Jun 252009
 

A few days ago, I upgraded to Skype 4.

I use Skype for overseas telephone calls a lot. I also call a few people occasionally using Skype-to-Skype. And, every once in a while, I use it to chat with people.

I have heard bad things about Skype 4 so I was not in a hurry to upgrade. But when, the other day, the software notified me that a major upgrade is available, I decided to give it a try.

Wish I didn’t.

The installation completed successfully, and Skype worked fine, but… well, it’s best if I just quote a few sentences from Skype’s own Web site where the new version was announced:

  • Skype 4.0 should certainly participate in the worst software redesign conquest.
  • Worst interface ever created for Skype and i’ve been using it ever since the 1st beta. Please dump this garbage
  • Skype 4.0 has an extreme ugly layout.
  • 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.
  • Who are you people and what were you thinking when you released this kludge.
  • ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE INTERFACE
  • Skype 4.0.x is PAINFUL and FRUSTRATING TO USE.
  • I think this is the ‘vista’ of skype releases.
  • What where you thinking. Did you guys outsource? This version has all the hallmarks of a design by committee.
  • 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…

I share these sentiments. This morning, I gave up and downgraded to the 3.8 version. Which is working fine, as always.

 Posted by at 1:39 pm