On November 8, Skype launched a beta of its 3.0 version for Windows. Notable new or enhanced features include:

• Skypecasts — enhanced free conference calls that anyone can join.
• Public chats — free chatrooms that can be publicized on Web pages.
• Click-to-call — enhanced browser plugins for Firefox and IE that hunt out phone numbers on the Web page you’re looking at and convert them into buttons that initiate calls using Skype.
• Extras — Skype’s ecosystem for third-party plugins now has much higher prominence.
• Skype API — enhanced application programming interface, including call transfer functionality.
• Streamlined user interface.

Skype has also published an improved Guide for Network Administrators, with much useful guidance on deployment and clarification of the SuperNode/relay issue.

… Richi Jennings