Skype: Fix Skype For The Mac.
January 5th, 2010I cannot even begin to tell you how many problems I have had with Skype for the Mac. I’ll start with a few things below:
User Interface
Horrible. Almost all Mac apps that I use have a decent User Interface and easy to use. Not Skype. The user screen for skype in my opinion is Pretty ugly, which is rare for me to say about a Mac app since most look similar in how they’re built. Skype for Windows has a by FAR better UI, and MUCH easier to use.
Lacks Features
If someone drops from the call and all the people use a Mac, and the host is away: tough luck. Skype for the Mac has no ability to add people if you aren’t the host. Skype for Windows can do it easily, but Skype for Mac doesn’t even have the feature built in.
Crashy
Skype for the Mac crashes more than any other Mac app combined. It almost reaches Firefox-like level, which if you’ve seen crash ratings on Firefox on my Mac, it is very very sad. Skype for Windows almost never crashes, and flows easily when it quits & opens. Skype for the Mac, however, takes almost 25 seconds just to quit out of the app. If you’re in a call, Skype freezes up for about 10 seconds before deciding to finally quit normally. Skype crashes 90% of the time whenever someone is added to a skype conference and my mic is either muted or on hold. I’ve also had skype crashes whenever i try to unmute my mic and then adjust my volume bar on the call.
Skype Chat
Skype chat is actually one of the only good things made by Skype and actually in my opinion is a tad better than Windows. Windows Skype users always start a new chat regardless of whether a new call was made or not, which isn’t too annoying but it does get on my nerves when after a skype call ends i am in 5+ conferences. However, on a more positive note, Skype Chat for the Mac is pretty decent. It works and looks nice. Of course, skype chat also at times causes the whole app to crash, but I do not put the blame on Skype Chat itself.
Skype recently announced that they would make Skype Video Calls in HD. They need to work on getting Skype for the Mac working decently first, because if they integrate HD video calls and don’t fix the app, we will now have more opportunities to see “Skype has quit unexpectedly” windows.
Skype, I will refuse to use Windows just for one application. So get going on Skype 3.0(or 4.0) NOW.
I will have to completely disagree with the interface.
While Skype for Mac has less features than the Windows Counterpart, as expect the Windows interface is over crowded and WAY to big. The Skype for Mac interface seems to stick to the simple and clean interface of Mac.
I don't really miss any of the features of Skype for Windows. That being said I only use Skype for Windows about 1/10th of the time.
Crashy, Not really – It does take a lot of processing power, and memory at points – but it doesnt crash much. Certainly not as stable as it could be.
That being said – I don't use Skype for many large calls, I use Vent. The larger the call is the more problems you have with users, internet, etc. Especially considering your screwed if the host has problems. I find Skype to be good for small chats of 2 or 3 people. And has a great Video Chat. It also has a great ease of use for someone who has kids overseas, and that there real market besides podcasters.
Thanks for your feedback – I’ve passed this on to the Skype for Mac team, so you can rest assured that they’ll take it on board. Please keep it coming – the more comments we receive, the better our products will be :)
Thanks for your feedback – I’ve passed this on to the Skype for Mac team, so you can rest assured that they’ll take it on board. Please keep it coming – the more comments we receive, the better our products will be :)
I'm so pissed at the skype team.
I've looked all over the internet fix for my problem.
Everytime I run skype it relentlessly crashes with a long error box.
They should make it dependable.
It's worked fine for me up til this crash.
It's actually very sad. : The night I get a webcam, skype crashes.
Skype started crashing on my iMAC (OSX 10.5.8) about a month ago. No apparent reason. Opens great; people can skype me but as soon as I try to iniciate a call or chat myself the thing just shuts down.
iSync has also gone south but that’s by the by.
Why are you still on Leopard? Are you on an iMac G-series?