Skype shuts down the desktop version

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Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:31 pm

These are bad news indeed. Mad

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:58 pm

How abourt the feed back "Don't do it!!" Have you tried the mobile app?

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:16 pm

^ Yes, took me straight to insanity.

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:21 pm

As I understand it the news is relevant mostly to programmers who write code that uses Skype capabilities (like when a phone # appears in a spreadsheet, a messaging app, or you want to record a call with 3rd party software). There will still be a desktop version but it will have talk to everything else on the computer differently, or as my hubby puts it "Microsoft wants everyone to use their crappy client".

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:41 pm

That's going to suck about third-party recording apps.

I'm curious as to how it will affect the Mac users.

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:21 pm

I am an MPN (part of the Microsoft Partner Network) and Microsoft is moving off from desktop application to cloud based apps. There are pros and cons, but I think it's for the better. (then again, I am biased Very Happy

)

Baiting Guru Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Posts: 21158

I am glad I only signed up for 3 months with minimal credit. The barsteads are nailing me at 2 seconds per penny. I can always do the chat stuff but I may let my number lapse if they scam me more than my pets.

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:09 am

No Kidding....I won't renew my Skype number if they wanna start jacking me on the service....

I don't need it to call the Darlings anyway.

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:34 am

Err, wait, I understood already that the third party programs such as Pamela won't be functioning anymore, but how does this effect the Skype number?

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:14 am

Maybe it's time to check out PoivY and VoxOx again...

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:48 am

You can use Audacity to record Skype calls. Personally, I have no idea how to do it, but I believe it's possible according to this:
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=72366

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:31 am

Skype wrote:

We’ve been working hard to develop new technologies and make improvements that will benefit Skype users across all platforms

Skype then wrote:

We have, therefore, decided to retire the Desktop API in December 2013

Fail.

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:29 pm

^^^In theory the change means that Skype will look and behave the same everywhere, including your desktop where it will still be available. "Desktop API" is just the name of the methods programmers use to interface with the Skype software. It's getting replaced with Microsoft URIs which are common across devices. It does mean future Skypes won't work with Linux.

Besides, Skype's a Microsoft product, what could go wrong. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:33 pm

bohigal wrote:

what could go wrong.

That phrase has it's very own meaning on this forum :p

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:11 pm

Simple description of the Skype desktop API.

Typical change: If you use a headset with call buttons, the buttons won't work any more. You'll have to use the onscreen buttons.

Btw am not a Microsoft or Skype employee, am just trying to dispel any panics. We will still be able to cause lad pain with Skype.

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:08 pm

^ Yeah, but we may not be able to record it. I got a message in Skype telling me, that my recorder will stop working with Skype by the end of 2013. That's how I came across that link in the first place.

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:56 pm

I use "Call Recorder" for the Mac (it's $30). I went to their home page and it says it will still work when Skype makes their changes.

That's a relief for the Mac users who use it.

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 3:08 pm

I've been threatening to build a hardware recorder for years now and I might have to just to avoid this crap. Line in, line out, pots to adjust for levels and an mp3 dictaphone. Future proof and completely reliable.

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 7:50 pm

I've already spammed another thread with this, but Amolto Skype Recorder is free and will work after the change according to their site

Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:00 am

Thanks for the info bohigal and everyone.

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 5:50 pm

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/07/skype_desktop_u_turn/

Stay of execution?

Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:21 pm

In the war on music piracy, the way around locked down music players is called the analog hole. It is the old Line out, record in on a second box. Many of us have a desktop and tablet, notebook, netbook, etc. I have been using netbooks for recording for a long time. It does not take much to add a small mixer for a full podcasting setup. Audacity works great and works on many platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux. It is free and Open Source.

Skype was probably trying to protect it's revenue stream of advertising. If 3rd party applications can use the service, but not display the ads, it make no money.

An option to using Skype is to use a SIP acocunt with your choice of softphone or hardware phone. If you pick up a free SIP account from IPPI, they have a SIP/Skype and SIP/Google Voice gateway. You can use SIP to make and receive Skype and Google Voice calls without ever using the Skype software and it's limitations.

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