« Skype Dropped Calls
» Skype Indicators

Accelerating Innovation

Many to Many Gripes on Skype

Print This Post Print This Post | 10.06.03 | Stuart | 6 Comments

Danah, I really enjoy your blogs ConnectedSelves and Zephoria, and your latest entry on Many to Many. I can

6 Comments

  • On 10.07.03 zephoria wrote this:

    Stuart - thank you for such a rich response to my half-baked discontent. This is great material for me to chew on. In the meantime, i will provide my immediate reactions.

    First, i don’t have an account on Skype as it only supports Windows (mmm… Mac user here). I’ve watched it being used, played with others’ accounts, and read through the entire site. I realize that this is not the same as being a regular user, but i also know that i personally would never be a user even if i recognize its advantages for others. (Complicated dislike of audio-only communication.)

    Mindset. I think you are totally right that there are a million good scenarios… i just don’t see it as a replacement for either the cell or IM and i don’t think that it will appeal to all cell/IM groups.

    Intimacy. I do realize that most people drastically prefer voice to text (not me). That said, most people recognize that there are times when voice is just not a viable option.

    Managing Synchronicity. I totally agree that managing appropriate timing is a totally compelling feature of Skype; i also argued that i think that this will be coming soon on cells. That said, i also know that my body/mind is far more in tune with my availability than what i can articulate. I never remember to turn on “Busy” or return from being “Busy” in direct relation to the actuality. Articulation is hard.

    On quality & mobility. You are right in that i did not take into account WiFi. For me, part of the problem concerns form factor. Lugging my computer around to make phone calls is far less appealing than taking out my cell.

    Cost. I completely agree on this one; that’s why i noted the diaspora example as being a group who would truly value this.

    Voice IRC. Have you ever seen Raffi Krikorian’s “murmurized” (discussion can be found in his thesis at http://smg.media.mit.edu/papers/ )

    Anyhow, there are a few thoughts in response. But again, thanks!!

  • On 10.07.03 Jon wrote this:

    I am inferring from Zephoria’s comments that Skype will soon be available, for example on a Palm Tungsten or the high-end Blackberry.

    Is this the case, or for this will I have to wait until hahndhels support Windows 2000 or XP ?

    This will really make it a walkie-talkie, combined with the added possibilities you outline, and lead to real and dramatic changes in behaviour over time.

    No ?

  • On 10.07.03 Stuart wrote this:

    Danah and Jon, Thanks for your comments. There is recent discussion integrating cellphones and WiFi capability in the same device. Lugging laptops to make phone calls is not ever going to happen. From what I’ve seen the latest pocket PC’s have 400mhz processors. Thus they have the power, they just remain a little expensive. It would be a neat app in a large corporate environment. PDA / Phone office mobility with calendar and buddy integration in one application.

    To insure we all understand. Skype is not Audio only. Skype is a voice centric conversation enabler that contains traditional IM options (text - chat screen). You may use it for a traditional IM exchange or use it in place of a telephone call. For IM I’m sure in their next version “hyperlinks” will be activated. I’d also expect them to integrate a “send” file function. Sending files could impact on voice quality on some connections.

    Thanks for the link to the paper!

  • On 10.17.03 christianhauck wrote this:

    I have not yet skyped very often, but I watched myself and noticed a certain discomfort doing so. Calling someone you knew only by text exchange? How to start, talk about the weather? Talking to people with “deep thoughts” (sorry, I don’t find a better expression) can become quite superficial at the skype phone. And: how to end? We’re lacking social norms, currently. At least I feel somewhat uncomfortable, possibly due to my visual thinking style.
    And yet: we’re where the action is. We are just shaping an important aspect of the future. It’s so weak yet, what happens here and now will have a huge impact. This is the tipping point.
    Thanks, Stuart, Danah, Phil, and all you other activists.

    christian

  • On 10.17.03 Stuart wrote this:

    Christian, Thank you for sharing. I understand your reservation, and yet calls that begin “beside the water cooler” or “like a coffee” break can turn into something surprisingly meaningful. My sense is there is greater power in a blogging network that also talks and texts from time to time.

    I had one such call today. Surprising revelations came out very quickly. Yes I follow his blog, we’ve never spoken, and now my ears are more “tuned” to things that might interest him and engage me. It was pretty cool. Total calls to date to different people on Skype probably 50+. My buddy list is now a similar length. Just want some better sorting and managment tools

    I’ve also seen received some interesting comments re introverts and extroverts and texting vs voice.

    I’m looking forward to connecting with you. We can always explore “social norms” and skype implications.

  • On 11.22.03 Robin Good' Sharewood Tidings wrote this:

    Skype Problems Confirmed

    Skype is a revolutionary voice-over-IP technology that keeps bringing attention to its many unique and impressive capabilities. The tools is in beta and it is free to use (PC users only). As I have been reporting before, Skype ability to provide a reli…


« Skype Dropped Calls
» Skype Indicators