One of the justifications offered for forcing the update from Skype 7 to Skype 8 is that Skype 7 is less secure and is not compliant with the GDPR data handling regulations.

Neither of these things affects the user interface in any way whatsoever.

The server infrastructure for Skype 8 has been updated to cope with these new requirements.

The "back end" of the Skype client, which handles message storage and transmission, has been updated in Skype 8, but Skype 8 is still sorely lacking in basic UI functionality.

The Skype 7 back end should be updated to use the same transmission and storage mechanisms as Skype 8, without changing the UI. This keeps the Skype 7 client running while also conforming to GDPR.

The Skype 7 client can then be kept running until Skype 8 is a suitable replacement.

The industry trend of re-working applications using design philosophies meant for mobile devices has been a gigantic mistake that has completely ruined the desktop experience.

Skype is merely the latest casualty to this trend of so called 'modern' mobile-centric design.

Applications created with this philosophy removes features, reduces productivity, and introduces interfaces using flat design and minimalist concepts that are difficult to understand and annoying to work with.

If we've learned anything in the 6 years since the release of Windows 8 is that Desktop users want a Desktop experience. Metro and the design philosophies behind it have driven the industry in completely the wrong direction and now every software firm and their dog has embraced 'the new hotness' of Swiss design implementing these terrible interface concepts ramming them down the throats of users who want nothing to do with it.

Make applications native to PC, do not compromise the design and functionality of applications and operating systems to compensate for the limitations of Mobile devices. Instead concentrate on making Mobile devices better.

This is something that has been bothering me for years. The updates have been making Skype look really atrocious. Now, I know it is the changing in design trends and trends of design changes all the time. It really does annoy me that the design trends are changing but nothing annoys me more than the design change of Skype. Basically what I am trying to say is please restore the old sound effects, restore the green color, and basically make it simple again. Also, the gradient message bubbles really annoy me. Also, I really enjoyed the old emoticons. I will always remember when I first got Skype. It was around Summer break in 2013. I was in elementary school. It was very fun for me and it was fun to use. I always enjoyed hearing the sound effects but now that has all changed. I am really sorry to say this, but you guys are killing Skype just like the way YouTube is killing itself with its new terms of service. I just want to see Skype off the Microsoft Store and back on the website. I know that today's design trends change everything but you do not have to follow today's trends. You can be your own thing. These Skype updates are really testing my sanity and I would really, REALLY appreciate it if you would restore the old Skype, the classic messaging software that everyone loved. Skype was the fun, lively messaging platform with moving emoticons. That's also something I want to point out: the new mojis with TV shows really bother me. I can't stand this anymore. Now, everyone uses Discord. Discord is not at all like Skype (what Skype used to be). I think you get what I am trying to say: make it simple again! If you would like to hear some more ideas or would like to respond to what I have said, please email me. Think about it! In the meantime, I am going to try and download the old Skype. Thanks for reading! -Shannon Stout