Why is Skype no longer user-friendly?

Question

So I just got this laptop and it has Windows 8 on it. God I hate Windows 8. Seriously, why would they force your computer to look and act like a touch screen even when it isn't a touch screen?
Anywho... Skype now has to connect with a Microsoft account. So I was forced to create a Microsoft account which meant that I needed to make an entirely new email account because Microsoft seems to only be able to connect through 3 obscure email accounts. I no longer have my old login info.The only other option is to link it with Facebook which I definitely don't want because then any time someone messages me on Facebook, I get it on Skype as well and the only way to get rid of the notice is to go through and re-read the message. (Oh and Skype doesn't even record any of your messages back to the person. It only records what the person is saying to YOU. So how the hell are you supposed to know what you've said to them?) And I also just don't want my Facebook friends to be mixed in with my Skype friends. My Skype is more personal and I don't let just ANYONE have my Skype info. So as you can tell I'm already pissed off.
I can't even see all of my contacts list or navigate it because there is nowhere TO navigate. Everything is pretty much gone. And now Skype also takes up my entire screen and it doesn't have all the options it used to. I really really reeeeally hate the full screen. The setup is completely different. Now I can no longer block and unblock people. I also can't seem to find the button that switches screens with users anymore. (And I'm actually PAYING for this crap!) There are all kinds of things missing now that I used to use all the time. And I hate that whenever anyone messages me, it pops up, makes a loud noise and takes up a quarter of the window. I'm watching a movie with my friends/boyfriend on my laptop and that stuff keeps popping up. So they can see these personal messages I'm getting on Skype. So stupid. Before it used to just be a tiny, quiet notification that would alert me that I've been messaged. It wasn't loud, big, and showing everyone and their mother what message it is I got. And even if I click 'close' on Skype so that I can no longer find it, those messages STILL pop up like that! I have to actually sign out which I don't want to do because it's a pain in the butt to sign back in.

Plus, if I move my finger slightly to the right or down on my mousepad, it replaces whatever I WAS looking at with Skype or whatever I have in that window on the top left. And sometimes it gets stuck replacing windows like it's having a frikken seizure and I have to just restart my computer or find a way to close Skype/other programs completely (which is hard when your mouse and the programs are flickering around like crazy) Which took me forever and a f#cking day to figure out, by the way. There is no program button for it on the taskbar anymore which is just ridiculous. Also, once I have gotten frustrated and have actually closed Skype, the only way (that I can see) there is to open it again is to right click the "Start" button (There isn't a start button anymore which also pisses me off), find 'search' and then actually type in the word Skype and THEN click where it says Skype. WTF IS THAT ALL ABOUT???? Why don't I just have a simple taskbar button for it??? Why do I have to jump through hoops to do anything on this god damned computer????

Anyway....I looked this up and it seems there is no way to fix this. Why would they make Windows 8, etc. like this when it just pisses people off? I mean, wasn't there SOMEONE working on the team who could have spoken up and said, hey man. This is a bad idea. Most people don't use touch-screen computers so this is a complete waste of time, energy, and money.


Please let the next Windows be easier to use. Pleeease.
And if anyone reading this actually does know how to stop all this stupidity happening on my computer, please lemme know. Thanks! I appreciate it!!!



Oh and now Yahoo, Facebook, and every other website I use changed everything as well which pisses me off but that's a whole other issue. I just don't get why people change their programs/websites/etc. and make them more difficult to navigate when their old site or program was perfectly fine and had practically no issues whatsoever...

Answer 1

The original, not blocky metro skype app is still available. And you can use whatever email address you want! :) http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/

On the link see the windows desktop one? That's the old nice easy skype

Answer 2

You might want to seriously consider going back to Win7. It depends on which laptop you got, not all still have drivers for Win7. Go to the support section on the manufacturers website, check the driver downloads for Win7. Then get a computer savvy friend to install it.



Like Jake said though, you don't have to use the metro / tile version of Skype.



Also note that you can arrange your apps on the start screen however you like. There's no need to type Skype into the search field each time.



But yeah, Win8 is load of steamin' BS, I completely agree.

Answer 3

There are settings in Skype to turn off the notifications.



There is a separation on your mouse, one side is likely the scroll bar. Learn not to hit it, you can train your hand to avoid it if you're aware of it.



As for other usability problems, other people had them too. Search them simply in google.



A few tricks right away...

Windows+D = go to desktop

Windows button = start menu. To search, just start typing (into nothing). A lot of what you need is there, just hidden.



If you use an external mouse, you can TURN OFF the built-in one. There is likely a key built into your laptop.



Best of luck. Computers will never move backwards when it comes to accomplishing tasks more quickly. Modern OS is built usually to predict what you want. If you need two different accounts, make two different users on the machine/OS.

Answer 4

You can easily download Skype for free here http://j.mp/1zK8gpG.



Skype is the most popular application on the market for making video calls, mobile calls, and sending instant messages and SMS.

Answer 5

Format and install Linux. Ubuntu or Mint.. (or anything you like really) and then enjoy~