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Skype Issues Software Fix For Windows and Mac Users
jbrodkin writes "Skype has released a new version of its Windows software to fix the problem that has kept some Skype users from logging in and making calls yesterday, and plans to issue a similar update to Mac users later today, the company said. Skype, which is in the process of being sold to Microsoft for $8.5 billion, previously gave users instructions on how to fix the problem, which involved deleting a 'shared.xml' file. While Windows and Mac users are being given a software fix, Linux users still have to fix the problem manually (but they can handle it). Still unknown is what caused the Skype outage. Skype said it affected only a small percentage of users, but hasn't explained the cause. Skype has at least updated its status page to reflect the outage, however. Even after issuing yesterday's fix instructions, the status page had claimed for a while that sign in and registration were 'all working normally.'"
The Skype network is certainly interesting. It's based on peer-to-peer architecture that can sustain itself and requires only small amount of centralized infrastructure. Last time the network was affected after a buggy software update Skype only added more of their own supernodes to the network to stabilize it and later shut them down. It's certainly great use of P2p technology. If you think about it, the normal phone network is really centralized too. Even if you're just calling your neighbor your phone call goes far away to exchange. But with Skype the users with good network and computers can become supernodes and the data travels in the network. And it's still really fast! If you think about it, the normal phone network could be compared to a brothel - a central dirty place where the transactions happen. But Skype's P2P model allows the client to travel the network on its own. You take your neighbor node and tell him if you want a woman or ladyboy tonight. You choose ladyboy and he guides you to the correct direction. He's not a pimp tho, just a friendly neighbor on the network. Soon you see a group of fine ladyboys and start processing them. First one has too small boobs. Move to the next one. You don't like the face, next one. Ugh, looks too much like a guy. At ladyboy number six there's a match and your Skype client tells her you have this group protocol extension. The ladyboy client can handle it too, so all three of you handshake and start the process. Now with normal phone network that wouldn't be possible - if the call exchange (brothel) doesn't have the extension (group fun) implemented, you're out of luck.
Supernodes and P2P network is also the reason Skype works so good and easily with NAT networks too. If both of you are behind NAT, the supernodes on the network will relay your traffic. Is there anything similar on the open source clients? As far as I know they're pretty much based on the old client-server model.
article is about sony fyi
I was hoping Skype would take the opportunity to update the 2 year old Linux 2.1.0.81 version (which did NOT crash and could dial without problem to non affected users). We don't all use Ubuntu.
Take Nobody's Word For It.
Where's the fix for Linux? Surely that was affected as well?
Wait, Linux only has version 2.2 Beta and they are up to version 5 on Windows & Mac? Never mind...
I call it 'The Aristocrats'
You will have to install windows version, copy the 'shared.xml' from it to your Linux version. Nice isn't it?
Is this a hoax for those who don't read TFA? If so, well played.
There are rumors that Google is opening their Google talk (and video) to whole world in next month. And there is a Linux client for it. So, Skype can die.
Why do you guys want updates for this evil proprietary software?
Why don't you use the better* free (as in freedom) software?
*Remember, free (as in freedom) software is always better, even when it isn't.
It's a trap!
Isn't this the automatic patch that they mentioned yesterday? It fixes the same issue people were having before, but without the manual operation of:
Windows
1.If the Skype icon is displayed in the system tray at the bottom right of the screen, right-click it and select Quit.
2.Click Start, type "run" and press Enter. (On Windows XP: Click Start and then Run.)
3.Type "%appdata%\skype" and click OK.
4.Locate and delete the file shared.xml. The file may be displayed as shared if file extensions are not displayed by default on your computer.
5.If you cannot find this file: Click Start, type "run" and press Enter. (On Windows XP: Click Start and then Run.)
Type "control folders" and click OK.
In the View tab, ensure that Show hidden files and folders is enabled.
Repeat the instructions from the beginning.
6.Restart Skype.
Mac
1.Open Finder and locate the following folder:
~/Library/Application Support/Skype
2.Delete the file shared.xml.
3.Restart Skype.
The ~ sign means your home folder. You can find your home folder by opening Finder and selecting Go > Home from the menu bar or pressing Command (Apple), Shift and H keys at the same time.
Linux /home/YourLinuxUserName/.Skype
1.Go to the following folder:
2.Delete the file shared.xml.
3.Restart Skype.
The Skype folder is a hidden folder - please check Show hidden files in your file browser to view and access it.
This info is obtained from: http://heartbeat.skype.com/
Didn't someone just announce they had cracked Skype encryption? Could this be because of that?
Dude, where's my packet?
I had absolutely no interest in Skype until it was purchased by MS. I had no trust in the original creator of the product nor those that purchased it afterwords. It will be interesting to see how it is incorporated into their product line. I can really see it being valueable in their Office 365 lineup.
> Didn't someone just announce they had cracked Skype encryption? ..
Yea, fortunately it rapidly got modded off the bottom of the screen, so nobody noticed.
http://www.techeye.net/security/skypes-encryption-destroyed-by-phonemes
It seems the mere mention of Microsoft buyout is allowing the gypsy gremlins to teleport from Redmond to Luxembourg. Get used to it... next Skype update under Microsoft will most likely demand a reboot...then the patches will come...I can't wait to see how it's going to work when we compete with Window's live bandwith and the XBox kiddies chatting.... thank the dielectric gods there is Google Talk.
Agreed. I don't need multi-user video, so I'm fine with Skype 2.8 on Mac (gotten on oldversion.com)
Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
Like Linux users need their egos stroked any more... ;)
Have you ever noticed how often you fall in to that famous "small percentage" of users?
Lotteries also only pay off a "small percentage" their players, but somehow I don't end up in that small percentage group nearly as often.
Moderation hint: Insightful+1.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
A while ago I upgraded Skype to version 5. Lo and behold... my history list was gone! Disappeared!
In place of the history list, where I could go and see all my incoming and outgoing calls in chronological order, and listen to ALL of my voicemail, what did it have? It had some kind of bollixed-up system whereby I had a list of "recent" calls, (but only recent... the ability to see long past calls was not there) and other than that, I had to click on a "contact" to see the calls I had received from that contact.
So what is the problem? I usually get more calls from people NOT in my contact list than from people who are... and there is no way to retrieve a voicemail from someone who is not in my contact list! Even though they CAN leave me voicemails!
I contacted Skype and was told that it was an oversight (!!) and that their "technicians" (I assume she meant programmers) were working diligently on the problem. Yet here it is months later, and this "oversight" has not been fixed! I am back to running Skype version 2, because at least that is fully functional!
Now, I don't know what kind of product manager thinks that putting all incoming calls under the "contacts" is much of a feature, but putting voicemails under the contacts and removing the chronological call list is the act of a real moron. Hint, Skype: you know how the old answering machines worked? Where your calls were all in order? That works! The arrangement you have now does not.
Other than that I like Skype 5. But unless and until they fix this problem, I'm not going to upgrade.
anything greater than v4 and you will be bombarded with adverts/popups/overlays/embedded MSIE/2o7 analytics and other such user hostile annoyances.
the users are complaining about it
https://encrypted.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+site:forum.skype.com+skype+5+adverts
and Microsoft want more adverts ? good luck with that $8b userbase fleeing as fast as they can.
Screw Skype. XMPP Jingle is where it's at: Standards for the win. We don't need Skype to get this functionality.
Furries make the internet go.
I thought linux users were supposed to be able to just read the code, figure out what was wrong and compile a fixed version themselves. I thought they wouldn't have had to wait for directions from skype on what to do. Or was the problem trying to read Microsoft code and figure out where the noodles are all going?
Hello, caller 1, who do you ascribe the Skype fiasco to?
I think it was a dejected Skype ex-employee too chicken to inhale the carbon monoxide from his Prius?
Nice try, but he'd lose all car pool lane privileges that way, next! Yes, caller2? Who do you think?
Paul Reiser?
The stand up comic? I think you mean HANS Reiser! Sorry but he's in the slammer right now, but thanks for playing. Next!
Terry Childs?
Still coughing up the payment for damages for San Fran, next!
Cowboy Neal?
I swear officer, I was at Lucasfilms er I mean Pixar when it all happened! Here's the photo of me and the lamp, as you can see, I am also holding up yesterday's paper as proof! It's one of my eccentricities as /. editor! Next!
Here's an idea for you - find out a little more about what you are talking about before you write anything. It'll mean less chance of looking like a plonker.
The Skype program on ALL OSes is *CLOSED SOURCE*! That means that nobody, apart from Skype people, get to see the source code.
Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
True linux users won't use anything that's not completely open source. Why don't you go back to your windoze machine and weep.
Oooh, another one! But this time wrong on two accounts, not just one.
1. I've been using (and working) with Linux for about 15 years, UNIX for about 25 years. I became a Red Hat Certified Engineer back in 2001 and at home use Gentoo Linux 80% of the time and XP for 20% of the time.
2. I have no problem paying for a closed-source application if the price is right and the application is good enough. That's because a computer is a device for productivity & entertainment. I am, and always have been, as OS fiddler, I like open platforms and being able to install what I like when I like. However, I'm no hippie with a need to make any political statements.
Therefore, the word is "Fail". Please try again.
Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
True Linux users won't come out of their parents' basements.
Yes, us linux users can fix the problem, we drink beer (canada) or vodka (russian) until one of us in our drunken stooper writes a replacement client.