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Skype update... does it suck as badly as it seems?
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Kristin Lennox
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Joined: 30 Apr 2011
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 8:36 am    Post subject: Skype update... does it suck as badly as it seems? Reply with quote

I had a directed session this morning, so I used Skype, like I always have, to call her cell phone. The call totally dropped about fifteen minutes in, then every time I tried to dial her back, it beeped then hung up.

Angry

I had to use a cell phone to finish the session. Fortunately, it was a producer-friend, so she was totally cool with it... but has this happened to anyone else? Is it time to ditch Skype? Should I try to revert back to Old Skype?

If I'm going to switch to something else, it needs to be easy -- there's not much room left in my brain for more tech stuff... {sigh}
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Bruce
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Skype just forced me to update this morning... wouldn't run the previous version. I'll let you know if it craps out. It has been amazingly stable the past couple of years. I've had as many as four clients call into a session and it's worked well.



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FinMac
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:28 am    Post subject: Last week Reply with quote

Just Skyped with someone last week. It broke up tons of times so we ended our conversation. He thought it was on his end but I have my doubts.

Will try again next Monday and see if it is any better.
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Eddie Eagle
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If it's just a connection you need Source Connect Now is not a bad alternative.
You have to run it on Chrome though.
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Kristin Lennox
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eddie Eagle wrote:
If it's just a connection you need Source Connect Now is not a bad alternative.


I thought of that, and it would be good to connect with someone on their computer. But if I need to call someone's phone number, or call into a conference call, I need something else.

What about Google Hangouts? Would that be a good substitute?
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Eddie Eagle
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Never used Hangouts so I'm no good Lips Are Sealed Smile
WhatsApp may be a good alternative.
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Art
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Joined: 27 Sep 2017
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to use Skype to do an hour-long podcast. Sometimes it was so flawless it sounded like the guest was in the same room with me, other times it was a nightmare of calling people back repeatedly after dropped calls and quite embarrassing. The latter case seemed to happen most when someone was using the Skype app on a phone.

Something that improved the frequency of smooth experiences was setting Skype to a high priority in my router. Here's the PC Magazine article where I learned to do this:

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400354,00.asp

You may already know about that, but it's what worked for me.
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Kristin Lennox
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Art wrote:
Something that improved the frequency of smooth experiences was setting Skype to a high priority in my router.


Thanks for that tip! Have you tried it since the upgrade?

Unfortunately I'm reading horror story after horror story of Skype fails after the upgrade, so I fear not much will help it.

Why'd they mess with it?? Angry
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Art
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kristin Lennox wrote:
Thanks for that tip! Have you tried it since the upgrade?


I haven't, but changing the router setting might help a little.

I always hope each update is to keep hackers from eavesdropping, but who knows?
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Deirdre
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This latest "upgrade" has made it nearly impossible to use. Not the connexion per se, but the interface is farking narts.
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Mike Harrison
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 4:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow. Sounds like quite the nightmare. Who owns Skype?
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Kristin Lennox
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just don't think I can trust using it anymore... I got lucky that this was a very casual session -- if it were with a new producer/company, I'd be mortified. Embarrassed
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Matto
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Joined: 27 Nov 2007
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Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If it's calling out, I use ipDTL.
I've also had clients call me on Zoom.us (using both phone and computers)

I'm still trying to find a good option for patching in my VOIP office line to my studio. I use the service Ooma, but they currently don't have a way to call from your computer.

My trust in Skype evaporated into a minuscule fizzle of nothingness after they led me through some horrifyingly poor process to try to regain access to my principal (and paid) account. Their customer service department is practically non-existent. The story is so long, it's just not worth it.
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FinMac
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike Harrison wrote:
Wow. Sounds like quite the nightmare. Who owns Skype?


It was started in Estonia, but it was bought by Microsoooft Cry
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Tim Jackson



Joined: 21 Nov 2017
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kristin Lennox wrote:

What about Google Hangouts? Would that be a good substitute?


Sound quality on Hangouts is horrible at all times, not just on a slow connection.

Skype will sound pretty decent and stay pretty stable if both ends are on wired connections or if you use Skype to call a landline. If anyone uses wireless it doesn't work as well (including any connection on a cell phone).

The overall quality of using ipDTL or BodalgoCall or anything that uses the Opus codec are better than Skype, but they still need wired connections for good results.
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