The Facebook page has the same viral effect (if you Like it, it will show up to all of your friends). So don't buy that.
Was just skimming back through the forum link again, about 50% of the comments appear to be new forum users. So some validity in that I guess. Although, have you ever registered on a forum to say you like something or is it normally a complaint/wanting to be heard.
For someone to complain about the Skype UI it is much harder, they would actually have to seek out a forum and register with the forum.
So 397 folks actively seeking out and registering + 160 registering to Skype's own forum does say something, no?
I wonder how many people really don't like it, but are living with it because they can't be bothered to seek out and register to complain!