September 15, 2006
Thought I’d try to NOT like Skype. I failed…
Okay, I like Skype. While I set up my account ages ago without any problems, IÂ decided to use Vonage as a work line because I wanted a “regular” phone. Well, now that Vonage is behind me, I’m using Skype more.
Initially, I didn’t want to like Skype because like Vonage, it has become a category unto itself. What I mean is, people can now say that they are using free Internet phone software that works (or doesn’t work) ”like Skype” and you know what they’re talking about. The same can be said for phone service that is ”like Vonage”.
And because Vonage didn’t work out for me, I tried hard not to be sold on Skype Hype.
Well I have to say that so far, Skype works perfectly for a computer-bound person like me, and here’s why:Â
- I am self-employed. I work out of my home office, I spend most of my time at my desk, and my laptop is always on.
- The Skype window is big enough to see what you’re doing, including the task icons along the top. Bigger is better especially when you are learning a new piece of software, or if you’re not a computer wiz.
- Adding contacts (one click) and importing contacts from your email address book (about three clicks) is easy and intuitive. Someone with limited computer experience can do it.
- Dialing by double-clicking the contact name is what saves me time. Of course this isn’t unique to Skype (all softphones, or computer phones do this). As a new user though, I made a few calls by accident because I double-clicked when I didn’t mean to. A single click expands the contact info so you can see the details. Another single click collapses the details. A few times I was too quick on the mouse.
- Until the end of the year you can make FREE calls within North America to any regular phone. This means you can really test drive Skype in all kinds of calling scenarios–long distance, local calls, conference calls. Make the most of the freebie and put Skype through its paces.
- If your contact permits it, Skype shows you that person’s timezone and a mood message. For example, “I’m here but in and out of meetings all day”.
- Skype online help information is approachable, fully searchable, and tailored to all levels of user. If you are a rank beginner the Skype User Guides or Troubleshooter are the places to visit. For all my questions, I’ve been successfull using the Knowledgebase.
Of course, devoted Skype users know there are tons more features and wiz-bang stuff that Skype can do. But I think that unless you’re happy with the basics, the rest of it won’t matter. You just won’t use the product.Â
In the next few weeks, I’ll be comparing how I like using Skype versus another popular softphone, Gizmo Project. Should be interesting.
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6 Comments on Thought I’d try to NOT like Skype. I failed… »
September 22, 2006
MuppetMaster @ 5:59 am:
Skype has done the UI/useability thing right, there is a lot to learn from them, including their viral growth tactics. While Skype has done much for the VoIP world in terms of driving it to the everday consumer and making it more commonplace to make calls from your computer, they are also the worst thing to come to the VoIP world. The closed and proprietary nature of their network is creating an island of VoIP users beholden to SkypeOut/PSTN for any interconnetivity with the broader VoIP world.
This model should have died when AOL and Compuserve lost their online walled gardens. When did email really become useful in the early days of consumer adoption of the internet? Once the early ISPs were forced to provide interconnect email to everyone else, instead of forcing people to sign up to multiple services to reach who they wanted.
Skype will have to open soon, or face a similar fate to the walled gardens that were so 90s.
(PS - Originally intended to post here but hit the wrong comment link.)
VOIPGirl @ 6:06 pm:
MuppetMaster,
Great points about Skype’s user interface (UI). But are they really “the worst thing to come to the VOIP world”? By that I mean that while Skype has certainly created an Uber-Brand, consumer loyalty may not be as strong as you think. The masses are a fickle bunch. If something comes along that is as easy to install and use as Skype AND is “open” and interconnected to the broader VOIP world as you say, I really think people will just switch and move on. By then they’ll be up to speed on the whole call anyone anywhere for free thing. Is Gizmo that product? Don’t know. While I’ve installed it and used it only for some test calls, it doesn’t quite have the same easy, transparent feel to it.
September 25, 2006
MuppetMaster @ 8:47 am:
If Skype were open and interconnected, then folks would not have to worry about ‘moving on’ to be able to talk to folks on other networks. This is no different than the closed email of the early days of Compuserve/AOL, and Skype will either change or go the way of Compuserve. If Skype waits to long they will be left behind, as even Adobe is looking to add SIP/VoIP standards to Flash…
VOIPGirl @ 5:38 pm:
Well said. Do you think that when the rubber hits the road, Skype will open up?
October 2, 2006
Rick @ 4:08 am:
Skype began closed and proprietary simply due to having capable technology to do the things they wanted to do and not have to answer and wait for standards groups. Mainly, they resolved the firewall issue and have had the best call completion rate of any service. That’s history now.
I believe Skype will re-evaluate the openess of their technology in light of many different factors. History does tell us that closed systems don’t last forever in this type of competitive environment where users can be choosers.
MuppetMaster @ 1:42 pm:
They will, or they will be left behind. I think this will happen sooner than later…