Channel 9 Forums - Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

magicalclick — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 05:31:27 GMT

Since MSN Messenger is about to be discontinued in favor of Skype. Which one should I use? I don't use Skype myself, would like to hear from long time Skype users. Should I just desktop version or Metro version? and Why?

Also can I use my Live Account in Skype? Since it is MS anyway.

Thank you.

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

Sven Groot — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:26:37 GMT

I've stuck to the desktop version. I tried the Metro version, it looks great, but it's not feature complete (e.g. screen sharing isn't supported I think), and I prefer having the video of the person I'm calling in a window, not full screen.

Yes, you can sign in with your Microsoft Account now, and see all your Messenger contacts in Skype and chat with them. If you have a Skype account, you can merge the two (and the Metro Skype app forces you to do this, as you cannot sign in with an old-style Skype account). On the desktop app I don't think you need to merge, you can just log in with both simultaneously (though I'm not a 100% sure since I did merge them when trying the metro app).

The only advantage of the Skype metro app are the background notifications for messages or calls even when the app isn't running, whereas the desktop Skype needs to be always running just like Messenger.

If all you do is text chat, by the way, you might as well use the Messaging app in Windows 8 and not bother with Messenger or Skype.

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

Paul Smith — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:26:06 GMT

Desktop version. Still not amazing for IM.

I use the "new" version on my Surface. But it still has some major issues, such as microphone quality degrading when in the background.

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

Manip — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:55:57 GMT

I literally cannot use the Metro one as it tries to force me to merge my Skype account (of which I have several) with my Live account (of which I have several).

I also use my Skype account in less secure environments like on insecure airport WiFi than I do my e-mail/Live Account, so the last thing I'm going to do is merge them.

If my Skype account was ever stolen then no big deal, since it is "free" and I have no stored Credit Cards. If my Live Account(s) were stolen then that is a very big deal.

If Microsoft forces us to merge these accounts across the board then I might have to reconsider my usage of Skype like I currently do. I might check out Google+'s video chat features instead.

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

jinx101 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:43:48 GMT

Desktop app (I should qualify that is personal preference). Mine is less feature oriented and more I don't like being taken 100% out of the context of what I'm doing to switch to Skype or any Metro app (if it's running full screen e.g. you haven't snapped it to a part of the screen). In the desktop model I can have multiple things open in the same context without the jarring feeling of flipping back and forth (like if I'm reading data out of one window and inputing it into another).

In a tablet context, I find the Metro apps ok. In the desktop context I find myself avoiding them for desktop counterparts when at all possible (for the above reason). What I really think would be cool (and probably will never happen) is the ability to popout a Metro app into a window so I could use it in my preferred context.

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

Blue Ink — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 01:00:48 GMT

I tried switching to the "modern" version, and I'm not impressed. It's not a minimal UI, it's starved to death. And I'm not a big fan of the ads in my face.

Coffeehouse - Skype desktop or Metro?

Kitty M. Burgers — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:35:28 GMT

Nov 11, 2012 at 7:43 PM, jinx101 wrote
... What I really think would be cool (and probably will never happen) is the ability to popout a Metro app into a window so I could use it in my preferred context.

You can do this with Stardock's Modern Mix.