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Skype is really bad for text chat.

- It is closed-source, obfuscated, and untrustworthy overall (https://www.eff.org/secure-messaging-scorecard).

- The supported (Windows and Mac) versions have obnoxious ads, and the Linux version is buggy and 32-bit-only.

- Since it’s P2P-ish (which makes sense for audio and video calls), you can’t send a message to someone who’s offline and expect them to be notified (say, via e-mail, which Slack does). Worse, if you go offline, they won’t get it until you’re both on at the same time!

- Files shared on Skype don’t last. You have to use an external service.

- There is no permanent archive; logs are client-side and easy to lose. (You can get messages that are a few days old from peers, but there’s a limit – I don’t know exactly where.)



- It is closed-source, obfuscated, and untrustworthy overall (https://www.eff.org/secure-messaging-scorecard).

and Streak is open source?

- The supported (Windows and Mac) versions have obnoxious ads, and the Linux version is buggy and 32-bit-only.

I have the Mac version of Skype, where are the ads?

- Since it’s P2P-ish (which makes sense for audio and video calls), you can’t send a message to someone who’s offline and expect them to be notified (say, via e-mail, which Slack does). Worse, if you go offline, they won’t get it until you’re both on at the same time!

This part is true, it's pretty limited.

- Files shared on Skype don’t last. You have to use an external service.

Skype is more P2P

- There is no permanent archive; logs are client-side and easy to lose. (You can get messages that are a few days old from peers, but there’s a limit – I don’t know exactly where.)

Skype is for encrypted P2P communication.

Why not just use IRC?


Yes, I know. What point are you trying to make here? curiously asked:

> is there anything that slack does you can't do with skype?

So I named some things. Mostly being not P2P. I also prefer IRC over Slack, although you do need to have some system in place for staying connected all the time or receiving logs to make it workable for everyone.

Anyway, re: your points:

> and Streak is open source?

Slack? No, but I don’t have to allow arbitrary code to run free on my computer to use it.

> I have the Mac version of Skype, where are the ads?

Maybe they’re gone. Windows certainly still has them.

> etcetera

Sure, it’s P2P. That’s a fine excuse, but it also doesn’t make Skype good.




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