I noticed that Skype looks different on each platform. However, I wanted to ask – what's the point of that?
I can understand, why Skype for Mac is different, and everybody can. You just have to use a Mac for a few minutes to get this.

But WHY is Skype for Linux so different from the Windows version? I've been using both systems almost everyday for the past few years, and I could say without a doubt – there's no big difference between them. Yes, button layout is sometimes different, Open/Save dialogs are different, icons are different etc... But core principles are the same among these two OS'es. You've got a window with toolbars and menubar. So, I'll probably repeat what many have said already – why don't you maintain a single version of (at least) UI for Windows and Linux? It's easy with Qt that you already use, so why not?

There's only one possiblity I can think of – maybe you are testing your client UI re-design ideas on Linux?

Please answer. I'm trying not to rant. Just very curious!

Windows version doesn't use QT. And since linux version can't use windows gui components, this might be quite hard.

Yeah, it probably doesn't. But what stops Windows version from using Qt? And even if there's no point to use Qt on Windows now (you have a perfectly working and looking application anyways), what are the motives behind making Linux client look so different?

QT 4 is for windows too.

Hi er-ku,

You have a valid question/point here - let me answer you.

I work across the Mac and Linux clients, and also work side-by-side with the Windows team. I'm not sure if you noticed, but the Windows, Mac, Linux (speaking only about Desktop clients - not including Skype on the large number of other devices) are all written separately so they may be specially tailored for each operating system they are written for.

Linux users are not typically Windows users - they have different needs, demands and expectations. The client is driven by Linux users internally and so we can shape it as we see fit, and we also take onboard input from our Linux beta testers (thanks guys!) We could make it look exactly like Windows, but don't you think it would be better that it's written for Linux and not a direct port? It's the same for Mac, we don't make things work/look like Windows because it's a different Operating System and the users on Mac expect different things.

So rather than blindly copy the Windows client, we've decided to do things differently. If there is something specifically you don't like about the client - tell us and we'll work out if it is better for the bulk of our users and if so, we'll do it. If you're not sure how to do something in the Linux client, ask and we can try to improve the way things work to make it more clear.

In short, we pride ourselves on the fact that the client is written specifically FOR linux and not a 'cross platform application' like many other alternatives - if you have specific suggestions we'd love to hear them!

- Ryan

Yet, having a cross platform application reduces the barrier to switch operating systems easily. Most of my everyday apps are cross platform - I even made some of them share settings and data. This way, it's not that important what OS I am running at the moment, looks and usage are the same. Also, these apps release simultaneously for many platforms so that a specific platform almost never lacks features. Most of those apps are open source, but not all: Have a look at the Opera web browser, that's a program comparable to Skype (they also use QT) and they release for most desktop platform in sync...

Hey, Ryan!



Thank you for your thorough answer. Indeed, it helped me understand your reasoning better.

However, my point as simple as that: "traditional" interface of a good Linux application is not that far from the "traditional" interface of a good windows app. Take K3B and Nero, for example, or any other application. I'm quite sure that if a Linux application follows certain UI guidelines (be their origin KDE or GNOME), it will look similar enough to a competing Windows app. That's why I expect something similar from Skype, especially because it's the same application. I don't demand the interface to be an exact copy of what I see in windows, but I wish it was more similar than it is now.

OTOH, maybe I'm just too used to Windows version of skype, and that's all...

Now a few things that I miss:

• Hiding inactive contacts
• Drag-and-drop of files onto chat window to send them
• GTK+ version, maybe?

You just have to use Linux for a few years to get this.

наезжяешь?

I've been using Linux for like five years for now, and still I don't get this.

I had actually used Mac-style menu under KDE for some time. But it turned out to be impractical back then, so I reverted to in-window menus.

So, what is it that I don't get?

The main menu is taking up space and is actually not used too often in a contact-oriented application like Skype. The OS/2 "direct manipulation" approach is more applicable here, and we have two lists of tangible objects - Contacts and History events just for this purpose.

With Skype 1.4 you may get away without using the "main" cogwheel menu at all. You can open recent and bookmarked chats from History. View Options dialog, Sign out and Quit using keyboard shortcuts of Ctrl+O, Ctrl+W (about to change) and Ctrl+Q respectively. And change status from the myself panel above contact list. Here's where the menu ends. (Imagine if we had a main menu bar, what would you see there? Two top-level menus - Skype and Help with 2 to 3 items each. Rest is wasted space.)

Menus might be needed in Windows version just because of sheer amount of indiscoverable bloat. In Linux version it's all in your face and the feature load is not too high to justify having considerable percent of UI front page wasted for gray background.

I think when amount of features increases we will rather go for novel user interaction methods, than just blindly stick everything in 5-level-deep menu tree.

I'm not experienced with Windows or Mac version but I do kind of like the new interface. I think berkus is right a lot of that is wasted space. The cog wheel is fine for me.

What I like about the 1.4 Alpha is that it doesn't display that annoying advertisement with the yellow background at each startup. (I didn't find any option to turn this off in 1.3) If there is something by which Linux users can be pissed of then it is software with full of advertisements and blinking attention-catchers. If it is the goal of each of the different Skype versions to take into account the needs of the specific target audience, then the Linux version better stay advertisement-free.

I just installed skype 1.4 Alpha Wow that is one of the most horrible interfaces that I have seen lately.

I mean it is just not really usable. Comparing to the previous versions. The windows one is getting a bit cluttered, but this one is just horrible.

I hope that the next release will have a much better user interface.

No, the new interface is not horrible. It's just special! Specially crafted for Linux users, because Linux users are different! There are no "newbie" linux users and no people who use multiple operating systems at once. Every linux user has his (there are no female linux users) own LFS or Gentoo at least.

Was there a very very slight note of sarcasm I sensed?

robert: Can you please advise what is unusable about the interface? Because I can't find any specific complaints here.

Thanks,
Andrew.

the new interface its nice and clean, i like how you've made it integrate well with the gnome desktop.

might i suggest if you're going to use tango icons for the file chooser dialog can you also use tango styled icons for the whole application.

the style is great for making a application look uniform and it integrates it further with the platform

thanks for the hard work and time.

This seems better suited with a Model-View-Controller (MVC) design approach. You are reinventing the wheel each time rather than abstracting the basic code and re-writing various pieces of the view and controller. Qt is extremely well-suited for all three environments, and it would let you share vast amounts of code between different platforms without limiting your ability to tailor each one.

At the very least, you should be able to create a library that all the GUIs can use. This means it would be trivial to implement any feature; mostly just a question of where to put what, and how different bits interact with each other. This would also make it easier to share code bits between the different GUIs, or abstract them into the library.

If you're lacking in Qt proficiency, there are training and contracting solutions that are extremely helpful and will allow you to ramp up in-house expertise. Try attending a Qt QuickStart (usa or int'l); they are *free* half-day seminars that can answer questions right there, or connect you for training or consulting. I think you can also get an on-site for cheap.

I almost agree with robertpolson about the user interface, but only at the first impression. After 5 minutes of using it, you notice there is not any lacking functionality and it is indeed very clean.

However, I have a notice, about the "Call Ordinary Phones" button next to the bottom row. Do we really need an extra row for that button? Why not place it(or something with the same functionality) on the bottom row, there is more than enough space for it.

More to the above, maybe it should be gotten rid of entirely because after you use it the first time, you do not need it ever again. You could probably have a small button with just a phone picture on the bottom row, next to the two already present on the bottom-left.

Something like this.
[attachmentid=9659]

Well I guess I just had to get used to the new interface. It is kind of clean.

Just lacking its own font control options. And also all the smile emotions are missing.

My general impressions of the new UI:

• I'd like to be able to turn off the search bar
• The skype in/out button isn't obviously a button (nor is the flag, nor the name)
• I agree with has2k1 that "call ordinary phones" should be less prominent
• skype 1.3-style groups would be nice
• sortable groups would be nice
• I'd like to be able to drag a contact into a call or chat
• Most chats are with one or two people, which leaves the contacts column rather vertically devoid ... maybe only make it as tall as needed, leaving room for a wider view of more recent messages?
• (Probably already in progress, but...) I like being able to leave chats; as in, two people are talking and I'm no longer needed: if I close the window, it comes back when something else is said. I want a "leave" button like in 1.3 that prevents it coming back (and notifies other users that I've left).
• The text input box should be able to get as small as one line. I can't get it smaller than 4.25 lines.

....."[*](Probably already in progress, but...) I like being able to leave chats; as in, two people are talking and I'm no longer needed: if I close the window, it comes back when something else is said. I want a "leave" button like in 1.3 that prevents it coming back (and notifies other users that I've left)."




I must agree.... I did not realize when I installed thew 1.4 alpha that my settings would change to allow anyone to chat with me. I Found myself "joined" to several spam based chats that I was not able to leave without blocking +100 people as each time I closed the message box it would reopen with the continuation of the chat. This was even after I had changed my settings to not allow chats from anyone not in my contact list.

On the positive side I like the new GUI , my only problem was that it took me a few seconds to work out where to type out the number to dial regular phone numbers. Not a big problem but for people like my father this could be!

Furthermore, I was one of those people whom was having freezes if skype was connected too long and this seems to be totally resolved in this build. So thanks.

I must add my voice to those asking for video functionality ( although I understand and agree that basic functionality must be the priority) . I just get a little tired of explaining to Win and Mac users that .... in my version of Skype I can not video chat.....why dont oyu just upgrade ? ........because i cant.....why not?....because I use Linux....etc...

Anyway keep up the good work and I like this build.... works very well for an alpha!!!

ciao
M

Not quite possible, as we rather want to make this feature more visible than less.



You'll see something interesting in this area soon.



Use text command "/leave<Enter>" in chat. Type "/help<Enter>" in chat to see more available commands.

Remaining items from your list are being developed.

Alright, let the menu go (if the cogwheel will contain everything I may need). However, I don't think you expect everyone to learn keyboard shortcuts, do you? I personally use keyboard shortcuts time-to-time, but I like it the other way around – I learn them myself, using the menu, and I prefer this approach to googling for a way to use my desired functionality



Heh. I thought this bloat is called features and Skype intents to equalize feature list in its client among different OS'es one day...

Not that I use everything in Windows version of Skype (I usually install the Corporate version just to get rid of some bloat I don't need), but still... I think Linux should have a client of same "coolness level" as Windows and OS X does. Just so we don't have to tell our friends we can't do this or that because we use Linux. Just so they don't think Linux sucks. Just so we don't have to explain then, that it's Skype for Linux that sucks, not Linux itself.



Great. Why not use that in Windows too, then?

Please make it depend on an option then. And default that option to whatever you like.

There are a lot of people who are not going to use Skype to call phones, even if you remind them of this every single day. These reminders are one of the bad things about Windows client. Each time I log into Skype in Windows, I get those stupid reminders at the bottom of my contact list. I don't even read them, but still only way to disable such reminder is turning it off manually each time it pops out. What's even worse is that at the same time there's another hyperlink on top, urging me to buy skype credits, and it's there permanently. Just a waiste of screenspace, nothing more. I really hope Linux version won't go that way. I also hope Windows version will leave that path too.

Alpha says it all I guess. But why a seperate font control? To do what?

To control font size I guess ? Does font control controls any other settings?

I want to be able to control the font size without the need to downlaod additional GTK stuff to edit font.

Ah. How about a "?" icon next to the "->" in the top right where there is space? It would either do the same thing as "/help" or it would pop up the same info in a small window. The list would be better formatted if it were broken into two columns like most chat and console programs (put the wider ones at the bottom of the columned list).

You must not forget that Skype is a commercial enterprise. They want to make money. This is performed by getting people to call outside the Skype network. Happily, they are generous enough to provide their service nag-free and at no cost to those who are content using it internally. Berkus was politely saying that "the marketing department has spoken."

... to that end, I am surprised that the "skype credit" button doesn't have units (dollars or euros) to better identify what it is, and that the "call ordinary phones" doesn't list the lowest rate. It should be rather simple to figure out what "domestic" means to the user based on the user's reported location and say "call local numbers for $0.021/min" instead (making sure to note the actual cost before a call is placed).

I actually pressed that button today ... all it does is pop up a message (and now my skype credit has units). What's the point of that? If your marketing team insists on having it, it needs to be more useful. How about bringing up the call dialog and letting you enter the number there? It should also be easier to add a dialed phone number to the contact list ... you have it hidden in an extra menu within the call history rather than putting it right on the top-level context menu AND on the "Call with..." window.

You should allow the use of the keyboard's keypad during calls, too (even though it is upside-down ... hell, you could even had an option to turn it right-side up {7=1, 4=4, 3=9, etc}, though that would confuse most users). Slash, dot, and/or plus should be hash (pound) during a call. In-call dial-pad history (like on a cell phone) would be nice, too (but make sure it can be toggled for passwords!).

I also wish I knew that toll-free USA and UK calls are possible for people with zero balance ... though I can see why you don't advertise that.

With regards this whole Call Ordinary Phones fiasco. This silly little dialog that pops up was merely a placeholder whilst we finished the new dialpad.

The new client now has this new dialpad, so you can see the button actually now serves a purpose.

With regards it not closing when you click on the button again, this has been fixed in Qt 4.3.x.

Thanks,
Andypoo.

Please add a possibility to hide offline users in the next alpha. It's not too hard, is it?..

Also, I think Ctrl+W should just close Skype window, not sign me out (this needs another shortcut).

And, maybe in some more distant future, please add support for UPnP.

Thanks,
RQ

Do you mean zeroconf? If so, this is planned for post-gold.

In the dialog boxes used to enter contact name, of phone number, it would be nice to get a button close to the box to erase the content of the dialog box. Like the one you can see in konqueror on the left of the search dialog box on the upper right of the window.

Yeah probably, but just pressing Escape is as fast and doesn't take up much screen space

i've noticed that skype uses cleanlooks qstyle, wouldn't be better to use the style choosen with qtconfig or at least in skype settings?

Yes, i've noticed that too. I have qtcurve installed for kde3, kde4 and gtk2, and my others qt4 applications use qtcurve but skype no.

But that is not more important i think.

Here's my contribution on the topic and some thoughts on the 1.4.0.64 version. I see you had some chatter earlier about the GUI being designer towards more "seasoned" users. I don't know if I'm "seasoned" enough, being tinkering with Linux for the past 13 years, but anyway.

The very fist time the main window appeared, my first thought was: "wow, clutter free++;". I see either my groups have disappeared or they're not yet coded in, but other than that, I can finally see the mood-messages and apparently also if the other end has a webcam (which is one feature I've been waiting VERY eagerly since m$ killed netmeeting and then the only universal enough way to use my webcam with gnomemeeting). The only thing that caught my eye on the main window was the location of the search-bar. I really wish it was at the bottom of the screen. No idea why, but it somehow feels out of place at the top and the line showing my status and credits would make a fine first line.

The next thing I tried was a call to the echo123. The call however didn't even start, I only got a window telling me "Call failed: problem with audio playback", while the console was flooded with "ALSA lib pcm.c:2014:(snd_pcm_open_conf) Invalid type for PCM phoneline definition (id: phoneline, value: cards.pcm.phoneline)"-messages. The machine has 2 ALSA-compatible audio devices; first being the SB Live 1024 which I use for audio output, and Logitech Quickcam Messenger, which serves as a microphone; Both devices work with other programs just fine.

Now being able to call, I tried chat. I fired up a contact on the other side of the planet and said hello. To my surprise, the message didn't appear in the chat area after I hit enter key. Did it stall? Did my line just go down? Nope, after 10-15 seconds my line appeared with the answer from the chat buddy. After that the conversation was seemingly real-time and I had no other problem with delays. For some reason I was unable to select any other layout than "skype" in the settings. The outcome however looked a lot like the "IRC"-option in the older Skype, with the exception that all the line colors were the same, making the conversation somewhat hard to follow.

One of the more annoying of the small annoyances was that the text entry field in chat window isn't focused when the window is focused. So if for some reason the text box wasn't active when the window was unfocused, I can't alt-tab into the window and then start typing.

Talking about the chat, I see there's a "show others when I am typing" feature in the configs. I was talking with another client who was also trying out the 1.4, but we didn't figure out how the fact that the other is typing is indicated at the other end, or if it was yet unimplemented. Grouping all the conversations and offering the 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and so on options is IMO a good idea. One area of the chat that could use improvement comes in mind. How about making it work in two modes. The first mode would be one-on-one chat, where the "call", "send file" etc. buttons would be in the divider between chat/entry boxes and the participant list would be automatically absent. Then when more folks join in, the userlist would appear.

I also tried transferring files, which went without any hickups. The file transfer window was a real improvement since the earlier versions, which had several oversized windows for multiple transfers. This Firefox-ripoff is just fine. One oddity was the "Finishing in"-status, which seemed to tell how long the transfer is going to take, but not how long time is still remaining. When there are lots (5 or more) transfers and a new one is added, the new one overlaps the old ones. See the attached file.

I liked the new profile edit window. I found the date entry pretty intuitive when compared to the older versions. I also accidentally scrolled the 'gender' dropbox and found the 'unspecified' option. It made me wonder, if a "I don't know, help?"-option would be in order with a help text like ("put your hand in your pants, feel around") and a normal wizard-type dialogs to assist with that ...

During the day I also kept an eye for the notification area icon. Atleast for incoming chats, maybe the default action for clicking the icon could be opening the chat window instead of the main window. The icon itself seems to be rather large (taking about the space of 2 normal icons), but only the green part is clickable, which made me do several "miss clicks" on it. When the flag is displayed, the area to click is even smaller as the grey area under the flag doesn't seem to count. Also, the background of the icon seems opaque.

Anyway, not counting the non-working voice calls, everything else seems to work. I'm looking forward for more alphas or betas.

The problem that I have is that sometimes Skype pops up a window when there is a message from someone and sometimes all it does it displays the red notification icon on the skype tray icon. Annoying it is, I want it to always pop up a message. This should be an option.