Skype... Oh Skype.

I've been using Skype for a long time now, and it's pretty much the only way I chat to friends in game, and do video calls. Heck, I've even record a weekly podcast via Skype.

But, as I'm sure most people are aware, Skype is pretty shitty. The audio quality is so-so, the automatic audio ducking it does when someone talks is garbage and the part where it turns down all your other applications while you're on a call is inconsistent at best.

And now, it has even better ads:

Skype. Please, stahp. You're pushing me over the line. Anyone got any good alternatives (preferable with video chat too)?

I haven't had any problems with the audio quality and I'm Skyping with people on the other side of the planet while I use wifi.

Give it enough time and they will develop and ad blocker for Skype.

Going outside and talking to people in person?

You just have low standards.

*Edit: I mean, lower standards than myself. Skype works, that's why I use it. It could sound better.

Google Hangouts? I don't even know if that was meant as a suggestion or a joke, because I'm not a big fan of it. It gets the job done, I suppose.

For audio-only, you could give Mumble a shot. But someone I know runs a server with Mumble on it, and that's what I and other friends use. I haven't had any actual experience running it.

@chavtheworld: This seems good: https://jitsi.org/

Skype used to be a simple, clean and quick. Now is it garish with ads on everything which slows the whole thing down. It has also got more cumbersome compared to Facetime.

I actually had that moment where you here some random audio coming from your pc and you're trying to find the ad or pop-up that's playing that shit. Eventually closed my entire broswer and that's when I found that Sype now has ads.

I drop in on the Giantbomb PC Gaming Hub Mumble from time to time. I like it a lot. It actually has good audio ducking, which only turns down applications when people speak, rather than when you join the channel. Plus, it will work on programs you open after you entered the channel, rather than having to fudge with audio levels all the time like in Skype.

Oh sweet, is the multi-video stuff free? I hate that that is behind a paywall in Skype.

http://www.razerzone.com/comms

Razor Comms might do you alright if you don't need video. I'm not sure how the quality stands up. I know its build around the being used for games.

@chavtheworld: I think it's all free, also it has OTR encryption and so on.

I'm using google Hangout for a while and am quite happy with it, super light, only seconds of installation, slick interface, great quality and not cluttered with ads and other unneeded stuff.

The trick is to convince other people to use it because everyone uses skype. ;p

@video_game_king: Google Hangouts.

I still use Skype 4.2, which works great and isn't full of the post-acqusition bullshit.

I just got this one when my friend called me. It's so bad.....

Don't knock the ads. That's how the NSA listens into your calls. Embrace it and learn to love it. They have drones.....

@peasantabuse said:

I just got this one when my friend called me. It's so bad.....

Reinforcement of my opinion that marketers and advertisers are scum. Thanks!

I dont mind Skype. I also don't spend anytime looking at Skype. I launch a call and then go do other things while chatting.

@chavtheworld: Hangouts is pretty awesome.

Time to never update, and install 3.8 instead.

Are we doing this duder? Are we moving off Skype once and for all?

I was gonna say C3, but it doesn't have video chat. But Google Hangouts looks great. I'll be downloading that this evening because Skype is pissing me off as well.

@peasantabuse: @chavtheworld: What version of Skype is that?

Also this might be of use:

Open the hosts file in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\.

and add: 127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com to it.

To prevent the ad server requests from going anywhere.

Google Hangouts dude. It's has better quality, is easier to use, more features and can even be used in browser (with a Chrome plug in). Oh and there's no pay wall bullshit, you can get a load of people all on camera and it does a great job of handling all that.

It's leagues better than Skype. Use it and you won't look back.

I use a three year old version of Skype so I have no ads and a simple and functional chat program.

Maybe. I'mma start looking up how to set up a Mumble or something. Something which makes recording easier too would be dope.

Are hangouts really that good? Do I need to use my silly Google+ account? And do they provide any sort of recording ability (in 192kbs or higher)? If you could answer those I'd be grateful, thanks duder!

Well, you didn't lie!

Not sure if better though haha. Cheers for the advice.

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to say, it's 6.10 something. Windows 7. Also I presume you've listened to the newest Bombcast @hamst3r? There's some serious remix potential there I believe... ;)

EDITEDIT: I clicked the blank bit a bunch, and the adverts came back ahah.