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.'"

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Common subjects? No. Microsoft? Yes.

Re:

[xkuehn]

Welcome to Slashdot. You're not supposed to read TFA.

Linux updates

[Wowsers]

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.

Re:

[robotito]

Actually, there's version 2.2.0.25 (Beta, of course)

Re:

[sakdoctor]

2.2.0.25 is packaged for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and SUSE.

I personally like how the Linux version is neglected, because it doesn't get all the faddy junk features.
Last time I saw win skype, it looked worse than QQ.

Re:

[theguyfromsaturn]

Amen to that. Of course, it also means that when the protocol is changed we will access too.

Re:

[yarnosh]

Careful what you wish for. Us Mac users finally got an updated client and it is the worst piece of shit software I've used in a long time. I reverted to version 2.8. If they force us to upgrade to that new abomination of a client, I'm going to do everything I can to break my dependency on Skype.

Missing Fix

[MonsterTrimble]

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...

Re:

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Any Mac user with common sense has downgraded to version 2. Version 5 isn't worth it, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Skype 5 is a nightmare

[rsborg]

Agreed. I don't need multi-user video, so I'm fine with Skype 2.8 on Mac (gotten on oldversion.com)

Re:Missing Fix

[jd]

Microsoft buys Skype. Skype announces a stoppage to all support for Linux. Skype suffers mysterious outage that gets fixed for non-Linux users.

Re:

[badboy_tw2002]

It goes deeper than that. Microsoft plants employees 2 years ago to stop version updates on Linux. Linux version is two years out of date. Two years later, Microsoft buys Skype.

I think we can all connect the dots here.

Re:

[jd]

*lolcat mode enabled*
Oooooh! Dots!

Re:

[Shikaku]

That's a lie. You just have to delete the shared.xml file just like the manual fix in Windows or Mac, except it's in ~/.Skype/shared.xml

So just rm ~/.Skype/shared.xml

Re:

[networkzombie]

He is trolling for users to click on his slashbomb. ratmouse 2205818. They give an account to anyone these days.

Re:

[Shikaku]

I know, but misinformation is still misinformation, and the solution is nice to know if you use Skype on Linux.

Re:

[sakdoctor]

Interesting use of Data URLs for Goatse linking.

Re:

[nystire]

Thank you for that informational link. I'm sure that you will really manage to help the hundreds of people out there who are looking for such a specific client.

Re:

[cpu6502]

Warning: GOATSE.CX
- It's because of Assholes like you tuxtorule that I can no longer trust URL shorteners. Bravo teeny bopper. You're a really mature mother fucker (or do you prefer father fucking? Damn you homo erotic shittter).

Wait! I think I hear your mommy calling to give your tongue a good soap washing. And maybe she'll execute you too. (death to all assholes - Let's pujt tuxtorujle first into the guillotine)

Re:

[PNutts]

I'm passing up the opportunity to mod you down. As they say on Slashdot, "You must be new here."

Please don't feed the trolls. Also, I'm surprised at your reaction to someone you don't know posting a shortened URL to something you don't want to see. If you are that sensitive this type of imagery then I suggest you browse at a higher threshold, don't click unknown links, or wait until someone else falls into the trap.

Somewhere, there is someone offended by the following link. Do not click if you are easily of

Re:

[cpu6502]

I could care less about the image.
But I'm at work and the last thing I need is for a coworker to see a naked ass.

Re:

[asssssssssshole]

And this answers the magic question about why I use goatse despite the fact that slashdotters are used to it...

Besides, here is my up-to date food list:
(Today I hit a jackpot, with 150 victims on these two links alone and a lot of food):

Favorites:
"It's because of Assholes like you that I can no longer trust URL shorteners"
"Ugh. Goatse. NSFW. Asshole (poster and picture, both)."
"You fucker" - "I had the same thought as you. What a fucking asshole. The link is nsfw."
"Death to all assholes - Let's put you fir

How is this different than yesterday's news?

[God_TM]

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.

Re:

[smitty97]

Deleting a buggy file: Free
Knowing which file to delete: $8.5 billion

Encryption

[joeszilagyi]

Didn't someone just announce they had cracked Skype encryption? Could this be because of that?

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

"... but they can handle it ..."

[eepok]

Like Linux users need their egos stroked any more... ;)

That famous small percentage...

[Nom du Keyboard]

Skype said it affected only a small percentage of users...

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.

Screw the update. I want my features back.

[Jane Q. Public]

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 co

This is why we have standards

[Baloo Uriza]

Screw Skype. XMPP Jingle is where it's at: Standards for the win. We don't need Skype to get this functionality.

Re:

[molecular]

so help me out. what's a good solution to do video/voice/chat over xmpp that works across linux/mac/win ? (serious question)

Re:

[Baloo Uriza]

Any relatively complete XMPP client can do this already now. Google Talk and Psi come to mind immediately.

Linux users still have to fix the problem manually

[chemosh6969]

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?

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion