Microsoft is shutting down its classic Skype for Business Online service on May 5, 2025. The company has been encouraging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams, its newer communication and collaboration platform, for several years. While consumer Skype will remain unaffected, businesses still using the legacy Skype for Business platform are urged to complete their transition to Teams before the deadline to avoid disruption. Microsoft highlights Teams' enhanced features and integration with other Microsoft 365 services as key benefits of the switch.
Meta is arguing that its platform hosting pirated books isn't illegal because they claim there's no evidence they're "seeding" (actively uploading and distributing) the copyrighted material. They contend they're merely "leeching" (downloading), which they argue isn't copyright infringement. This defense comes as publishers sue Meta for hosting and facilitating access to vast quantities of pirated books on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, claiming significant financial harm. Meta asserts that publishers haven't demonstrated that the company is contributing to the distribution of the infringing content beyond simply allowing users to access it.
Hacker News users discuss Meta's defense against accusations of book piracy, with many expressing skepticism towards Meta's "we're just a leech" argument. Several commenters point out the flaw in this logic, arguing that downloading constitutes an implicit form of seeding, as portions of the file are often shared with other peers during the download process. Others highlight the potential hypocrisy of Meta's position, given their aggressive stance against copyright infringement on their own platforms. Some users also question the article's interpretation of the legal arguments, and suggest that Meta's stance may be more nuanced than portrayed. A few commenters draw parallels to previous piracy cases involving other companies. Overall, the consensus leans towards disbelief in Meta's defense and anticipates further legal challenges.
Freedesktop.org and Alpine Linux, two significant organizations in the open-source Linux ecosystem, are urgently seeking new web hosting after their current provider, Bytemark, announced its impending closure. This leaves these organizations, which host crucial project infrastructure like Git repositories, mailing lists, and download servers, with a tight deadline to migrate their services. The loss of Bytemark, a long-time supporter of open-source projects, highlights the precarious nature of relying on smaller hosting providers and the challenge of finding replacements willing to offer similar levels of service and support to often resource-constrained open-source projects.
HN commenters discuss the irony of major open-source projects relying on donated infrastructure and facing precarity. Several express concern about the fragility of the open-source ecosystem, highlighting the dependence on individual goodwill and the lack of sustainable funding models. Some suggest exploring federated hosting solutions or community-owned infrastructure to mitigate future risks. Others propose that affected projects should leverage their significant user base to crowdfund resources or find corporate sponsors. A few commenters downplay the issue, suggesting migration to a new host is a relatively simple task. The overall sentiment reflects a mixture of worry about the future of essential open-source projects and a desire for more robust, community-driven solutions.
Summary of Comments ( 5 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43205677
Hacker News commenters largely lament the loss of Skype, focusing on its previously excellent quality and reliability, particularly for international calls. Many express frustration with Microsoft's handling of the platform, believing they intentionally let it degrade after acquisition. Some suggest Microsoft prioritized Teams integration to the detriment of Skype's core functionality. Alternatives like Zoom, Teams, and Discord are discussed, but several users feel none fully replicate Skype's specific strengths, like its robust handling of poor connections. A few commenters also reminisce about Skype's history and innovative features, noting its pioneering role in video calling and screen sharing.
The Hacker News post titled "May 5, Microsoft's Skype will shut down for good" has generated a number of comments discussing the shutdown of Skype and its implications. Several commenters express a sense of nostalgia for Skype's early days, recalling its role as a disruptive force in telecommunications and its superior call quality compared to alternatives at the time. They lament the decline in quality and functionality they perceive to have occurred after Microsoft's acquisition.
Several commenters attribute Skype's downfall to Microsoft's mismanagement, suggesting that feature bloat, integration with other Microsoft services, and a shift in focus away from core functionalities led to its decline. The integration with Teams is specifically mentioned as a potential motivator for the shutdown, with some speculating that Microsoft is trying to consolidate its communication platforms.
Some users discuss their continued use of Skype, highlighting specific features they appreciate and will miss, such as screen sharing and group video calls. They express concern about the transition to alternative platforms and the potential loss of established group chats and contacts. A few users suggest alternative platforms they plan to migrate to, including Zoom, Discord, and Telegram.
There is also discussion of the broader trend of established platforms being superseded by newer alternatives, with Skype cited as another example of this phenomenon. Some commenters discuss the network effect and how difficult it is for even established players to maintain their position in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The comment section also touches upon the issue of platform dependence and the challenges users face when a service they rely on is discontinued.
A smaller number of comments express indifference to the shutdown, indicating they haven't used Skype in years or have already transitioned to other platforms. Some users question whether the shutdown will be truly "for good," speculating about potential future iterations or niche uses for the technology.