I’ve started using the early public beta of Skype 4.0 for Windows, and I am not sure what to say. I am not used to instant messenger client covering the whole screen, and by the way the screen is 27″ Full HD. What is the purpose with making Skype in to a one window app? Will advanced users get the option to run Skype in multiple windows as before? I dislike having to scroll down a long buddylist to see who have written to me. Another thing, is the important space used to show information about the person you are talking to. I guess most of us would be happy with just getting that as a small text info, a huge flag and a clock showing local time are both unneccessary for most of us!

I am working at a university, and have scientists/researchers working with colleagues around the world, so Skype is an obvious choice for communication. But so far, we have also needed to use other tools and some of them are Web 2.0 applications. My professors are helding keynotes and speaches of conferences regularly, and just last week I saved my department for 2-3 plane tickets to Santa Barbra. Saving money and non-productive traveling time are of course important, but more important is the environmental perspective.

The sad thing is, every time they need help with holding a keynote from their office, we are introduced to a new tool. Software might need to be bought and installed, and some times the solution depends on nagware like Real Player. My biggest hope is that Skype could get functionality to import Powerpoint presentations and that it can make them in to HTML slides that can be used next to a video conference. This functionality would be perfect for Skype, imagine how many researchers are travelling around in the world only to hold presentations that are to last an hour or less?