World Domination (Beta)
At the behest of communications graduate Azrael, I downloaded Skype IM recently. In my always-humble opinion, it sucked hard. Cluttered interface. Outrageously cheerful looking interface, at that. And it insists that I have “2 new events” no matter how hard I try to get rid of them. It also manages to periodically freeze my whole system for a second or so. All in all, I put it into the same repulsive heap that I put Miranda, Trillian, GAIM, and MSN. Special shout-out to GAIM for focus stealing. You bastard.
Well, guess who just released an IM client? Yeah, them again. Google have suddenly exploded from web search into email, blogging, desktop search, maps, IM… where does it end? I mean, I like that Google are raising the bar. I’m just concerned that in a few years, Google will be the entire internet.
I can tell you why it is happening, too. Existing webmail sucked. Existing IM clients are shit. Windows desktop search was pitiful. Why are Google the only company that can put out good products? (Okay, and Mozilla.) Some people shiver at the thought of where this is taking us, but the fact is we are laying down the red carpet for their world domination.
Speaking of which, I’m about to install it now. And play some wumpus.
By the way, have you seen the new Web Inspector for IE? It looks somehow familiar. I’d be careful if I was them, someone might notice.
I have to disagree with you on Skype. It’s pretty good for voice calls, and much better than an actual phone conversation over distance. Even better, you can call US toll free numbers, well for free! Which is actually pretty useful.
(Does anyone actually read these comments?)
Comment by Rau — August 29, 2005 @ 8:12 pm
oh, i can’t spell my name.
Comment by Ray — August 29, 2005 @ 8:12 pm
Well, I know I read them. It seems your review of Skype is “does voice calling,” something CARbOES once described as a “binary marking schedule.” I stand by my flogging, but your thoughts are duly noted and indeed, may influence future blogging.
Meanwhile, try doing voice calling over Google Talk and let me know how it compares.
Comment by db — August 29, 2005 @ 11:26 pm
Get Broadband ©
Comment by Azrael Montague — August 31, 2005 @ 9:10 pm
Um. Was that a Note To Self?
Comment by db — September 1, 2005 @ 12:07 am
Don’t give up on Skype man. Lo4d3d & I have VoIPed a couple of times and it is seamless.
But its not just voice, Skype encrpyts data end-to-end including instant messaging which is unique amongst IM clients. And their Developer Zone (http://share.skype.com/directory/) has the same community feeling the Firefox extensions community has.
Perhaps you need to download the latest version to cure your system freeze problem?:
http://www.skype.com/products/skype/windows/
Get Broadband ©
Comment by Azrael Montague — September 24, 2005 @ 2:31 pm
I’m trying not to be sarcastic but man, it sounds like you copy-pasted that from their marketing page.
Anyway, you raise some valid points so I will qualify my position. I don’t like IM very much to start with. The most important aspect of a product for me is usually UI. I’m just stunned by how people sending text messages to each other seems to be so hard to get right.
I may return to Skype one day. My hatred is not everlasting.
Comment by db — September 24, 2005 @ 4:05 pm