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Kazaa and Skype Co-founder Interviewed

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the changing-the-world-around-one dept.

karvind writes "BBC is running is an interview with Niklas Zennström, the internet entrepreneur behind both Kazaa and Skype, about how his two inventions came about, and how broadband and wireless devices are shaping his vision for the future. From the interview: "On the other hand, Skype, just like Kazaa and other software, are encouraging people to buy broadband connections.""

7 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. Re:position on spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Spyware was added to Kazaa by Sharman after they bought the rights to it. The original Kazaa developers did not include any spyware. Get your facts straight.

  2. Skype is not overrated by Knights+who+say+'INT · · Score: 1, Informative

    Technologically, Skype doesn't bring anything new to the table, true. NetMeeting had voice chat back in the day. Still, the compression algorithm is pretty good, and it's the only way to engage in voice chat between platforms.

    I'm on a Mac and it's been a boon for me and my Windows-using long-distance girlfriend. There's a Linux version as well.

    1. Re:Skype is not overrated by Apreche · · Score: 2, Informative

      teamspeak can do voice chat between platforms. But its not the same as skype.

      IM:Skype::IRC:Teamspeak

      --
      The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
  3. Re:how easy is skype? by Dot.Com.CEO · · Score: 2, Informative

    Using it behind NAT on Mac and Linux, no problems at all.

    --
    Mother is the best bet and don't let Satan draw you too fast.
  4. Re:how easy is skype? by kannibal_klown · · Score: 2, Informative
    How easy is it to use skype (esp. behind NAT)?


    That's part of the allure of Skype... it's easy to set up out of the box and works perfectly behind NATs.

    How-to:
    1. Install Skype
    2. Register for account (pretty simple)
    3. You're done :)

    At least, that's been my experience with Skype on PC and Mac behind a NAT. And my NAT usually interferes with most stuff unless I do port-forwarding (which Skype doesn't need).
  5. Re:position on spyware by Jugalator · · Score: 2, Informative

    One thing I'd like to know is their position on spyware and why it has to be installed along with the actual program?

    Err, it's not.

    This wasn't Niklas idea, it was the idea of Sharman Networks.

    And Skype actually doen't have spyware at all.

    This has to be among the most common misunderstandings of Kazaa and this guy and it always comes up in these discussions.

    --
    Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
  6. Re:I will give some credit. Some negative too. by Koguma · · Score: 1, Informative
    Here you go you lazy bastard:

    http://support.skype.com/index.php?_a=knowledgebas e&_j=questiondetails&_i=70&nav2=General

    Why is Skype better than Net2Phone, ICQ, AIM, MSN, etc?

    Because it works! Most Voice-over-IP applications don't work from behind firewalls and NAT (Network Address Translation) devices. Nearly all broadband users are behind a NAT or firewall and so they cannot use VoIP applications. Skype is not a typical VoIP application - it's P2P Telephony! Because of its advanced design, Skype works behind nearly any firewall and NAT!