Skype introduces advertising

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geek4me

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#104135 15-Jun-2012 15:16

Now that Microsoft have bought Skype they are introducing advertising during phone conversations when video is used.

The beauty of Skype is that it has always been commercial free - until now. I would find advertisements intrusive especially as there have been none before. What do you think of this idea? More information is available here and also here.

Oh no, not another end of the world prediction

billgates

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#641443 15-Jun-2012 15:25

Skype announced and introduced in call advertising in September 2011 when they released Skype 5.6. Microsoft officially acquired the company in October. No ad's for paid members who buy subscription etc btw.

http://blogs.skype.com/garage/2011/09/skype_56_for_windows_with_improved_screen_sharing_release_notes.html

Do whatever you want to do man.

geek4me

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#641512 15-Jun-2012 17:16

Well I guess advertising is better than a 15 year jail sentence for using Skype like in Ethiopia as reported here. Advertising is better than jail.

vexxxboy

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#641519 15-Jun-2012 17:24

its still cheaper to call South Africa by Skype than phone so a few adds wont matter and i wont buy anything off adds i didnt ask for or want , thats my policy.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#641522 15-Jun-2012 17:30

So you get free calls and complain about having advertising?

As pointed out, advertising came out before Microsoft acquired Skype, so there goes the conspiracy theory that this is a move by the evil corporation.

farcus

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#641538 15-Jun-2012 17:56

can you avoid the advertising by using an older version of skype?

I use skype on linux and don't see any ads.

foobar

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#642941 19-Jun-2012 09:13

Yes, older versions don't show it. Skype on Linux doesn't show ads either, at least up to version 2.1. However, they recently have released Skype 4.0 for Linux (which seems to work quite well, and is much appreciated especially from a company that traditionally hasn't provided much in way of Linux support). Still haven't had a chance to use it with a video call, so don't know if the latest Linux version has the ads.

However, even if ads are shown, nothing will stop me from moving the video window to the side of the screen until the ad itself is not visible anymore.

In general, I can't fault companies trying to monetize their investments. And since video chat is for free, ads seem to be one way in which this can be done.

On the other hand, what bugs me much more about Skype, is that it is closed source and therefore cannot be examined for any back-doors or other issues.

nutbugs

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#642963 19-Jun-2012 09:40

As long as there is a paid ad free option - which there is - I do not see a problem. It is a "free' service - which is obviously not zero cost to provide.

Seems to me that if you have skype credit then you do not see these ads? Add a couple of dollars credit and bypass the ads if they are a problem for you :)

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theEd

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#642986 19-Jun-2012 10:07

freitasm: So you get free calls and complain about having advertising?

Everyone wants something for nothing. I haven't used Skype myself for years because I find the software to be bloatware (and 2talk calls are cheap enough anyway), but I still install it for family members so they can keep in touch with friends and family overseas. It's just much easier to use than any of the alternatives.

farcus

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#643200 19-Jun-2012 14:18

foobar: However, they recently have released Skype 4.0 for Linux (which seems to work quite well, and is much appreciated especially from a company that traditionally hasn't provided much in way of Linux support). Still haven't had a chance to use it with a video call, so don't know if the latest Linux version has the ads.

no ads in skype 4.0 linux.
Used it a few times now. The updates do seem largely cosmetic.

gzt

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#643551 20-Jun-2012 04:22

Usually have credit so I'm not too worried. Mild concern that ads will bog slower connections for partners without credit but skype are usually very smart about avoiding things like that.

What concerns me more - how complex the Skype UI is becoming. It used to do one thing really well and this was the reason it was widely adopted very quickly. Last time I used the linux/ubuntu version it was simlar to the original windows version - good. The current Windows and Mac versions suffer badly from multiple window configuration options getting out of control and making what should be simple navigation very complex.

OptimizerHQ

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#653574 10-Jul-2012 15:08

I feel its not a big problem and if we are receiving something for 100 % free then we should also support
them to keep it free forever.