Skype Developer Zone Blog

An Event You Don't Want To Miss

2008-07-15T17:19:49Z

A new tool that I created called the SEHE ("Skype4COM Event Handler Example") will make sure that won't happen.

Click The Picture or Here for More Information

Using the event handlers and the API processing capability provided by the Skype4COM library can shorten all your software development cycles while simultaneously exposing you to awesome interface abilities of the Skype API.

There now is a tool available that I created in Microsoft Visual C# 2008, using the FREE Express edition that contains the full project as well as source code that supports all event handlers provided by Skype4COM library 1.0.31.0.

Not only does the tool display event information which can be useful for testing, it also shows how to deal with the Skype for Windows client program authorization, can send API commands to the Skype client and offers many other solutions as well.

Even if you don't use C# this tool can show you methods that may shorten your development cycles by using it as is or modifying it to help you test and debug your application.

This tool can be removed via the Windows control panel Add/Remove programs option if needed.

New Skype Certified product in June -- Trend Micro WTP for Skype

2008-06-30T15:05:31Z

Basically this is an antivirus that runs on the background and monitors all the URLs sent and received in Skype chats. When it detects some malicious URL, it sends an alert to the chat not to click the link. User can configure web threat protection strength and whether it pops up separate warning window. In addition to the client, there is also a webpage http://reclassify.wrs.trendmicro.com where user can enter URL and get feedback about that.

Developer Zone version 3 is out there

2008-06-16T09:08:50Z

When I took the role in Skype Developer Program team one of my goals was to make Developer Zone look world class - in the look and feel, content and structure.

Today I can proudly announce Developer Zone version 3 is out there - hope you like it

]]> What has been changed? We have:

New look

Partner section - for partners to share their experiences working with Skype. Videos, case studies, white papers etc all are most welcome.

Improved structure

Partner Spotlight - new topic in our Developer Zone for bringing out our bright and hardworking Partners and developers

SDP gallery

If you like to tell us what you think leave the comment below or if you have me (Halina Mugame, skypename: paheline) in your contact list, feel free to share your comments directly. I will be most happy to hear your opinions.

Developer Zone down for maintenance

2008-06-12T08:52:23Z

Developer Zone will be unavailable due to planned maintenance work from 9:20 GMT today. We expect it to be up and running again in two hours around 11:30 GMT.

Skype for Business Showcase in Stockholm, Sweden

2008-05-12T18:47:50Z

On Wednesday, May 14th, the Skype for Business team is hosting an open-house showcase in the Skype Stockholm office.

Virtually the whole product range is presented and you can try the Skype certified products and get help to understand how Skype can be used in your business.

Also if you want to develop a solution around Skype or for Skype, our team will be happy to explain and present the Route to Market for Partners. Actually, one of our key partners: Pamela will be presenting their recent Skype certified Fax solution for Skype.

Stop by Katarinavägen 5, by Slussen between 13.30 and 16.30 and say hi to the whole team!

PS. We are keen to meet our customers and get your feedback!

Skype sponsors Python Developer Conference (sold out)

2008-05-08T13:38:56Z

After the successful “PyCon Uno” in 2007, Skype is happy to support and sponsor the second Python Conference in "Firenze" Italy (happening in Florence).

Agenda:

Friday 9th, 16:00 – Palazzo Vecchio Salone de' Cinquencento

Opening ceremony with Richard M. Stallman (founding and philosophical leader of the "Free Software" movement) will give a speech about free software and its ethics.
Lucia De Siervo, member of the local government of Florence, will give the opening speech.

The event is open to the public and to the press. So please join us!!

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th – Hotel Laurus

Speaking tour, held by Italian most famous experts and international fame guests. About 300 participants were expected, among students, experts, businessmen and
professors.

Fortunately we will be 350... so the event is sold out, sorry!

We invited Arkadiusz to give a talk on his Skype4Py binding, which will provide also a larger overview and insight of the whole Skype API.

We hope to see you there and meet Python developers.

Vedali presto!

Support updates and fixes in EM 2.0

2008-05-02T12:10:47Z

It’s been a few months since my last update regarding support. The reason is that I wanted to wait until the new Extras Manager 2.0 has been released with Skype for Windows 3.8 so that there would be more good news to tell then normally. Now 3.8 is finally in Gold!

Some of you have been asking, what exactly has been changed in EM 2.0. Well, it looks pretty much the same as the old version, but there’s too many bug fixes to list them all here, more than ever before. It’s also more stable than before. We recommend that whenever your users are expriencing problems with Extras that you suggest them to try out 3.8 with EM 2.0. Here is the complete [Change Log](https://developer.skype.com/Docs/Extras/ChangeLog) of EM 2.0.

So, below is a long list of fixed bugs and completed feature request followed by the known problem in the end of the list. Please notice that the list of known problems only has new cases from the last Support blog post. Please click on the link below in order to get the list.

]]> Recently fixed issues:

Public API (SPA Jira project):

+ [PIF-840](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-840) – In some cases it happened that the users had old versions of PXML in their EM. We have found a reason for this and a fix is live which should update these users PXML’s over a few weeks time.
+ [SPA-242](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-242) – [MAC] Quite many API commands have been fixed for MAC. The list can be found from Jira. There’s still some work to be done though to make sure that all the commands supported on Windows are also working on Mac.
+ [SPA-477](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-477) – [S4C] GET PREDICTIVE_DIALER_COUNTRY funcion added to the S4C
+ [SPA-286](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-286) – [S4C] We have deprecated the usage of skype4comlib::conversion class in documentation.
+ [SPA-494](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-494) – [S4C] Implemented new UILanguageChanged event which was missing
+ [SPA-476](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-476) – [S4C] Implemented the "Silent Mode" event which was also missing before
+ [SPA-515](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-515) – CLEAR CALLHISTORY ALL was hiding the call tab, but call continued. This is fixed in Skype for Windows 3.8
+ [SPA-426](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-426) – command WINDOWSTATE has been implemented on ALL platforms now (Win, Mac, Linux)
+ [SPA-500](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-500) – [LINUX] SET CHATMESSAGE SEEN didn’t remove event from event panel
+ [SPA-511](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-511) – Audio device names had problems when they contained chinese characters
+ [SPA-324](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-324) – It was not possible to set audio device if its name ends with spaces. Fixed in a way that spaces at the beginning and at the end of audio device name are ignored.
+ [SPA-435](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-435) – problems with SET PROFILE CALL_FORWARD_RULES with usernames having a comma in it
+ [SPA-442](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-442) – Skype was crashing when sending OPEN CALLHISTORY with an account without any call history

Extras other than fixed in EM 2.0 (PIF Jira project):

+ [PIF-208](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-208) – [Pub Studio] Now it’s possible to choose in PS if the Extra should be shown to Skype, SkypeOut or both types of contacts
+ [PIF-746](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-746) – [Pub Studio] There was sometimes a problem when testing an Extra with PS while using Win Vista
+ [PIF-665](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-665) – [Pub Studio] Publishing Studio wasn’t sometimes creating the SPARC file properly

Extras, fixed in EM 2.0 (PIF Jira project):

+ [PIF-795](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-795) – Now EM will take care of uninstalling your Extra from the EM if windows uninstalling is being used by the user. Please check Jira for more details.
+ [PIF-809](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-809) – Extras Manager was not shuting down Extras on Skype Shutdown properly. Read more from Jira.
+ [PIF-208](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-208) – Now it’s possible to choose in PS if the Extra should be shown to Skype, SkypeOut or both types of contacts. You need the newest PS and EM for this to work
+ [PIF-706](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-706) – SkypePM wasn’t releasing binary resources of extra after it was terminated
+ [PIF-797](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-797) – $PluginDir$ in Publishing Studio wan’t working as intended when the path contains spaces
+ [PIF-792](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-792) – Sometimes the Extra's descriptions were missing from the Featured category of EM
+ [PIF-328](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-328) – Not all Extras were downloaded when attempting to download 4 or more Extras at once
+ [PIF-771](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-771) – It was impossible to change name of the extra back to the one that it was before
+ [PIF-757](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-757) – Problems with PromptForOrder were fixed. PromptForOrder was failing in a scenario where the Extra was launched by the Extras Manager automatically, after first closing down Skype and the Extra.
+ [PIF-713](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-713) – Description was cut in the Extra's downloading window if the description text was very long
+ [PIF-764](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-764) – Contact status was not correct in EM invitiation window for contacts in „Do no disturb“ mode
+ [PIF-709](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-709) – Removed the pointless „Number of people voted for this extra“ from the Rating window
+ [PIF-472](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-472) – Installed Extras were still showing up in New list in EM
+ [PIF-751](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-751) – Extras invitation used to get cancelled if the other side didn’t have that item in the pxml. Now the user will receive a warning instead
+ [PIF-817](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-817) – With H-type Extras there was a bug which made it possible to have several instances running at the same time although it was forbidden from the Publishing Studio.
+ [PIF-828](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-828) – "Load on startup" wasn’t working properly when using Windows Vista
+ [PIF-826](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-826) – [Extras Manager] Arabic language missing in EM

Other:

+ [SDS-281](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SDS-281) - Questions regarding audio quailty in playing sound file into a SkypeIn call.

Known problems:

Public API (SPA Jira project):

+ [SPA-523](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SPA-523) – Clear chat history does not clear "History" tab in client but only the content of chats. This is a feature request.

Extras (PIF Jira project):

+ [PIF-834](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-834) – [Extras Gallery] Search on https://extras.skype.com not working properly in some cases
+ [PIF-812](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-812) – [EM] Information bar in the Invitation dialog is not localized
+ [PIF-824](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-824) – [EM] The publishers name is not changed in the tooltip of MyExtras after the name change in Skype4Publishers
+ [PIF-830](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-830) – [EM] Feature request to add a status bar while the EM is updating the PXML
+ [PIF-827](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-827) – [EM] Getting "corrupt files" messages when trying to run Extras
+ [PIF-838](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-838) – [Pub Studio] Problems with publishing with the latest PS
+ [PIF-806](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-806) – [Pub Studio] "Advanced Settings" of "Publishing Studio" seems not to start.
+ [PIF-804](https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/PIF-804) – [Pub Studio] Japanese cant be used by "Description text"

New Skype Certified products in April

2008-04-30T15:46:45Z

In April there have been certified the following new software products:

Convenos Meeting Center Extra

Convenos Meeting Center is web-based collaboration software that combines a variety of collaboration functionality — participants can share documents and make notes on them, also share media and webpages, show and control their desktops or applications and draw pictures together. The initiator can use this Extra to select Skype contacts and start a meeting which will also create conference call and send a link to participants, collaboration will take place in web browser. In the meeting environment participants can post messages and collect notes, while the host can create polls that everybody can answer and see results. Alternatively, host can log-in Convenos via a homepage, enter contacts’ e-mails and create meeting from the web, then the invitations will be sent to e-mail addresses rather than via the Skype Extra. Starting a meeting this way, user can also choose what privileges to give to certain participants, create an Ongoing collaboration workspace for longer term projects, and add a Recorder to any meeting which means that s/he can record the whole collaboration session, both screen and audio. Convenos Meeting Center Extra is offered as a 30-day free trial product for Skype users. For more information, see http://www.convenos.com

PamFax

A straightforward application for sending fax. User can select file or scan a document, enter fax number, add some front page and send it, also get notification about its status on e-mail and Skype chat. After installing PamFax user will get some credit which is enough to send one page to some European or North American country, also to Australia or New Zealand. If sending fax costs more, user can pay for that in Skype credits.
For more information, see http://www.pamfax.biz

Ripplex Address Book

After two and a half years of Skype software certification, here is the first Skype Certified product that works on Mac OS. It has three different installers, Japanese and English for Windows and one in both languages for Mac. As the name itself says, it is an address book where user can enter friends' information -- name, address, phone, e-mail, Skype, webpage, YouTube, Google Talk etc. When connected to Skype, it imports also Skype contacts so user can call or chat with them directly from Ripplex. Also, Ripplex is a sort of community -- its users can send friend requests to each other, choose what information to disclose to different friends and get notified about friends' profile changes.
For more information, see http://www.ripplex.com

Update from Eion Robb and Brandon Holland

2008-04-25T11:38:43Z

Eion Robb about Skype and multi-protocol instant messengers

Hi, since we last spoke, I've had 17,000 downloads of the plugin.

And we've got multi-user chats working. Also, I've added a few more voice features to the plugin: you can now call directly from your contact list, call SkypeOut numbers and accept incoming calls. Since Adium and Pidgin still don't have voice or video working in their clients, the plugin uses Skype's own voice and video.

I'm aiming to be able to do everything with Pidgin/Adium that you can do with Skype, so the next thing I'm working on is sending SMS messages.

Checking the comments on Skype blog posts and posts on other sites, the biggest complaint is that, unlike other protocols in Pidgin/Adium, Skype needs to be running for the plugin to work.

While I am working on a way to solve this, it's a long while away from completion. Until this is ready, I believe that it's better to have this intermediate step.

A lot of people will already be running Skype while they're using Pidgin so they shouldn't find this a problem, but if you do, this plugin probably isn't for you.

Brandon Holland about Skype on AppleTV

I am doing really well!

]]> How many downloads I am getting? Since I released the plugin 2 months ago, I have had over 2,000,000 hits to the website and over 2000 downloads of the Skype plugin itself.

Any problems, new features? At the moment I am working on a much easier way to log in and change users, as well as an easier method to install the plugin.

And I also released my Skype Plugin for Mac OS Leopard Front Row few days ago where users dont't need an Apple TV anymore. It is available for download on my website.

Long time partners... SDP, what's going on?

2008-04-22T11:30:56Z

As I was editing the last post concerning Skype participation to the eBay DevCon, I realised the long radio silence we had.

I understand your keen interest in Skype's vision for partners and third parties in general. We have been a bit quiet on this front, but I'm happy to say that this is changing. I'll make an extra effort to keep you in the loop to ensure we are going in the right direction WITH you.

To begin with, I'm happy to relay Josh's quote in an interview on Skype's main blog:

Philosophically speaking, I do think we need to continue building a robust ecosystem and supporting the developer community as best we can. I’m taking a little time to understand where we are and what the next steps should be. Soon, I’ll share more thoughts on this on the Skype Developer Zone blog.

]]> I thought it was important that partner activities get a clear green light from Josh and I asked him to consider also a direct communication with you from time to time via this blog.

After that, what else is happening, you could think?

I want you to continue bringing all the great innovation and request your support as much as possible (via the process we have in place), get in touch with us by submitting your concept or white paper (via the partners inquiry form)... publish and get immediate visibility with our Web Extra Gallery: all that for free.

After all that you can be sure that Skype will bring you quickly to our route to market and our Skype users will have a richer experience thanks to various third party products.

Bear with me, come and meet us at eBay DevCon, as more is coming this week, this month and this year, starting with our monthly newsletter at the end of the week.

Time to Join Skype at the eBay DevCon

2008-04-17T16:17:29Z

Time’s running out – this year again Skype is happy to join the annual family event: eBay DevCon - Chicago USA - June 16-18 !!!

The eBay DevCon is, as I say, like a family dinner, you don't miss it or you should not because you can meet the new girlfriend of your cousin, see for the first time your uncle Steve's new baby!

In other word, register now before April 30 and you’ll save $245 and you can save the dance with us already!

]]> The eBay platform is evolving in ways that can dramatically boost your development productivity and, most importantly, your profitability.

Don’t miss this once-a-year chance get all the details first hand, meet like-minded peers and get up close and personal with key eBay executives and technical team who support the Developer Program!

New sessions added! Now over 60 technical and business tracks, with both Basic and Advanced sessions to meet all your needs, including:

* eBay Product Roadmap (most popular!)
* Brand new! Hands-on Code Lab for eBay Web Services!
* Advanced eBay/PayPal Check Out
* Marketing Your Software to the eBay Community
* It's All About the Money
* How To Win More Business From eBay's Best Buyers,
* Expanding Your Reach Beyond the US
* ...

Skype will be presenting:

* Skype Evolution Roadmap
* The Partners Route to Market
* Let's Get Started with Skype for Business

And you won’t want to miss…

1:1 with eBay, PayPal and Skype technical experts – get answers, vet ideas – it’s all about you!

PayPal Bootcamp will get you in shape for the Free PayPal certification exam - $150 value!

Hanging at the Developer Lounge, partying at the Beer Bash, playing on Wii stations and rocking out with Guitar Hero (yes!)

Register Now before April 30 and you’ll save $245!

Get in on the future of e-commerce.

Excel spreadsheet that sends sms

2008-03-18T14:16:39Z

Technorati-taggar: Excel,Skype,VBA,SMS

Our execs are a sporty lot and this time of year they like to spend time on the ski-slopes. Of course they still wanto keep on top of recent developments and one way to do that is to get regular sms messages with the data. As in most organizations the information they need exists in spreadsheets that. So how to get the information from the spreadsheets to the sms messages. Of course our analysts and business intelligence staff is equally sporty and don't like to spend time manually sending those sms messages. In comes me - in this case being a in-house developer! With a simple VBA script I fixed them up a solution that everyone seems happy with

]]>

Thought I should share the steps I did with you:

Created a new workbook
Named the sheets Message to be sent and Recipients and added some comments to help the BI staff
Wrote some VBA script that reads the message to be sent
Some more script to read the recipient mobile phone numbers from the spreadsheet
Added a button on a third sheet with the caption Send now
Another procedure to actually send the Skype sms message by
- Creating a reference to the Skype4COM library
- Attaching to the Skype
- Creating an outgoing sms message addressed to the appropriate recipients
- Setting the body of the sms message
- Sending it
Since the BIs don't want to stay by the computer to actually press the button so finally I also added a way to automatically send the message once a day.

Now we can all happily go skiing while the computers do the work!

If you want to read the source or even use the workbook as is, it is attached. I hope it comes in handy for you!

Second this year - February newsletter

2008-03-07T15:59:11Z

Another Skype Developer Program newsletter is out. Isn't this awesome?

From this edition you will find out about what's happening with SkypeFind, what is Yugma and more details about Extras publishing. Read all about it.

If you’d like to get our newsletter by email, sign up right here in the blog.

On the right-hand side of each blog post at http://share.skype.com/sites/devzone/, there is a Skype Developer Newsletter box. Just enter your email address and you will be sent out the newsletter once a month.

You have technical know-how to share? You are developing something new? Your company has a significant announcement, relevant for our developer community? Let us know! We have space for you in our newsletter

Server updated for our web gallery

2008-03-04T12:55:57Z

If you are a frequent viewer of skype.com, you maybe have noticed that our Webteam is working on the website.

As part of the work, we have changed the server of our web gallery extras.skype.com.

As a side-effect, some of you may have had problems uploading images. This problem is now fixed.

However, if you encounter any other issue please lets us know. Drop us a message at: Our Gallery Editor

New Skype Certified product in February -- OnState ACD

2008-02-29T12:40:04Z

A call center application for businesses to handle customers' requests. Unlike many other call centers, it is fully web-based, application window gets its content directly from the web and all configuration takes place in the web, too. To start using it, user must register on company's webpage, then OnState people will prepare the account for him/her. To give customers opportunity to contact people with different skills in one's company, user can create Call, Callback and Chat buttons to one's webpage. About managing workers, user can add their Skype usernames, add skills and assign them to different workers, then the customers' calls and chats will be routed to available worker that has the needed skill. On configuration page user (technically the administrator) can see the status of all workers (how long they have been available/busy/out to lunch, how many calls have been handled and who is currently on call) and make reports about that. And of course, administrator can make internal calls to workers.
For more information, see http://www.on-state.com