Skype for business mac preview

We’ve been using Lync for some time on Windows and Mac. Microsoft has moved on with Skype for business on the Windows platform. Now a preview for the Mac is available and I decided to sign up for the preview at https://www.skypepreview.com

After been accepted I dowloaded the latest build and started using it. The App has a “check-for-updates” menu item, so no more searching for the download link.

Little snitch reports connections to hockeyapp.com, microsoft.com and microsoftonline.nl. This is expected with preview / beta software. Other connections go to lyncdiscover.valid.nl and autodiscover.valid.nl to connect to my colleagues at valid.nl.

Everything works like on the Windows platform. Some features are missing, but the core functionality is there. Like chatting, voice / video and screen sharing.

My experience is good. I mainly use the chat to communicate with colleagues and that just works. We’re planning to do monthly virtual meetups and then it’ll have to prove worthy.

About erictummers

Working in a DevOps team is the best thing that happened to me. I like challenges and sharing the solutions with others. On my blog I’ll mostly post about my work, but expect an occasional home project, productivity tip and tooling review.

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2 Responses to Skype for business mac preview

Patrick says:

October 12, 2016 at 9:04 pm

Is there a way I can get the install from you? I have to use Lync and its 100% terrible.

- erictummers says:
  
  October 13, 2016 at 7:02 pm
  
  I’m sorry Patrick, but Microsoft doesn’t permit distribution. You can sign up yourself with your live id.
  
  Can I distribute the client to my organization if I sign up as an individual?
  No. Distribution of the client is only available when an IT Administrator signs up their organization. If you would like other users to participate as an individual without signing up as an organization, please have them sign up directly.