On May 11, 2011, at 9:15 AM, Florin Iucha wrote: > On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 08:16:47AM -0500, Ryan Coleman wrote: >>> On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 07:06:14AM -0500, Ryan Coleman wrote: >>>>> http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2009/02/24/skype-steals-bandwidth-%E2%80%94-even-when-you-are-not-using-it/ >>>> >>>> I read the blog. What makes it any different than AIM, Yahoo, etc., >>>> that calls home regularly to tell you if your friends are online or not >>>> or that you are online. Do you get a disclaimer on Adium or Pidgin or >>>> Trillian? No. >>> >>> Well, duh! "Calling home" to see who else is connected is an obvious >>> design for a person-server-person communication system. Just like >>> IRC. But with IRC or Pidgin, the only thing going through your wire >>> are bytes that you are originating or that you are receiving. For >>> your benefit. With Skype you might be receiving, sending or computing >>> checksums on behalf of other people whom you have never met. >>> >>> Now, this is not necessary a bad thing - this is how Skype makes money >>> and can keep its services discounted to clients and profitable to the >>> shareholders. As long as you know and you agree, all is fine. The >>> trouble is when Skype consumes more resources that one expects. >> >> Except that they have yet to turn a true profit :) > > How does $6bn sound? Well, ok... on the sale, but not as a business model.