It Looks Like Windows Live Messenger is Going Away

[Kevy Baby]

Ever since Microsoft announced that they would be acquiring Skype back in May, we’ve always been wondering if the company’s other IM clients would take a back seat. According to multiple sources, that looks to be the case, because it’s rumored that Microsoft will be shutting down Windows Live Messenger in order to focus more on Skype.Story (http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-rumored-to-shut-down-windows-live-messenger-in-favor-of-skype-05255643/)

I didn't even know that Microsponge purchased Skype.

[Snowflake]

I didn't even know that Microsponge purchased Skype.

Me either, well hell, at least it was not eBay that bought Skype. Still I do not feel good about it.

[mousepod]

Me either, well hell, at least it was not eBay that bought Skype. Still I do not feel good about it.

Microsoft bought Skype from eBay. eBay bought it in 2005 for $2.6 billion. Last year, Microsoft paid $8.5 billion for it.

I think Microsoft could have done better if they kept Messenger and spent their money on Marvel and Star Wars.

[Kevy Baby]

Skype worth more than twice as much as the Star Wars franchise, Skywalker Ranch and THX combined? Yeah, I can't see that.

[Kevy Baby]

eBay bought it in 2005 for $2.6 billion.I was curious and looked it up.This is the second time Skype has been bought out; after being started in 2003, it was purchased by eBay in 2005 for $3.1 billion. EBay then sold the majority of its stake in 2009 to a private investment group for $1.2 billion less than it paid.From this story (http://www.wired.com/business/2011/05/microsoft-buys-skype-2/).

Good investment for Silver Lake Partners (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Lake_Partners#Investments): a 300% ROI in just three years!

[mousepod]

I was curious and looked it up.From this story (http://www.wired.com/business/2011/05/microsoft-buys-skype-2/).

Good investment for Silver Lake Partners (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Lake_Partners#Investments): a 300% ROI in just three years!

Wow. Is Skype really that important/valuable? It seems like something I used back in the Mousepod days and haven't really used since.

[katiesue]

The young uns love skype.

[Moonliner]

Wow. Is Skype really that important/valuable? It seems like something I used back in the Mousepod days and haven't really used since.

Worldwide Skype is HUGE and brings in cash by the boatload.

[€uroMeinke]

Skype is also now integrated into Facebook - so it's got some reach

[innerSpaceman]

And in other news, people give up land lines in droves.

[Kevy Baby]

Not us. Although the only working phone is back in the bedroom (hard-wired). Since the battery just died on our cordless phone, we only know we're getting a call when the answering machine turns on (unless we're in the bedroom). For $18 a month, it's a little insurance policy.

[innerSpaceman]

what's an "answering machine?"

[Kevy Baby]

External voice mail

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I vastly prefer Google Hangout. My mom uses Skype all the time.

[Alex]

I'm weird in that I've never cared for instant messaging as a way of communicating with friends. I use it to conduct 90% of my business at work but don't have any IM tools at home.

I prefer inherently asynchronous. I don't want everybody to know I'm online and interruptable.

I just checked my phone history and in the last six months I've made two phone calls to someone other than Lani so Skype doesn't have much use to me (though we did use it for board meetings back when I was more involved with MousePlanet).

They're really starting to push videoconferencing at work over the last year and I really hate it. No offense to my friends but I don't think I would get anything more out of talking to any of them real time with a picture than I do via the quarterly text message.

I'm old and stodgety. Good thing I'm responsible for contributing to my company staying at the forefront of technology.

[innerSpaceman]

Back near the turn of the century, I used IM a lot in the evenings. I spend less time on the computer now at night, but nowadays it would never occur to me. Everybody's on facebook if they're online, I assume - so if anyone wanted to chat, they could. It rarely happens.

Interesting how patterns of online communication change over time. Back in the day, I knew lots of people who regularly IM'd - my boyfriend at the time chief amongst 'em. But it seems that trend has disappeared for the people I know. Currently it's all twitter and facebook. Wonder what it will look like in another ten years.