Earlier quoted context omitted.
Any hints as to the problem? Affecting Global Index or something else?
it's a bug :) here's some official info http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/12/skype_downtime_today.html
the bug in what exactly? possible to disclose?
Great. Skype is down.
61–69 of 69 posts
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#62Although generally Skype is very reliable, I think this does make a case for open, distributed systems, at least when it comes to something that many, many people and organizations are reliant on.
People make this argument every time something quietly critical fails or doesn't work the way they want it to. As a recent example, look at the completely false FUD about ICANN "seizing domains"; there were nearly instant calls for an "open, decentralized" DNS. It's almost as if these proposed solutions wait for the slightest problem to occur, then everybody rushes to pitch a Tor utopia. I personally would greatly fe…
But spreading FUD about decentralized/p2p systems is OK, right?
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#63Haven't searched much yet - does this have anything to do with the Skype protocol encryption being cracked and the people responsible leaking POC code before they release it to the world this month at 27C3?
It was already released back in August. I don't understand why you're getting downvoted, though; it must have been a very valid concern before Skype made any announcements.
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#64I've been really enjoying using Mumble for voip pair programming today during the Skype downtime. It's really easy to set up a server, and it has a lot more flexibility as far as mic sensitivity. I find the latter to be very useful when working in a noisy coffee shop or outside during the summer. http://mumble.sourceforge.net/
Mumble, while designed as a game chat system, is excellent for any kind of audio conferencing. It can be configured with very low latency (lower, in fact, than shouting down the hall) and CD quality audio.
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#65Earlier quoted context omitted.
Landlines are from a different era of expected reliability. They carry their own power because it was considered too unreliable to depend on your home's electricity.
And that is a very healthy precaution. I really do not want to lose that security.
but it's not so necessary anymore. If my home line is down (which can happen since it's over ip), with a simple power outage, I can still call with my mobile. If my mobile is out of battery I can call with my girlfriend's mobile.
Then the neighbours.
We have highly redundant communication systems compared to when landlines were the only option and SPOF in the building.
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
And that is a very healthy precaution. I really do not want to lose that security.
but it's not so necessary anymore. If my home line is down (which can happen since it's over ip), with a simple power outage, I can still call with my mobile. If my mobile is out of battery I can call with my girlfriend's mobile. Then the neighbours. We have highly redundant communication systems compared to when landlines were the only option and SPOF in the building.
If your home line is down and nearby cell stations are not operational, then what? Pigeons? :)
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#67Haven't searched much yet - does this have anything to do with the Skype protocol encryption being cracked and the people responsible leaking POC code before they release it to the world this month at 27C3?
It was already released back in August. I don't understand why you're getting downvoted, though; it must have been a very valid concern before Skype made any announcements.
Heh, well it's going to be a concern again after this month. IIRC they said they are going to release a more complete tool to let you explore the Skype network in general (besides just decoding packets for sniffing). In theory you can penetrate corporate networks wherever there is a Skype client running, and if they found a bug in an old version of Skype it's possible they could send a worm through the network and take out a lot of machines.
But maybe it is more likely that it was just an innocent bug. I just asked the question because it seemed like a big coincidence that Skype should go down right before these guys do a big exposee on the protocol and encryption.
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
but it's not so necessary anymore. If my home line is down (which can happen since it's over ip), with a simple power outage, I can still call with my mobile. If my mobile is out of battery I can call with my girlfriend's mobile. Then the neighbours. We have highly redundant communication systems compared to when landlines were the only option and SPOF in the building.
If your home line is down and nearby cell stations are not operational, then what? Pigeons? :)
It depends: what is the occasion in which the power grid goes down (or your IP carrier is down) and multiple mobile operators are down?
Let's say: flooding, earthquake, riots, evil government shutting down telcos.
Then there is a high chance that also my land line would be down.
Thinking of it, I must get some homing pigeons _now_ ;)
Re: Great. Skype is down.
#69Why are we down on Skype for their first outage in three years? My cable internet, electricity and cell phone service all fail more frequently than that. Once in three years seems pretty damn reliable to me, especially considering that I pay literally nothing to use Skype.
My landline at home has never* had an outage in 27 years. * that I'm aware of
No phones that I could find were working on the morning of September 11th, landline or cellular.