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Skype Down?

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Old 22nd Dec 2010, 17:58
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Skype Down?

Evening all, anyone having trouble signing into skype? I haven't been able to sign in for over an hour now and the website is tempremental - probably because of the number of hits its getting from disconnected users. Let me know if you're having similar problems. Thanks.
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Old 22nd Dec 2010, 18:30
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No connection at all for me.
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Old 22nd Dec 2010, 18:47
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There is a message in the troubleshooting part of their website apologising

(can't get to it now as their server must be very busy)
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Old 22nd Dec 2010, 19:33
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Courtesy of 'The Register'

Skype goes tits up across globe

Mass supernode death

Have they perchance withdrawn Julian's access? (That's my bit...)
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Old 22nd Dec 2010, 20:47
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Take this with a pinch of salt then

23,899,642 people online right now - or so says their homepage.

To quote

Mr Parkes said Skype is building "mega-supernodes" to fix the problem, but that it could take a few hours before service returns and even longer before some features - such as group video calling - start working again.

Not just supernodes but 'mega-supernodes'. I've no idea what this means . Too old at 57.
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Old 22nd Dec 2010, 22:28
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I knowed this would happen. (Spoken in a Gabby voice.) [You've got to be really old to remember how that sounds.]


Skype relies on a network of computers and phones to keep things running and some of these are what Skype call Supernodes. When you try to talk to someone on Skype your computer will look for a Supernode to figure out how to connect to them. Skype are now creating what they call “mega-supernodes” which will take several hours at which point things should return to normal.

Funny, innit? Being able to sit in one's den in Texas, and chat to folk around the world with a clarity that makes them sound as though they were beside you. That's 'Normal.'

When my son showed his son's friend his new 3D camera, the kit said, 'Mmm...yeh. Cool.' and ran off to play with something really interesting.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 07:51
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Skype is still tits up this morning - it connects for a few seconds, then it's back to the grey icon and rolling arrows....

Quite surprising how many people now 'rely' on Skype; it's convenient to have as an alternative and for videochats, but I wouldn't rely on it exclusively at this stage.

Skype V5.0.0.152 has been less stable than the previous version; I tried to download a later version earlier this week and it kept giving 'skype exception error' messages....
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 08:58
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I'm quite surprised that they have not put a 'splash' message on the home page - it would save a lot of rooting around to see that they know!

I think the problem is potentially serious for those many businesses who have switched to VOIP for communications.

Do we know if it is a DOS, server crash, virus or what?
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 09:22
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BOAC,

I think the problem is potentially serious for those many businesses who have switched to VOIP for communications.
Businesses with half a brain don't use Skype for their VoIP.

Do we know if it is a DOS, server crash, virus or what?
Skype - The Big Blog - Skype downtime today

Apparently something to do with a bug in the latest version, or so the "official" line goes.

It's a bit difficult to DoS a P2P network (not impossible, just tricky)..... although obviously one should not rule it out, my uninformed guess would be that that's unlikely to be the cause (apart from the present "official" explanation of a self-inflicted DoS )

Last edited by mixture; 23rd Dec 2010 at 09:32.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 10:41
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Businesses with half a brain don't use Skype for their VoIP.
- any way to narrow it down at all?
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 10:51
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I think the problem is potentially serious for those many businesses who have switched to VOIP for communications.
It seems to me little better than a toy and I am surprised to hear that (serious) businesses use it. I don't even use it for voice calls, I find the quality unacceptable, and the saving on cost not worthwhile. Also I would not call clients using Skype as I think it looks unprofessional, like using a Hotmail or Yahoo email address.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 11:29
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SKYPE

Skype is now working for me!
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 12:22
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Originally Posted by Capetonian
It seems to me little better than a toy and I am surprised to hear that (serious) businesses use it. I don't even use it for voice calls, I find the quality unacceptable, and the saving on cost not worthwhile. Also I would not call clients using Skype as I think it looks unprofessional, like using a Hotmail or Yahoo email address.
Comparing Skype and a properly configured VoIP connection is like comparing chalk and cheese.

Serious businesses DO use VoIP. Indeed, I am willing to bet that 99% of your phone calls from your desk phone anywhere has incorporated some sort of VoIP.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 13:05
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Skype still down around here - had to rely on the bloody cellphone all day!

Also I would not call clients using Skype as I think it looks unprofessional,
Actually Capetonian I prefer to deal with businesses who have a Skype contact because
I save on phone costs and I suppose they do too. If looking "unprofessional" means it
appears uncool not to use expensive landlines or cellular connections, then I'm all for this
unprofessionality. If I'm put on hold its no big expensive deal. Any mob who refuses to utilise
this medium "because it seems unprofessional" just cut their own throats because I and
others simply take our business elsewhere. I talk a lot to major banks and for example I
was fed up paying heaps in calls to Barclays so HSBC China won out instead.

Quite often I'll be on the Skype blower for up to 3 hours or more with Skype-equipped
investment mobs I deal with in Europe, USA and China not to mention my mates in far
flung areas and talking to overseas companies in general. I'll be stuffed paying a damn
fortune for calls, unprofessional-looking or not.

Businesses with Skype get a higher volume of clientele because tel costs are kept to a
minimum on both sides of the mike, customers especially.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 13:22
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and now working for me.....Like Islander539 I am in the Canaries.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 13:23
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Interesting point of view, slasher, and I've noticed a few businesses I deal with have Skype contact details, but I always use the conventional phone. Maybe i'm just old-fashioned!
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 14:25
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Not working here in darkest Essex, UK.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 21:56
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Nothing wrong in being old fashioned as long as it doesn't cost anyone extra Cape.
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Old 23rd Dec 2010, 23:50
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What's the big drama ? It went off for a few hours, regular phones still worked. I've saved a fortune over the years compared to using the standard network.
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Old 24th Dec 2010, 00:57
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I think we sometimes forget just how far we've come in the last 40 years. The to-be Rivetess called me in Malta when I was doing one of the month stints there. 3 mins. Her entire week's wages.

In 1990, we spent 79 Quid on a row across the Atlantic.


I love Skype, but I think it might be better to pay a nominal charge and get a solid service. With 20 million people on line at any one time, a cent a minute would give them substantial funds to put into more kit - it has to be better than getting all. Even on my meager pension, I for one would think that was a bargain.

Sometimes, things that are too good to be true, really are.
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