While chatting with a friend, she told me something shocking about Skype. We both have an interest in Internet radio, and I had started bitching that other broadcasters want to do lots of things at once, including taking calls with Skype, and Goddess knows what else. “They just don’t seem to get that they only have so much band width.” I lamented. “Yeah,” she said, “because Skype is peer-to-peer.” This stopped me in my tracks. I had no idea. I did some quick research, and indeed verified it for myself.
I felt stunned. For those who don’t know, this means that every computer carries data for other computers on the Skype network, irregardless of activity. “Yup,” my friend said, “That means that it uses up your bandwidth even while not using it, so you have less for Internet audio.” That really started me on a nice little paranoid streak. Imagine my shock when in my research-enduced rage, I found out something even more awful: that in 2005, Ebay purchased Skype! As the referenced article points out, Ebay has made some horrendous statements regarding their over-willingness to comply with law enforcement. It only requires a letterhead on a fax, and they will turn over everything.
For these two reasons, I will never use Skype again, except at the utmost of need, like when one of my Skype friends forces me to, and even then it will only happen with a great deal of complaining and making fun. Sorry, guys! Add another of my oddities to the list. Even though the title of this article proclaims that I will never use it again, I know that evil has ways of draggin the innocent back into its web. Just don’t expect me or require me to remain online regularly. Now that I think about it, I consider this a blessing – I abhor the way Skype’s chats steal focus, rankling Windows with its false priority. What of alternatives, I hear you ask? I don’t know. I don’t have any answers right now, only questions. I’ll have more to write though, and hopefully can provide a solution. This disgusts me. Stop using Skype!
I remember when the now defunct RPR Radio used Skype for everything – broadcasters, callers, everything. The same goes for the We the People Radio Network. Everyone ooed and aaed at the ease, though I did somewhat cringe at the audio quality with Skype’s trademark distortion, easily identified by anyone with ears to hear.
Many of my radio friends still use it for taking calls. I want to stop them, but know I cannot rescue the ones I follow. STOP USING SKYPE! I know that nobody will listen, and that you all will just keep using it – “It’s just so easy!!!” I can hear the chorus of cries now. Enjoy your crappy audio and having your privacy violated. Soylent Green is people!
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I just came upon your blog after reading your response to the Freedom Scientific vs. GW Micro lawsuit. I tried Skype on my previous computer and couldn’t really figure it out anyway. Now that I read your blog post about Skype I’m even more befuddled. How dare they! I guess nobody on Skype will be hearing from me anytime soon and you can count on that!