skype

Registry Scans On Skype

I woke up today and discovered that Mr. Registry Scan had contacted me over Skype. Apparently, Windows requires immediate attention and security center has detected malware on my computer. A funny joke considering that I bet it wouldn’t be discovered unless I clicked on the link provided within the message.

If Mr. Registry scan ends up contacting you through Skype, immediately block him and DO NOT click on the link provided within the message.

I hope I don’t have to look forward to being bombarded with messages from Skype accounts with spam. That would become seriously annoying. This is one of the reasons why I never use the SkypeMe! availability option.

Skype Releases Version 3.5

Skype.com LogoSkype, the popular VoIP client has released version 3.5 of their software. This release includes a number of additional features. Some of these features include:

  • Sharing Videos: Contacts can now watch your favorite videos when they click on your mood message.
  • Video Snapshots: You can now captures snapshots of friends or family during video calls. You can then use a frame from that video capture as your profile picture.
  • Skype Prime: Skype Prime has launched into Beta and is a global marketplace for sharing and learning skills. You can get paid to helpe people around the world by offering all kinds of advice, or use the service to learn something new. In effect, you can now create your own help line and be paid for it.
  • Call Transfers: Skype users can now transfer calls to Skype Contacts. If you are a Skype Pro Subscriber, you can transfer calls to mobile and landlines as well.

That Skype Prime feature seems interesting considering many Americans are becoming fed up with calling support centers filled with folks who can’t speak our native tongue fluently, resulting in a massive amount of frustration. Perhaps we can take support matters into our own hands.

Download the latest version of Skype here.

JiWire Wins Skype Mashup Cup 07

Skype.com LogoJiWire HotSpot finder has won the U.S. Skype Mashup Cup for 2007. This Skype addon lets users locate WiFi hotspots from anywhere in the world.

JiWire In Action

Through Skype, JiWire searches over 140,000 hotspots spread out amongst 134 countries. Supposedly the largest database of hotspots in the world. JiWire searches for both paid and free hotspots and also gives users the ability to search by location such as a city name, zip code or by using a specific keyword. What will likely become the most used feature is the ‘Find Me‘ button. This will find WiFi hotspots in and around your current location.

To give this Skype addon a try, visit The Skype Extras Page

Skype Blaming Redmond For Outage

Skype.com LogoAfter initially telling users that the downtime experienced last week was due to an authentication glitch, Skype is now blaming Microsoft for the downtime. Here is the supposedly real reason why their service went down:

“The disruption was initiated by a massive restart of our user’s computers across the globe within a very short timeframe as they re-booted after receiving a routine software update.” This is presumably the Windows updates that were sent out on Patch Tuesday last week, which required the PC to be restarted.

“The abnormally high number of restarts affected Skype’s network resources,” the company adds. “This caused a flood of log-in requests, which, combined with the lack of peer-to-peer network resources, prompted a chain reaction that had a critical impact.”

Maybe it’s just me, but this seems like a lame excuse. Come on guys, Microsoft can’t be blamed for everything. This excuse sounds like something those guys from The Onion would cook up.