The Obvious: Skype Interface on the Mac Sucks

[lukejr]

I have to add my voice this this, the Skype interface on Mac really does suck. 5.7 the latest version hasn't improved it either.

It is just way too big, there is no compact view available and it's just needs a complete rethink. Ideally make it similar to Skype on the PC or Google Talk.

If all you did with the current version was make it possible to remove List, Location, Star columns it would improve it greatly and why is the Status column so wide!

[dg13]

Thanks to those who posted how to get back to previous version.  This is HORRIBLE.  I agree with most of the points raised here, but my biggest grips is with highjacking my address book.  What's with that?  I hoped that someone would have a brilliant idea of how to remove it from Skype, but see that this issue is only raised once by someone else not happy with this 'improvement'.
Hate the idea of the FB link.  People do not need to (or even want to) know who I am skyping with! 

Black status icon:  bad idea. 

Grrrr.

[rwakeford]

you don't have to remove the address book. Just go to Preferences/General and untick "Show address book". I couldn't agree more about the black icon though.

[montylee]

My mistake on an earlier reply. To get the Mac downloads, you enter mac.oldapps.com/Skype.php and there are all the old versions. Back up and running with 5.6!

[soesraider]

For anyone wanting to roll back to v2.8 and having a hard time finding it on OldApps. I've posted the last version of 2.8 to my site:

http://www.kalscopeinc.com/members/Skype_2.8.0.866.dmg

After this, Skype moved to 5.x. Hope that helps.

PS: FWIW, 2.8 uses far fewer resources, the computer runs cooler, and it's more user friendly. I'm glad I rolled back.

[mduggan]

I joined just to add another frustrated user voice.  I've used skype for years and eagerly upgraded when v5 came out.  I only have a 13" macbook, and I tried and tried and just couldn't manage to find a configuration where it used less than 1/4 of my screen.

Maybe it's an acceptable size for the Skype UI designers with their twin 30" cinema displays?  Maybe they don't actually *have* UI designers, just some messed up genetic algorithm gone wrong?  How would we even tell?

I'm still using 2.8, even though I always thought *it* was a bit too big.  Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

[delmarcy]

Since this is a Skype forum uh... do you think they are going to address any of these issues???

I am new to MAC...  I have MAC OSX Power PC G5 Leopard 10.5.8 (non Intel)

What version should I use to be able to even use Skype???? I just spent 45.00 on

Icecam2 and I get no video????  Geez needing wine now..

---

GarrettCobarr wrote:

I came here for pretty much the same reasons to see if I could correct my Skype interface problems but I see now everyone has the same issues. I was going to ask how I could increase the width of columns so that when I reduce the window size, which is far too large now, I am able to see more than 3 or 4 letters of my contact. I could not give a **bleep** about the star and tags column and wish I could delete them or move them to the far right out of view.

I have been a UX and interface designer for over 25 years, I have to say this is one of the worst executions of the craft I have seen in sometime, not the worst, there is lots of competition.

The single window concept is a complete failure. They have removed or hobbled a number of useful features. Skype seems to have the idea that the window should dominate the screen.

I loved it when I could have a narrow window at the right of my screen, see people come and go and pop a note to them. Now I have to hide the window while I work, I miss people coming on and responding to a missive by me. Skype used to be larger part of my daily activity now it is gradually declining.

Oh well, wait for some competition and leave them.

---

[fitz]

It really is rubbish. Designed by fools.

[Rooooooty]

Yeah, version 5 still sucks. I've been using 2.8 all along and will continue to do so until it stops working. It's not for the lack of trying version 5 though, I've downloaded each iteration only to dump it immediately. Attempting to force a bloated Windows interface on Mac users was never a good idea.

It seems that Skype are laughing at users -- as they've been pimping this rubbish for 18 months plus now with no sign of "getting the message".

[Zdravac]

I'm also waiting some app that will be able to make Facebook video calling, and than --> BYE BYE Skype.

PS
I paid for a subscription, and also for Premium, but newer mind - anyway I'll stop using Skype