The widespread failure of Skype’s Internet telephony service last week happened when millions of Windows users tried to log in to the system at the same time, after downloading a software update from Microsoft and rebooting their machines, Skype said today.
Skype said that the load placed on its system as computers rebooted after receiving a routine set of patches from Microsoft’s Windows Update service revealed a previously unknown bug in the Skype software.
Although the Skype network has a built-in self-healing function, the bug within the network resource allocation algorithm prevented the function from working as designed, according to the company. Skype has identified the bug, which was a design error and not caused by hackers, it said. The company has already introduced “a number of improvements” to its software to help resolve the problem.
2nd Law of Dialectics at work. Quantitative change leads to qualitative change.
Uhhh yeah because uhh last week was the first patch Tuesday evarrr!
Was this a continuous, two day reboot frenzy or a single, humongous reboot that fried their Servers?
Microsoft is long past caring how much damage they do to developers. Since they often break their own software as well, it’s clear they DON’T give a damn who they hose as long as cash flows.
VISTA is the epitome of hubris. There have been few more arrogant releases in decades of software. If VISTA provided a single viable benefit, there may be justification. But no, VISTA is simply Redmond raping consumers once more for old times sake.
ALL PC manufacturers should have the courage to offer XP as an alternative to Vista.
Get a real phone.
yet again, a central point of administration is allowed to become a single Point of Failure. wtg Skype!
A much bigger problem is that the newest Skype download (3.5.0.202) is full of adware. Good news is that you can turn it off: Options/Notifications/Alerts & messages. Just uncheck all the adware boxes.
Maybe it’s just as well Skype lags behind on the Mac versions? Ain’t no adware in the latest version.
Overall Skype service has been very good value
Easy to use interface and reasonable phone quality with a good headset
This was bound to happen at some point in time
Although Skype did not have customer service line- it really would not of mattered
Skype reacted prompty and as well as it could.
You might of thought that giant microsoft would of tested the beta releases of the windows / vista patches
Skype is not an unknown product
But then again most microsoft product releases are beta versions in essence.
With ebay owning Skype and quietly seeding management it is amazing that with ebay’s haughty ( even abusive levels of customer service ) that we have not seen more of this.
Had this happened on ebay – somehow the ebay customers would of bees charged – even abused in the process.
The training course of ebay must include “God has chosen you to work for ebay. Ebay can never be wrong . No matter what. Ebay paying customers should only be grateful that they are allowed to pay ebay service fees”
From the article:
“Skype said that the load placed on its system as computers rebooted after receiving a routine set of patches from Microsoft’s Windows Update service revealed a previously unknown bug in the Skype software.”
Microsoft’s fault? I trow not.
Sure, just blame Microsoft for it! That’s what everyone else does.
Plain and simple the internet capacity is running almost at max sometimes. Yes, updates from Microsoft contribute to that but it’s not the only thing. This is also why any type of HD video movies will not work over the internet. We simply do not have enough bandwidth!
Microsoft sucks, the fact just has nothing to do with this occurrence.
It was actually deviously clever of eBay/Skype to insert the Microsoft update connection to the problem, knowing that the average reader would seize onto the Microsoft part and downplay or even overlook the Skype software bug.
what a load of BS! this is smoke and mirrors at its best!
With MS having bought Skype, I guess this should not be too much of worry going forward, as they work hand-in-hand now.