Deal done. Retail VOIP in the offing? Views later.

eBay has agreed to acquire Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies SA, the global Internet communications company, for approximately $2.6 billion in up-front cash and eBay stock, plus potential performance-based consideration.

Skype generated approximately $7 million in revenues in 2004, and the company anticipates that it will generate an estimated $60 million in revenues in 2005 and more than $200 million in 2006. For Q4-05, eBay expects the acquisition to be dilutive to pro forma and GAAP earnings per share by $0.01 and $0.04 respectively. For the full year 2006, eBay expects the transaction to be dilutive to pro forma and GAAP earnings per share by $0.04 and $0.12 respectively, with breakeven on a pro forma basis expected in the fourth quarter of 2006. On a long-term basis, eBay expects Skype operating margins could be in the range of 20% to 25%.

The acquisition is subject to various closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Full text of news release...

On Skype.com:

eBay to Acquire Skype

London, September 12, 2005 – eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY; www.ebay.com) has agreed to acquire Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies SA, the global Internet communications company, for approximately $2.6 billion in up-front cash and eBay stock, plus potential performance-based consideration. The acquisition will strengthen eBay’s global marketplace and payments platform, while opening several new lines of business and creating significant new monetization opportunities for the company. The deal also represents a major opportunity for Skype to advance its leadership in Internet voice communications and offer people worldwide new ways to communicate in a global online era. Skype, eBay and PayPal will create an unparalleled ecommerce and communications engine for buyers and sellers around the world.

“Communications is at the heart of ecommerce and community,” said Meg Whitman, President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay. “By combining the two leading ecommerce franchises, eBay and PayPal, with the leader in Internet voice communications, we will create an extraordinarily powerful environment for business on the Net.”

Founded in 2002 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype offers high-quality voice communications to anyone with an Internet connection anywhere in the world. The Skype software is easy to download and install, and enables free calls between Skype users online. Skype’s premium services provide low-cost connectivity to traditional fixed and mobile telephones. Skype’s software also offers a robust set of features, including voicemail, instant messaging, call forwarding and conference calling. Upcoming product innovations include Skype video, expressive content such as avatars, and customized toolbars for Outlook and Internet Explorer.

One of the fastest growing companies on the Internet, Skype already has 54 million members in 225 countries and territories. Skype is currently adding approximately 150,000 users a day and has created a thriving ecosystem of products, services, developers, and affiliates. Skype is considered the market leader in virtually all countries in which it does business. In North America alone, Skype has more users and serves more voice minutes than any other Internet voice communications provider.

“Our vision for Skype has always been to build the world’s largest communications business and revolutionize the ease with which people can communicate through the Internet,” said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder. “We can’t think of any better platform to fulfill this vision to become the voice of the Internet than with eBay and PayPal.”

“We’re great admirers of how eBay and PayPal have simplified global ecommerce and payments,” said Janus Friis, Skype co-founder and senior vice president, strategy. “Together we feel we can really change the way that people communicate, shop and do business online.”

Zennström and Friis will remain in their current positions. Zennström will report to eBay CEO Whitman and join eBay’s senior executive team.

A Powerful Ecommerce and Communications Engine

Online shopping depends on a number of factors to function well. Communications, like payments and shipping, is a critical part of this process. Skype will streamline and improve communications between buyers and sellers as it is integrated into the eBay marketplace. Buyers will gain an easy way to talk to sellers quickly and get the information they need to buy, and sellers can more easily build relationships with customers and close sales. As a result, Skype can increase the velocity of trade on eBay, especially in categories that require more involved communications such as used cars, business and industrial equipment, and high-end collectibles.

The acquisition also enables eBay and Skype to pursue entirely new lines of business. For example, in addition to eBay’s current transaction-based fees, ecommerce communications could be monetized on a pay-per-call basis through Skype. Pay-per-call communications opens up new categories of ecommerce, especially for those sectors that depend on a lead-generation model such as personal and business services, travel, new cars, and real estate. eBay’s other shopping websites — Shopping.com, Rent.com, Marktplaats.nl and Kijiji – can also benefit from the integration of Skype.

PayPal and Skype also make a powerful combination. For example, a PayPal wallet associated with each Skype account could make it much easier for users to pay for Skype fee-based services, adding to the number of PayPal accounts and increasing payment volume.

In addition, Skype can help expand the eBay and PayPal global footprint by providing buyers and sellers in emerging ecommerce markets, such as China, India, and Russia, with a more personal way to communicate online. And consumers in markets where eBay currently has a limited presence, such as Japan and Scandinavia, can learn about eBay and PayPal through Skype. Skype can also help streamline cross-border trading and communications.

With its rapidly expanding network of users, the Skype business complements the eBay and PayPal platforms. Each business is self-reinforcing, organically bringing greater returns with each new user or transaction. The three services can also reinforce and accelerate the growth of one another, thereby increasing the value of the combined businesses. Working together, they can create an unparalleled engine for ecommerce and communications around the world.

Transaction and Financial Information

eBay will acquire all of the outstanding shares of privately-held Skype for a total up-front consideration of approximately €2.1 billion, or approximately $2.6 billion, which is comprised of $1.3 billion in cash and the value of 32.4 million shares of eBay stock, which are subject to certain restrictions on resale.

The maximum amount potentially payable under the performance-based earn-out is approximately €1.2 billion, or approximately $1.5 billion, and would be payable in cash or eBay stock, at eBay’s discretion, with an expected payment date in 2008 or 2009. Skype shareholders were offered the choice between several consideration options for their shares. Shareholders representing approximately 40% of the Skype shares chose to receive a single payment in cash and eBay stock at the close of the transaction. Shareholders representing the remaining 60% of the Skype shares chose to receive a reduced up-front payment in cash and eBay stock at the close plus potential future earn-out payments which are based on performance-based goals for active users, gross profit and revenue.

The above-mentioned dollar and eBay share amounts are approximate, based on the Euro-Dollar exchange rate and eBay’s stock price as of September 9, 2005. The final value of the stock component of the consideration may vary significantly from this estimate based on the value of eBay stock at closing.

Skype generated approximately $7 million in revenues in 2004, and the company anticipates that it will generate an estimated $60 million in revenues in 2005 and more than $200 million in 2006. For Q4-05, eBay expects the acquisition to be dilutive to pro forma and GAAP earnings per share by $0.01 and $0.04 respectively. For the full year 2006, eBay expects the transaction to be dilutive to pro forma and GAAP earnings per share by $0.04 and $0.12 respectively, with breakeven on a pro forma basis expected in the fourth quarter of 2006. On a long-term basis, eBay expects Skype operating margins could be in the range of 20% to 25%.

The acquisition is subject to various closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005.
About eBay Inc.

Founded in 1995, eBay pioneers communities built on commerce, sustained by trust, and inspired by opportunity. eBay enables ecommerce on a local, national and international basis with an array of websites – including the eBay Marketplace, PayPal, Kijiji, Rent.com and Shopping.com – that bring together millions of buyers and sellers every day.

About Skype Technologies SA

Skype, the Global Internet Communications Company™, allows people everywhere to make free, unlimited, superior quality voice calls via its award-winning innovative peer-to-peer software for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Pocket PC platforms. Skype is available in 27 languages and is the fastest growing voice communications offering worldwide. Since its launch in August 2003, Skype has been downloaded more than 163 million times in 225 countries and territories. Fifty-four million people are registered to use Skype’s free services, with over 3 million simultaneous users on the network at any one time. Skype Technologies SA is headquartered in Luxembourg and is growing its offices in London and Estonia.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding Skype and the expected impact of the acquisition of Skype on eBay’s financial results. Those statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the timing of the closing of the transaction, the possibility that the transaction may not close, the reaction of the users of Skype’s services, the future growth of Skype’s user base and public acceptance of Internet voice communication services, rapid technological changes in the Internet voice communications sector, the reaction of competitors to the transaction, global developments in the regulation of Internet voice communication services including those provided by Skype, the possibility that integration of Skype’s offerings following the transaction may be more difficult than expected, and the possibility that entry by Skype and eBay into potential new lines of business will not be successful. More information about potential factors which could affect eBay’s business and financial results is included in eBay’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to eBay on the date hereof, and eBay assumes no obligation to update such statements.

The eBay announcement:

***A New Way to Communicate***

I’m excited to let you know that eBay plans to acquire Skype, the leader in online voice communications.

Skype has set a new standard in online voice communications with
outstanding sound quality and unmatched ease of use. And like eBay,
Skype has a fast-growing community -- some 54 million Skype users
around the world already use their PCs to talk with one another.

And best of all, conversations between Skype users via PC are free. You
can get up and running on Skype in just a few minutes. Just go to http://www.skype.com/go/x.home to learn more and download the free Skype software application. Try it – it’s fun!

Over time, we intend to make voice communications a part of the eBay
marketplace – a huge step forward in making transactions faster and
easier, as well as bringing even more interactivity and humanity to the
eBay Community.

You can include your Skype ID in your About Me page. For now, however,
Skype links may not appear in View Item pages. We’ll be working with
you, our Community, over the next few weeks to thoughtfully work out
the details of how eBay and Skype will interact, including any policy
changes that may be required.

We expect this acquisition to be finalized soon. In the meantime, you can learn more about our Skype plans in the news release we issued just a few minutes ago.

Working together, eBay, PayPal and Skype will redefine online trade and
community. I hope you’ll join us in this exciting new chapter in eBay’s
history.

Sincerely,

Meg

I don't know what is wrong with people...
i put my status skype me, and in my profile i say: I am on air on the radio.. if u wanna listen ok.. i can't answer calls!
They made my PC freeze!
I swear!
People calling..., asking if i liked sex, even after i told them i was on air on my radio... i swear... people sending weird invitations!
In my profile is nothing that gives the idea of me having cyber sex...
Please guys... try to be more respectful to girls!
A female is not only for sex, try to like her for her mind, thoughts and ideas... not her "being female".
I AM MAD....

This comment, among many others, from one angry lady in the Skype Forums spurred me to experiment with and explore this area some more. I switched on SkypeMe at my profile, and waited. In the short span of 10 minutes, I got 4 requests for authorisation, had 4 calls, and 3 chats. With guys mainly from Africa and Asia. All getting personal real quick, some wanting me to move over to MSN, asking for photos and webcams, pretty much all after my body. In fact, I ended up interviewing one caller and he told me he was at the office, and usually spent half an hour from 9.30- 10 am looking for female company. He had made many women friends in China and Vietnam. Most of the calls however terminated when I told them I was merely interested in researching this area!

It felt a bit like hanging out in a chatroom - except that I didn't get pinged by bots. As a medium too, I felt less in control, as I couldnot lurk or watch others.

In contrast, Stuart who was experimenting with me, got 1 authorisation request from a male conference call with doctors in England, within the time.

Makes me wonder whether the SkypeMe indicator tag attached to a 'female' profile somehow suggests a new form of phone sex. The discussion at the forum indicates this.

I also did a search for females with SkypeMe turned on, and it was interesting to see just 4 profiles with this. Female India Skypeme showed up no women at all. Still, I got flooded with calls and messages. I don't really know whether its a slow directory or is the "Hit on me" stigma preventing women from switching it on?

How do I currently cope being a woman on Skype? I'm usually always in an 'away' mode or 'not available'. This is done with a purpose - to keep away intrusions. Friends and colleagues are aware of it and call me anyway. I have allowed calls only from my contact list, but I didn't want to restrict the chats, so that's open. I have tried to put off the 'red-hot-huge' types by a note in my profile that reads : "I'd appreciate it if you sent me a brief message before asking for an authorization, tell me a little bit about you, and your interest in talking to me." Still, on an average day, I get at least 6 requests for authorisation, and several chat messages. I ignore all that do not indicate an interest in some specific area of my work or blog. If they persist more than once, I block them. I try to gauge from the Skype name and profile more about the person trying to contact me - if the person has a blog I tend to start a conversation but RedHotHuge is a definite no-no.

So what does all of this mean for women on Skype? Does it limit our freedom to connect? Are we restricting people who can contact us and sometimes filtering out people who we may find interesting? Does that reduce our reach and potential in communication? How do other women feel - is it a problem, or just a nuisance? Does it prevent them from sharing video capabilities too?

Do men also get hit-on when they are on SkypeMe?

Would love to hear your views on this.

I would like to keep SkypeMe as my default setting - as a person, I am greedy for conversations with people all over the world. It could potentially be such a neat conversation-research-marketing-sales tool, whatever your interest may be. Imagine if a car salesman puts up a small note - best bargains for Toyota Corolla in India against the SkypeMe button, you enter the discussion if you are interested and its potentially much more rewarding than a cold advertisement. Or someone is initiating a discussion on Julia Cameron's the Artist's Way and sets up a chat topic where you could just click and join and share how you are using the book to unleash your creative juices. Or I am researching MTV promos on air in India or how Skype is changing the way we communicate - and I add this shows up in my SkypeMe profile, with a button to join the discussion. 24/7 global group discussions for free :).

However, for now, its off, as the intrusions are far greater than meaningful conversations. Some issues I hope Skype will address that might help me keep this channel open :

- can we have layered profiling, where I could display different levels of profile to different people - for instance, I am willing to share my photo and contact details with my buddylist, whereas for callers outside of my contact list, I'd rather not.

- is there any way of filtering out and blocking keywords in the text function and the authorisation requests?

Please drop in your suggestions too!

Skype said it will be re-launching their Software Developer Program, SDP, this month. They have 2 days to go! Please hurry!

Since I was the first member of the SDP eight months ago I can say this is a much-needed upgrade. Skype continues to innovate. But the real long-term innovation engine will be driven by an ecosystem of global software and device developers. Small, like Khaoslabs in Toronto, Canada, with the two genius Kevin’s (Kevin 1 and Kevin 2) who we work with, and large, like Motorola.

This week also marks the beginning of COMPUTEX Taipei, according to them, the second largest IT show. COMPUTEX will show us some exciting new Skype-enabled devices. I will be reviewing one for you next week. And we can expect yet anther third party video program to be ready for download this week as well.

Soon Skype will announce a much needed certification program which will help users make purchasing decisions a little easier. This program will help build trust between the developer and user community. Trust is a big deal.

Summer is approaching. Tonight it was hot enough on my deck to barbeque without turning on the propane. The Skype API world is now heating up too.

Since the release of the Skype API last September we have seen many early innovations. My own Skype Presence Server, voice mail solutions like SAM and Pamela. We have the bluedude (Hans Blaauw) in the Netherlands cranking out many tools. And Markus in Germany with his Skype presence broadcasters. Markusin the UK with his SMS solution. Skype Bots from the 2 Kevin’s and bluedude.

These are the earliest of days. The big days are coming. There are some really sweet things coming from developers to make Skype really rock.

AND now we have Lenn Pryor at Skype to help us drive it forward. Lucky us.

Here is an example of the kind of innovation I am talking about. Web-2-Skype’n Back. Kevin L(2) in Khaoslabs gave me a demo of his prototype today.

So here Kev’s prototype. Next week we will publish it as an “Open Source” project so everyone can get involved. Probably along with his Presence server.

Like the name says, it allows anyone to an initiate a chat message to a Skype Client from a web browser. AND for the Skype Client to respond to that message. A real plus if you want visitors to your web site to contact you. Engage in a chat. BETTER too, because if they give you there mobile or landline number you can call them on SkypeOut. Why type?

Here is the interface for me on my web browser along with a system diagram:

Here is the interface for Kevin L:

Awesome.

I will follow-up this post up with more about the Skype Developer DNA, Business Models for Developers and more third-party product products that enhance the Skype experience.

There are frequent requests in the forums for chat messaging that originate on websites or forums.

Here is an example of a Skype Chat solution that enables you to activate your website to send chat notifications. I presume it is working by using a Skype client (see this paper) and then sending the message to any destination.

There are some big downsides with this approach. As you can see one can send an anonymous message to any Skyper. Put this format on your site and spammers could delight in sending messages. There are other solutions in the works that will cure this problem. I'm an advocate for experimentation. This one just needs a little more development time before it hits prime time. Still another example you can learn from and find ideas for whats coming.

Yes you're right. This our own development, like the Status Indicator included in the mod. It is called "Instant Skype", one of our new services. Skype Forum

Lenn Pryor posts his first post in the Skype Forums and immediately gets some good questions and pointers. He's added some questions on his blog. I'm going to think about them and answer them. I'm certainly curious about his definition of "developer"?

I will be working on all kinds of cool stuff on our product management team. One of those things is making sure our Skype Developers Program and API are just rockin and giving you what you need to be successful in using Skype to help enhance your application or to even build a new business around Skype. Afterall ... sharing is good Wink

I will be working with Mat Taylor, whom many of you have already spoken with in this forum. Right now I am trying to wrap my head around everything that we need to do to really build a top notch program and API to support you. I mean, I want to build something that makes you smile, makes all other developer programs blush with envy ... I used to run MSDN Online at one time, so I know a thing or two about this stuff. I also know just how hard and confusing this stuff can be when it gets too complex, too messy, and people stop listening. Skype Forums

We've had a lot of great feedback in the two months that Skype Journal has been going in this format. Plus some great suggestions for improvements --- some which are still coming. Well deserved Bill! Now where's the follow-up?

I just went through the "Learning Skype’s Plug-In Architecture" by Bill Campbell. Being in the software industry for 20 years, I take incomplete, hard to read, and poorly written documents for granted. This guide is none of that. It is easy to read without having too basic stuff or a lot of fluff. And I was even able to do things without having to put-on my geek hat. Thanks Bill.

Regards,
Vinay Agarwal

Skype Forum

Om Malik get's after me for not being more explicit about Skype's payment challenges. Skype Forum announcements last week and a Skype Help
update confirmed that US credit card payments are only available through Moneybookers. Moneybookers enables:

Integration is FREE - no set up or monthly fees.
Low transaction fees (as low as 1% capped at EUR 0.50).
All payments are made instantly
100% fraud and chargeback protection.
High payment security. MoneyBookers

While Skype obviously like Moneybookers for fraud and chargeback protection, stopping US credit cards points to a fraud problems that neither Skype or the US bankers were prepared to handle. Yet surely the problem if so large is much much bigger than Skype. Wouldn't you think that rapid global growth, would be just the type of business that the banks would be after even if the transaction values are relatively low. It's obviously impossible for Skype to point the finger at US bankers, it's not a smart way to create friends and influence people. Still whatever the solution they need a US credit card solution fast. I've used PayPal for recent purchases. I started the Moneybookers payment system and simple won't use it. They are asking for information that I don't have to give on any other commerce site I use. You can bet Skype is working on it. It's costing them dollars and like plane seats every minute lost in processing payments hits at revenue and profit.

Skype is not alone out there facing challenges. This note on the Skype Forum provides a alerts to “phishing” or “spoofing” scams warning everyone not to respond to any e-mail alerted to that asks for your Skype account details. The e-mail example mimics those I receive almost daily for PayPal and eBay amongst others. It's common sense, and yet they are catching unsuspecting people out.

I believe Skype remains too cautious in telling Skypers what the position or story is. Many of us have used credit card methods in the past to purchase and renew. There is no explanation on the account pages themselves. There should be that is where you are directed to add to your balance. It's an easy insert. There is no reason to force consumers to go looking. Similarly a link to PayPal to open an account or a list of what Moneybookers will require would help to inform users of "new choices" and how to sign up.

While fixing payments Skype should address "vouchers" and "members - since".

New Skype Forum user asks:

Question: Is there any unlimited minutes plan?
Answer: Yes - Skype to Skype. Talk as long as you like for free!

Here's the results of a test I was about to try now that Skype can record up to a 10 minute VM.

I added voice mail to a second Skype ID and while a second Skype ID would record me if I called it, I was unable to conference in a third person.... somehow the conference facility is "helpful" and will not let us conference in someone with a Skype ID if they are not online.

So much for indirectly being able to record Skype calls.

Perhaps when an area code becomes available in my area I could call another person by regular phone and also 3 way call in to Skype in? Boy it sure is hard to record Skype calls.

Skype Forum

Will Pate posts on "Why Skype Should Start Blogging". Should I ask or wonder why they need to start blogging when "we" blog Skype here? (Tongue in cheek!) I'd be more interested to see the advice for the companies that don't blog (eg Apple) and still have massive blogging support. What do you think? Should Skype go blogging? With the Skype Journal is there a benefit to Skype starting a blog? Plus who will share with our reader their thoughts on how Skype should handle the Skype Journal?

I sometimes find a Skype Journal entry emerging from what other write or are saying. So for "customer complaint" numbers rather than heresay evidence I looked for some insights in the Skype Forum. These numbers aren't quoted or looked deeply into when one looks casually at the Skype Forums and says... "wow lots of problems"

These are the Skype Forum numbers.
As of today there are 92528 articles, written by 32221 registerd users. There havae been 19007 topics created.

Now the numbers are all on the main forum page. Of the 92528 posts there was 32205 or 35% that were posted to the general support forum. For the topic SkypeOut there are 8682 posts for 1702 topics. Thus SkypeOut accounts for 9.4% of the posts and 8.9% of the topics created.

So what's it all mean?
Actual participation (more may have visited, learned but not signed in) in the Skype Forum is less than 0.11%. That is one hundredth of a percent on 29million registered users. Now many of these "events" are positive, or suggestions etc.

In the forums there are also "SuperUsers" who delight in helping out those with questions. Some have thousands of posts to their names. I don't know how many posts the superusers have. It must be about 1 in three. Which means if you make a post it gets answered.

Now SkypeOut. SkypeOut now has one million users. It has 1702 topics. let's assume that these are all separate cases, and mega complaints. If that's the case then SkypeOut complaints are running at 0.17%. Many of those complaints are about "buying" problems. While some interconnect issues have been blogged and well entered into the forums this number suggests that consumers "understand" the trade-off.

So what's the number?
1 or 2 in 1000 may have had a problems with Skype. Problems can stem from PC's, quality of the connection, even understanding how to put in the right number (I had a call like that this am).

When you are adding 155000 users per day that means 225 people per day may have some problems. Given what I know about Windows, installing a Vonage account, dealing with Comcast or numerous other new products this looks like a very low number to me. It will always be too much. If you look at the new Skype help section they are trying to address this too.

Another gem from the Forum this week from a gem of a guy MadRaven.

Responding to angry calls to put call "Auto Answer" feature aback in the lastest Skype release MadRaven pointed out that the feature has not been removed, but simply moved.

If you need it, you can anable it by editing the config.xml file when Skype is shut down. Open the file with word pad or notepad. In the Call Section set FriendsAutoAnswer to a "1" and if you need it, set OthersAutoAnswer also to a "1". Save the file.

Calls
AllowMultiCalls>1 FriendsAutoAnswer>0 FriendsPopup>1 OthersAutoAnswer>0 OthersPopup>1 PopupOnAll>0 /Calls

Start Skype and Auto Answer will be enabled.

Forum Link: http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=20368

MiTunes (beta) is a SkypeAPI plug-in I've really been looking for. If you love iTunes and Skype then try it out. Simply it auto pauses and auto-resumes iTunes whenever you are on Skype. The program was created by Hans Blaaw who is creating a range of API enabled solutions at Skypeteer which include SMS solutions IE support. They are all in an early stage of development.

I installed MiTunes (requires Windows PC's and latest version of iTunes)and it docked with through API without any problems. It worked flawlessly until I received a second call while in a call which went to VM. It then assumed I had hung up and restarted itunes, so I was listening to both itunes and caller one. So that's a bug that still needs some work.

Get the download.

Skype Forum
Skypeteer Requires you register with the site. This makes it a little difficult to get access to the program. Register, wait for email etc.

Note:
WinAmp: Skype has a function built in "auto-pause" WinAmp. (Files/options/advanced) which stops WinAmp and fails to resume after the call. Perhaps a left over from the days before the API.

Windows Media Player: See MuteForSkype , Forum and Skype Journal

Skype announced the introduction of PayPal for SkypeOut today.

We just enabled PayPal payments in most of the countries where PayPal is available. It has been available to US customers for a couple of days now, things are going good so far, and so it's now open for others too.

Please note that right now the PayPal payments are labelled as BETA. This means that they are working fine, but we may make changes in the processing that may result in PayPal being unavailable at times or other fluctuations in service quality. Nevertheless, you are now welcome to buy SkypeOut using Paypal, and report back any comments, suggestions or problems.
Skype Forum Announcement

Skype for Windows currently has a setting File/Options/Advanced/Auto-Pause WinAmp which stops WinAmp when a new call is received. Unfortunately after the Skype call WinAmp doesn't resume playing. This beta program MuteForSkype adds music handling capability to Skype for Windows Media Player, WinAmp and Sonique. If you like your music and Skype this may be the plug-in for you.

When the phone call starts your music player is paused and on hanging up the music playing resumes. It requires Windows and .NET 1.1.

I installed this on my T-40 Laptop with XP. You will need to restart for the app to doc with Skype. It then requests the SkypeAPI connection. I can confirm it works. Personally I can't wait to match this one with a bluetooth stereo headset and headset answering.

BlogLink
Skype Forum link
Download (development documentation and plugin)

Skype maybe making moves to add PayPal as a payment option. (Not Verified). A possible small trial was reported via the forums.

Although in BETA testing, Paypal has been added today (02/1Cool as an Payment option. I just bought 10 Euro's (to be save and test the process first) of SkypeOut time. I just checked my account and the 10 euro's are showing up on my Skype account !!!!! Skype Forums

A tips and tricks on Message Deletion is required. However, as this user has learned "privacy" with message archiving in the latest edition of Skype isn't quite so simple. There are good reasons why what this user desires can't be done at the moment. We'll leave that for a tips and tricks posting.

I'm using v1.1.0.79. The previous version had the great trashcan icon so I could periodically delete messages during a chat. So, if someone came to my PC while I was making a coffee they couldn't see what had been said... forum.skype.com :: View topic - "Panic Button" to delete all text messages...

a) Have the trashcan back
b) Have a system setting to automatically delete the history on exiting. Yes, I know there is something like that there, but it isn't working for me, especially if I log in as a different user name on the same PC/Laptop (e.g. Work log in and Home Log in). It's very annoying to log in and find the text I thought I'd erased still available for every Tom, Dick and Nosey Parker!!!
c) Have a Panic Button to delete text and minimise Skype in one - great for use at work!
Skype Forum

Skype at 35000 feet will be common place in a few years. Still today this "miracle" is full of pleasure and excitement. Two quotes today via the Skype Forums:

I'm using their new wireless service provided by Boeing (Boeing Connexion) and I've been able to phone both a colleague in London wiith peer to peer and my wife back in Japan to our landline. (see also - JAL - Wireless - Tokyo to London

i just did a flight from SF to Frankfurt and had the same experience using Skype. i even conferenced two of my colleagues. i did call my wife using skypeOut but the connect was not very good.

Skype Forum

Yet another tool from S3even for Skype. This one is a beta Skype Backup Tool program similar to the recently announced SkypeTools that enables you to backup your Skype Contacts and Account details.

Forum Link: Mes cr�ations - s3ven - freewares

*Current version of Skype doesn't allow users to backup/restore their infos (contacts, history,..).
*Current Skype version doesn't keep your contacts when you log on another computer or do a fresh installation.

It's for these reasons that i developped Skype Backup Tool. It'll allow you to:
- Backup/Restore skype infos to and from disk, network and removable media.
- Backup/Restore to and from a FTP server
Skype Backup Tool

Integrate Mozilla Thunderbird and Mozilla Mail with Skype. This 0.1 beta program from S3even enable you to call your Skype buddies straight from your contact list. Link the Skype Forum he reports he is developing for Linux as well.

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Another developer is working on connecting Skype to a MySOL server. That will enable a nice scalable Presence Server solutions. More than a few people are waiting for this solution.

I'm writing a VC Win32 service to intercept all the events of Skype and store it into a MySQL Server. Next I'd like build a Presence server and other stuff (like php o java web applications)... I want to release it as Open Source project on Linux and Windows platforms and I'm working to do it. I'm also looking for developers interested in it. I'll post more details as soon as possible. forum.skype.com

A new user to Skype asks how to change their name. Maybe you would like to change yours too, or simply get smarter about the name field in Skype. This post tells you how to change your name and use it to better effect in Skype.

anyone know if you can change your skype name? if so how?
forum.skype.com

To Change Your Name:
Log into Skype and select File/Log-in as new user --- a Log into Skype screen will apprear. Tab to New Users Create a Skype Account. Create a new name and password and you can log on. Now you can update and edit your new profile. Note your old profile will disappear from the search system over a number of days. Still you haven't lost it. It could be forgotten. You can log back on to it by using the same File command above.

Note currently it is not possible to associate two names with the same SkypeOut account. So if you had money on your old account you will have to use it to burn up the Euros.

To Change Your Profile Name:
Simply acess File/Your personal profile --- and update how you want. A useful way to use your "Full Name" field is: Say it is "John Skype" and you want to communication that you are travelling. Just make the field read "John Skype | in France" and your buddies will know where you are.

Note many people have more than one Skype Account, often keeping one for business and one for friends and family.

Do you use more than one PC your Skype? Then perhaps you want to synch your Skype chat histories. This post from the forums suggest that working with a network drive is one way to do it.

well if you share the target directory of one of your computers (which must be turned on always !) then you could keep both histories in ine file !

I do the same on my skype... but I keep the files on my server.

in windows XP you can map network drives like a unix mount and I had my "MY Documents" folder and "Documents and Settings" folder on that server. and accidently I saw that both PC keep the same file for the history !

forum.skype.com :: View topic - chat histories

Anyone like to work this up as an instruction and example?
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We are investigating this one. A Skyper needs an official invoice for SkypeOut payments.

I paid for a skype out service and I need an invoice with my address on it. My requests sent to skype have no any answer. I tried to solve this problem through "Live Help". I got promise and that's it. Almost three weeks has passed and no invoice. Any idea how to solve this problem? Yes, fortunately skype have competitors.

forum.skype.com

Wow, that's really cool. Chat now synchonizes across all PC's. Add this one to Skype's constant list of improvements

This was true for "old" IM. In the new chat system, all chat messages (including your own) are synced to all PC-s, so all of them will have identical chat contents. forum.skype.com :: View topic - skype from multiple computers