree: give us back the old intuitive GUI!

This user interface is an absolute drama. Text chatting is chaotic, you have to look twice every time what is written and what you are writing yourself. Besides that, the icons used in the contact list are unclear, why have online people the same color as skype out contacts? This is very unpractical and confusing. Skype was a very intuitive and fast working piece of software, but since 4 you have to look very careful about what you're doing.

I don't like having the chat window tied to the video window. You have to have a lot of vertical screen realestate to have a decent sized chat window. I looked for a way to separate them but could not find one. With 3.8 I would quite often have multiple chat windows open with different people. Is that even possible with 4.0? If so, it's not obvious. Then there is the call quality. I use the array microphone built into my laptop. It has always worked fine with previous versions. Now it occassionally fades out and the other side can't hear me. The person I have been testing 4.0 with has the same problem. We are definitely switching back to 3.8 for both the better UI and the better audio.

I don't care much for the new aesthetic, but this Outlook contact issue is absolutely ridiculous. Only my contacts with an international calling code show up in Skype, which for me is not many since I live in the states.

I'm going back to 3.8 ASAP. Hopefully in the future you guys will focus on your core competency before adding more bells and whistles.

A giant leap. Backwards.

The new user interface is a disgrace. Not just the pale colors, but especially the layout. I cannot find anything, much-much-much less intuitive than the original interface.

The ordering of contacts is really a pain in the @ss, skype contacts are mixed with phone contacts, order is alphabetical, but alphabetical relative to what? Surname first or Lastname first? Or username first? Also, ordering by online-status would be useful.

Color codes for online status are also awful...

Short speeddial assignments work no longer, therefore my Skype adapter does not work any more...

How can I revert to a previous version????

Upgraded to version 4 and couldn't figure out how to make things work. Finally got it going. And now really don't care for the interface at all. I'll try going back to the old version until you can get this mess fixed.
Also don't see any improvement in quality which was previously excellent most of the time and the video on 4.0 begain breaking up after a short time.

A good rule is "IF it ain't broke, don't fix it". Your interface was excellent before and now it seems to be less than mediocre.

The sound quality and reliability was great before and has thankfully not "improved". The video colors, contrast, etc. were pretty good before and now seem to need a lot of adjustment. The only thing that could have been better was the low light capability. I'm sure some of you have seen that on camera phones in Japan where their processing could extract great images out of almost total darkness over a decade ago, while the Sony I bought in the US needed perfect lighting conditions to get a decent picture. The video also started breaking up right away.

I'd sure like to see something like the old user interface implemented. This one hogs to much screen space unlike the previous trim design which was pretty efficient and useable. When I have twenty or thirty things going on at the same time that I am interacting with, efficient stacking ability and ease of use is paramount.

Skype has been a great program and a useful tool. Let's keep it that way.
Evolution is a good and healthy thing, revolution requires periods of chaotic adjustment which are a bit disruptive.

Just upgraded to 4.0 and realized none of my Outlook contacts appear. I pay the monthly fee for calls to landlines around the world, so I must have access to my phone contacts. The 'fix' of retyping them into Skype is unacceptable (400+ contacts). I have uninstalled 4.0 and dropped back to 3.8. Might loose some features but at least i can now dial my colleagues. Very poor planning on the part of Skype especially since there is no mention of this limitation anywhere on the website.

just trying to get started with skype 4.0 for windows, everytime i try to download it does not work, says it is having trouble connecting to a download server need help have tried all of the helps so far still get the same results have all the computer requirements

just trying to get started with skype 4.0 for windows, everytime i try to download it does not work, says it is having trouble connecting to a download server need help have tried all of the helps so far still get the same results have all the computer requirements

A big annoyance when chatting: often I copy & paste words/text from earlier pieces of the chat, and the auto quoting is infuriating. *perhaps* it might be useful when pasting an entire block of chat, but it jumps in even if I select a single word from the chat and try and embed it in a sentence.

You can disable quoting in the preferences. As it's currently implemented it's of no use having as an option (definitely shouldn't be default).

It it ain't broke don't fix it. Skype 4.0 broke the dial pad feature. Albeit you can dial a number - every input after the number is ignored. Try calling Continental airlines (or a million other phone prompted support linews) and try to enter your frequent fler number. Or for that matter enter a 1 for a new reservation - Nope it doesn't work anymore.

The new UI is cluttered and confusing. If Skype yearns to be a facebook or an iPhone then release these features as a new product or an add on. If Skype developers can't resist the temptation to create a solution in search of a problem - at least let the millions of 3.8 users have a "Classic Skype" look and feel selection in there "advanced" UI.

4.0 was not ready for prime time. Skpye needs some gray beards to ride heard on the "kids" doing the development and design.

Rule 1: If it ain't broke - don't fix it
Rule 2: Do not create a solution in search of a problem
Rule 3: Skype ain't Twitter, Facebook or an iPhone

PROOF:

Note: The main dialpad is not functioning at the moment in the latest 4.0 version. We are aware that in some cases it is not possible to dial extension numbers using Skype. We are working to solve this issue.

Should you need more assistance, feel free to contact us again.

Best regards,

Dmitri K.
Skype Support

Yes, Skype is the best communication free software Pc to Pc. All my long distance calls are from PC to land phone no's, unlimited talks US and Canada cost $29/year. However, I am not happy with the latest version skype #4+ and have switched back to Skype 3+, luckily I had the earlier version still in my download file. The latest version calls are dropped, have to click 'view 'to get to contact or history. A display in Skype 3+ is simple, easy and fast, all I need to communicate. I am member of Skype for years and version 4 is worst rather than better.

I love Skype, but ... I am absolutly sure that keeping the new interface will make Skype success deteriorate quickly. IT IS UNUSABLE.

This is my first ever product comment. The only reason I wrote it is to ask the Skype Product Management team not to dissmiss all the comments on this page. I recommend you quickly go back to the old interface so you can maintain your success and service.

Waiting too long will make people move to other tools.

AL.

Skype 4.0 does not recognize Outlook phone numbers. Like so many others, I will continue to use 3.8 until this dreadful problem is corrected. Clearly the developers of Skype have no idea how we are using skype out here in the RW.

I foolishly clicked on the update notification, hey, you just assume it'll be a security update or a bit of improved look and feel, perhaps, even some extra functionality...

No, it is a completely new application. A huge dialogue appeared, taking up loads of space and I thought "here we go, programmers love to change things, like to make you do what they want, their way". After about an hour of trying to communicate with people (the whole point of Skype) I'd had enough.

Several people who I normally chat to resorted to video calling me (annoying when you don't need to do it) and wondered why I hadn't responded to their chat messages. Simple. The icon in the system tray had changed colour. Not much use if your taskbar is set to autohide.

I downgraded to 3.8 and when that is no longer supported, I'll probably stop using Skype altogether and move over to Google Talk.

Have been very happy on 3.8, installed 4.0 on a new machine and am going to take if off very quickly. Group chat management has lost features (kick, kick and ban, etc), I can't easily rejoin a chat I've left, etc. Once 3.8 is gone our project conferencing moves over to Gizmo or SIP or Jabber/Gtalk. 4.0 is plain unusable. We could live with a new interface, it it hadn't lost features in the "upgrade". That being said, I don't particularly like it either. It wastes a great deal of space....for example the list of users in a group IM is very space inefficient. I also have to use other teleconf servicee...and without the dial pad I can't...have started to use Gizmo for that. That's some of my money you're not getting...

You can revert back to Version 3.8.0.188 by going to the download page. Because 4.0 does not support accessibility options this previous version is offered as an alternative to the 4.0. Save the executable that you download in case Skype decides to "upgrade" you without your consent AND removes the link to the previous version. To Skype: The version 4 interface is a user turn-off. I was going to abandon Skype completely until I found the install for the 3.8 version...

I hate the new interface. I hate having to flick back and forth between the contacts and comversation tab. It's ridiculous that the thing now bloats my entre desktop (and that compact mode has only half the funcionality. If someone messages me and I start chatting to them, the orange dot indicating a new messgage remains until I manually got to the stupid conversations tab and click on the event myself.
And numerous other things that make the interface SO much less intuitive. I wish I could give more detail on exectly what I mean, but I know my experience in using it always leaves me feeling frustrated... and I know so many of my other Skype friends also feel exactly the same.

I've got v3 right here, ready to install, but I'm still weighing it up... If it wasn't for these mythical improvements in call quality I would have done it already. I'll just have to wait and see how ong I can't stand this inferface for...

QUOTE "@bettortrader we'll be reintroducing Send Contacts in a future version - keep your eyes peeled "

Thanks for the brief reply. May I ask then, what about my history only showing back 6mths since the upgrade and the all mysterious delays with group chats. I've been asking for an answer for 3yrs now.

We have clients who get the chats a week after they happen. We may have 150 people in the chats but even as low as 20 and still the same problem for some people.

I have emailed, I have sent smoke signals but no one ever seems to get back to me on that. Does anyone else have the same problem or does anyone else out there have an answer?

I understand that Skype uses technology similar to P2P programs. Does this mean some traffic could be blocked by AV, firewalls, the dreaded Nortons etc or even ISPs themselves?\

I agree with rsktech_rask. Some of us are business users and the quality of service is extremely lacking. The amount of times I have sent emails not to have them responded to is unbleiveable.

With 20million plus users, I imagine it would be hard to respond to all emails of course but some of these problems have been around for years and there has been no change. I have not even been responded to regarding becoming an affiliate etc.

Even billing don't respond at times. One would think Skype is more than financially viable and capable in implementing a better system for responding to business and paid customers at least, especially when they are responsible for many of their users. Happy people always bring you more business.

Skype is in a great posistion to remain the industry leader and our favourite and 'sworn by' communication tool but watch out, someone may just see an opportunity here.

Regards,

Kevin Riddell
Director
Bettortrader

Listen... I've never commented in a Skype blog about Skype. Never. I have better things to do. However, I can no longer stay silent about this new Skype UI (4.0).

It wastes my screen real estate. It continues to nag me about missed calls even after I've viewed the event in the history list (or whatever it's called). How unintuitive. It is more complex than the previous UI which means I have to sit down and explain the whole thing to my wife as she ATTEMPTS to video conference with her family in Morocco. It's becoming hard for me to continue justifying this silly upgrade to her. She doesn't understand it and I'm feeling the same way.

When something isn't broken, perhaps it shouldn't be "fixed." Fine, you want to upgrade the video quality. That's great. Then do it. But there is NO WAY you can rationalize the other changes that have been made to what previously was a fine interface. Change this. Please. For the love of Christ.

I really think that SKYPEME mode should come back.

I 110% agree with the many previous posters. Please examine your heads skype developers.

"-new interface horribly un-intuitive. if people love the old 3.8 layout, why not incorporate it into 4.0"

I have been with Skype since day one. I have used it and converted friends to it and others. Lets be positive first. Its a great program and saves me heaps of $$. The new version 4 is a total sham. Poor interface. Cant see who is online etc etc. I have tried to persevere along with many friends. We have all decided to return to version 3.8 today.
Keep working on it.
Cheers Bill

Ok - I think there's a general consensus on here that Skype 4.0 sucks, there's no need for me to repeat what everyone else has said.

Me, I've gone back to 3.8 because my Logitech USB Speakerphone doesn't work with 4.0 - and everyone else has their own pet reason - but the basic question to Skype is, ARE you working to fix all the bugs in 4.0 and make a 4.1, or are we wasting our time discussing this?

And more importantly, if you are, what is the planned release date for 4.1?

ok, maybe i'm a bit too late to comment, but whatever! i just installed skype 4 and that's when the whole confusion begins. i was using 3.8, my bf uses 4.0. we wanted to play some game together and he asked me where to access the menu. i told him step-by-step based on the 3.8 interface and he went "where is it? i can't find that thing" for like tens of times. and i went "oh, is that the vista version?" coz my skype check update says i have the latest version. i regret the decision of going to the website and downloading 4.0. yup. vista alright. glossy memory hogging program with pre-installed confusion. i've been with skype since 0.98 beta (with red logo, not sure of the x.xx.xxx.xxxx version number format) and 4.0 is the worst i've tried so far.

i can't effectively temporarily hide my video call (on tab) by switching the tabs or covering it with some other window while still typing at the same time. or just switch the webcam on and not typing (i surf the web and resize the browser to 75% of the screen).

i didn't know how to switch to multiple windows until just now i read one of the comments above. and that's more than halfway to the bottom of this page (i usually skip comments after i read a few, i could've simply missed that very helpful comment). you call the multiple windows "compact" and the one-window-for-all "default" when skype from the earliest beta to 3.8 had been implementing the multiple window format.

the file transfer box is gone and i was asked why i didn't accept the file transfer just because i missed that line (it got lost after some 20-30 lines of typing i had to scroll up to accept the file). and i can't see the progress. and i just found out by hovering the mouse over the file icon i can see the transfer speed and size of the transferred file. isn't that convenient?

i am bugged by the messages with the orange dot, and that's how i came across this page. the orange notification showed 20 messages with orange dot on the side right when i'm online and chatting! i replied to my bf's message and he replied back. all his messages was marked with the orange dot. and the BIGGEST problem is i had to scroll down everytime i wanted to type something because the idiot program kept on scrolling back to the first message with the orange dot (i answered to questions he didn't ask. to be more accurate: the questions he asked hours/days ago, probably will be asking again later. it's either i'm a psychic or i'm a psycho. or skype is just plain stupid). i clicked on the orange notification like some mouse-click addict to get rid of the notification but everything failed. had to scroll down for the latest message every single time. it's frustrating. until i accidentally right-clicked the name on the left tab and found 'mark as read'. huh? the whole frustrating session can be ended with a couple of clicks? (btw i hate the left tab. contact list has always been on the right side no matter what IM i'm using. i even have my googlemail chat on the right)

i'm not done exploring the new "improved" skype. i don't even know if i want to know more. the new skype is like vista of the microsoft os, and office 2007 of the ms office suite. like "look, now i can put glossy glass reflection effects on the pictures, but i don't know how to insert page breaks" kind of stuff. and for those who say "you can always learn the way around new stuff" sheesh... don't you guys ever have the situation where you have deadline to catch where you're in the middle of something important and time critical and you're stuck with "new and improved" upgrades that requires you to learn from scratch just to use the basics

maybe these skype people should put 'getting started' video and 'no thanks' checkbox so we users can skip the video once we're accustomed to the new interface.

oh... can you please add something the opposite of skypeme mode? i hate getting strangers sending me messages when i'm not even in skypeme mode (in previous version) and some people just don't understand 'do not disturb' even when i put the red sign on. please put something like 'exclude me from skypeme search' (when people in skype me mode searching for another user) and prompt me if the searcher is not in skypeme mode. i hate missing alerts when i'm in DND mode and i also hate the stupid 'hi' messages popping up when i'm in online mode (i never put mine in skypeme mode) but those people never understand

Skype forced me to update to v4.0... this version is horrible. When I choose a contact imported from outlook a new separate window opens. When I choose to call a number a 3rd independent window opens... why do I need 3 windows when the old version just had one?

This will cause me to scale way back my use of Skype...

@dcasciato sounds like you’re using compact view – here’s how to change to the default view.

Question about a green vertical bar on incoming video.

I am using video calls with two friends, not very frequently but from time to time. Earlier I had no problem but now a broad green vertical bar is disturbing the incoming video. The vertical bar takes about 25% of the video screen and appears in the middle - about the same apperance as a test bar on old TV:s when setting new channels.

Has anyone out there experienced this problem? How can I solve this? Is the problem located to my computer or to the one I am talking to? The problem apperared some few months ago - could be at the time when I upgraded to the latest Skype release, but I am not sure.

I would appreciate a hint of what to do!
Gunnar in Sweden

@gunnarern it sounds like it's a problem with the computer you're talking to. Ask the person you're speaking to to check their webcam drivers and settings, and please let me know if you continue to have problems.

I am getting the fllowing error thing:
The number you're trying to call is currently not supported by skype.
Any ideas how can make the call?
I left cliked on the link showing after the error message, and takes me to no where.

I am using Skype since last 3 years and never had any issues. But the day I have upgraded the Version 4.0, facing lot of issues. It is the worst Skype version. Did'nt expect such a bad upgrade (rather call downgrade) from skype.

I am going back to previous version.

Skype 4.0? The version that COULD sink Skype and convince eBay to dump Skype which is a loser anyway!I have been a fanatical promoter of Skype since its inception and I lived with its early faults like address book happily. Skype 4.0 can only be described as a travesty. It is about as fast as Net2phone was in 1996! (And remember, AT&T paid a $1 billion for Net2phone and, they went under, not a good portent for poor old eBay who is still suffering Skype as a LOSER service) Version 4.0 is user unfriendly, unintuitive and the install actually took out my settings. Most of my friends have been unable to get video to work. The call quality using a 30meg FIOS connection and a brand new SONY laptop was dreadful, that is, for the few seconds before it dropped for the nth time! The vido expanded to a screen was so blocky it was worthless. Worthless unless one keeps the image at postage stamp size. Chat stuck on bottom of frame means one can not see prior conversation threads. Unless the developers who wrote Skype 4.0 fix it fast, many new users will find they are unable to use it and go back to AIM or Yahoo or something new! WAKE UP Skype developers! Fix this FAST or you may have sunk the best communicator there ever was! Maybe you are a new bunch hired by eBay and NOT the real Skype guys of old? I am seriously mad at you! Give me back my Skype that WORKED! Skype 4.0 is almost useless.

@eduardo.tamez.herrera are you able to call the same number from a landline or mobile?

First Comment ever, on an IM service forum.
Tried 4.0 for a week on my laptop, wow...
Just reinstalled 3.8, if i'm required to use 4.0 i'm leaving Skype.

AGREE:

First Comment ever, on an IM service forum.
Tried 4.0 for a week on my laptop, wow...
Just reinstalled 3.8, if i'm required to use 4.0 i'm leaving Skype.

Please please please bring back all the Public Chat features of Skype 3 into Skype 4.0

Many gaming communities, clans, alliances etc rely on this feature and doing so has lead to me using it more in our business environment.

We did not use skype before using it in gaming, and now we're buying skype credits..

timmendorf

I agree. Bring back the Call Rates! Why drop them? Well I'll tell you one personal experience. I got a phone number and rang it, little did I know it was a UK mobile number - I assumed it was a UK landline. So I talk away and spend 10times the cost I thought I was going to.

This appears to me a subtle manner in which to marginally increase revenue. It stinks and is deceptive.