Skype Hype
I’ve been hearing about Skype for about a year now, but had no idea what it actually was. The O’Reilly Network just put an end to my ignorance with the article “What is Skype,” by James Gaskin.
Perhaps the coolest thing about this free telecommunications tool — aside from the fact that it’s free — is how secure it is. Instant messages, file transfers, and voice calls all use 256-bit encryption. For stronger encrypted communications than that, you’d need restricted-access military equipment. No doubt the Department of Homeland Security is going to be all over this, demanding backdoor keys and whatnot, once they realize how popular Skype is becoming.
Updates
- 9/12/2005 @ 8:36 AM — According to CNet News.com, eBay has agreed to purchase Skype for $1.3 billion in cash and another $1.3 billion in stock.
