I don't know if anybody else is affected by #Microsoft killing #Skype, but I have a Skype number that I've used for like 15 years. I like it. A buddy of mine runs "TossableDigits" and they can port that number out of Skype. I get get SMSs on it, do call forwarding or voicemail, and even use an API to make changes to how it behaves.

The other common use case for this is for people that want to give out disposable numbers. You can get a number, use it a while, then throw it away.

All based in the US, and they don't make any super special guarantees about privacy. So I'm not sure it's great if you want throwaway numbers for dubious purposes. But women who don't want to give out their real number to men they just met is a good use case. Or maybe even an on-call rota so that the on-call number is always the same, but forwards to whomever is on-call. APIs would let you do that automatically.

Just thought I'd share. I don't get any commissions or anything.

Microsoft is shutting down Skype, trapping money without refunds - The Washington Post
https://archive.ph/Rp1eN

Fedifriends, is anyone here a #Skype user who has successfully moved to #Teams *with* their calling credit (not a subscription)?

My account info and contacts successfully transferred, but not my calling credit (no dial pad in teams).

Most grateful for any insights and suggestions.

Wondering and pondering: in the past 20-something years we used #Skype to cheaply phone call far-away relatives and to #phone #call closer relatives when _we_ were far away.

Now that Skype will close, are there #alternatives to do the same (as in call land phones from the Internet)?
And no, both relatives have neither Internet nor a modern smartphone.

Cam someone help?

Microsoft announces the shutdown of Skype, moving users to Teams, highlighting the evolution of communication tools and the migration process.On May 5, Microsoft will officially retire Skype, a pioneer in internet communication, transitioning all users to Microsoft Teams. #business #communication #Microsoft #Migration #Skype #software #Teams #technology #redrobot

https://redrobot.online/2025/03/microsoft-to-retire-skype-shifts-focus-to-teams/

Microsoft announces the shutdown of Skype, moving users to Teams, highlighting the evolution of communication tools and the migration process.On May 5, Microsoft will officially retire Skype, a pioneer in internet communication, transitioning all users to Microsoft Teams. #business #communication #Microsoft #Migration #Skype #software #Teams #technology #redrobot

https://redrobot.online/2025/03/microsoft-to-retire-skype-shifts-focus-to-teams/

Welche #VideoTelefon Software nutzt ihr denn jetzt so mit den Eltern/Großeltern. Bisher lief #Skype, da einfach. Muss auf einem Android-Tablet laufen und nach Möglichkeit ohne UsBigTec

So #Skype is shutting down and I get messages to that effect. I'm noticing there's no mention of giving me my money back. I've got $5 on their system, and while I haven't used it probably in six or seven years, I've kept the acct active because I don't want #Microsoft to have my money.

It's not much and won't bother me if it's lost, but it would bother me that Microsoft is just keeping these credit balances for themselves without permission. There should be a class action or deal with that.

Jami vs Skype: Welcome to Where Your Privacy Matters

In a world where online communication is dominated by centralized platforms, #Jami stands out as a privacy-focused alternative. Unlike #Skype, which relies on proprietary servers and collects personal data, #Jami embraces decentralization, putting your autonomy and privacy first.

Want to explore the key differences that make #Jami a unique choice for privacy-conscious users? Read our article:

https://jami.net/jami-vs-skype-welcome-to-where-your-privacy-matters/

#fedihelp #unplugtrump
Wichtige Frage:
Was außer MS Teams kann #Skype zum Desktop-Chatten ersetzen? Es sollte a) funktionieren und b) unabhängig vom Handy sein (darum nicht Signal oder Threema)
Gerne boost und danke!!!

This week in #FDroid (TWIF) is live:

- #afreerdp / #freerdp big update for your #rdp needs
- #DeltaChat & #ArcaneChat message edits & deletes
- Hello new #Fossify Calc, goodbye old Calc
- #Jami welcomes #Skype refugees
+ 7 new apps
+ 231 updates
& 170 archived apps

Scroll by https://f-droid.org/2025/03/27/twif.html

My online #ttrpg group has been using #Skype for years. What alternatives can you suggest?

We'd prefer something well-supported and stable which is likely to stick around in the coming years.

EDIT: We use video.

Since #Skype is soon no more, I'm still looking for a VOIP.

My requirements:

"In" USA
Access from web/app on laptop
Outgoing USA calls only
Pay by PayPal

That's it. I don't need/want a phone number, because I don't need/want people to call me.

I've been paying CAD4.99/month for unlimited calls to USA. (I set up my Skype while living in Canada) I understand rates may be higher these days. No huhu.

None of the ones I half-ass researched can do it for one reason or another.

Any ideas?

Our thoughts on the announcement of #Skype closing shop in a few weeks: https://cloud68.co/blog/skypes-shutdown-is-another-opportunity-to-escape-big-tech

Rise Against Big Tech folks #rabt

#Skype disparait? Une alternative extra-états-unienne,
"#Jami"? https://jami.net

- Application pour appeler directement des contacts
- micro-chat, partage d'écran, audio et vidéo configurable
- conversation plurielle (à plusieurs)
- Multi-environnement (linux, win, mac, android…)
- Fonctionne en peer2peer (pas de serveur centralisé) et chiffré de bout en bout
- Open source, libre et gratuit
- Développer à #Montréal (Canada) et #Rennes (France) par "Savoir-Faire Linux"

In questa #newsletter parliamo di:
#Microsoft e la lenta agonia di #Skype
La crisi dell’#attivismo: cosa può insegnarci la battaglia per la #privacy?
Furto di #identità #digitale: come proteggersi efficacemente
L’#AGI è più vicina che mai! Ma il mondo non è ancora preparato a questi inevitabili cambiamenti #AI

@informatica

https://bit.ly/3Fr35Xd

Grazie #Microsoft che hai dato il colpo di grazia a #Skype (#SoftwareProprietario che almeno funziona) costringendo le persone a farsi #Teams (#SoftwareProprietario che manco funziona).
Ci voleva Microsoft per far migrare tutti i miei contatti/committenti da #Skype a @matrix

Skype → Matrix

Skype got shouted down by Teams and Zoom. But it revolutionised human connection | John Naughton https://www.theguardian.com/technology/commentisfree/2025/mar/08/skype-got-shouted-down-by-teams-and-zoom-but-it-revolutionised-human-connection #Technology #Microsoft #Computing #Internet #Telecoms #Skype #Zoom

Talking to an older relative who saw the news about #Skype shutting down and worried we couldn’t video call anymore (we’ve been using #Facetime for the last 5 years).
Wonder how many people have experienced that?