Skype releases Skype for Windows 3.6.0.244: changes and bugfixes and why they matter

As they do on an occasional basis, Skype

The rev is Skype 3.6.0.244 for Windows, and makes the following right:

change: Internet Explorer plug-in updated to version 2.2.0.147.  Jim Courtney of Skype Journal thinks this is important because, as he writes, "Currently the Skype browser plug-ins can only be installed during an installation of Skype. If you reject the option to install the appropriate plug-in, based on your default browser, during installation, there is no means to install it later. Many have noted and commented on the absence of these plug-ins that were previously independently available."

change: Audio device checking before placing a call and changing to windows default if previous device is non existent. Matters a lot to Jim as well. "Placing access to audio devices in the active call tab has been a great help on many occasions when an incorrect device was being used," he comments. "I would hope this addition will reduce the frequency of having to manually change audio devices."

change: Re-enabled config.xml keys for higher resolution and frame rate video. Jim: "This is the implementation of the previously announced restoration of a capability (for hackers only) to allow users to use the 640 x 480 resolution inherently available in more recent legacy webcams. However, there is no guarantee of frame rates or automatic adjustment to end user Internet connections; it is simply allows users to try out the 640 x 480 mode of the webcam. In other words it is not suitable for meeting High Quality Video standards which combines webcam resolution with video transmission capabilities to provide full 640 x 480 at 24 to 30 frames per second over a minimum 384 kbps upload Internet connections."

Now to the bugfixes, which should be self-evident:

bugfix: Skype generated high amount of page faults

bugfix: Skype crashed when unknown PSTN number was added to conference call

bugfix: Skype crashed on occasionally when computer was locked

bugfix: Skype crashed infrequently on shutdown

bugfix: Contact search window was incorrectly drawn when there were zero results

Localizations updated, too!