This -might- be a good thing. I'm guessing MS will incorporate it into Win8 so they have their own alternative to aPples FaceTime.
If that's the case the current pay for services might become free.

So it's definitely NOT a good thing. I use skype on Linux to talk to my family (which also uses Linux).

It's in Microsoft's favor to keep it available and working on Mac, IOS, Android, AND Linux devices and computers. This ties all those OS's into their product and allows them to say "Talk to your friends no matter what they're on!"

maybe... or maybe no.
skype is really a big thing for linux, by killing it they would force a lot of people to use windows for that.
it's very difficult to predict what will happen, let's wait and see, but I'm not optimistic :(

k.a.

I already hate the windows version of skype.. goodie..

http://www.purehacking.com/blogs/go.....y-pure-hacking

tl;dr: Hacker sends you carefully crafted Skype message, your OS X-based computer is compromised.

I have a Windows based computer. I just hate the interface and the way the program is set up on windows vs. mac and the fact that I have to have a nasty ad plastered on the bottom of the contact window. Mac version is simple and clean.

This may actually a good thing. The buyout may allow Microsoft to provide skype software and hardware devices to connect with Microsoft Communications Server and other VOIP and video conferencing platforms. Open communications to every platform is extremely important, especially those skype-built devices, which will allow businesses to integrate consumer devices to their business network.

Hm..this could either be very good or very bad. It's still the same team, just different executives. We'll just have to find out!

Well personally I don't see much of a problem with that, we still have the same team for the new Skype no?

Not looking forward to this. Now, if it was Google, I'd be all for this.

Google owns more than enough companies. They have their fingers in every pie imaginable, and have already FUBAR'd Youtube and have not listened to any of their consumers when what they did was unpopular. I've personally seen a Google representative lie to everyone's face and say they couldn't change youtube back to the original version when they changed it to the current layout, and removed the star ratings.

I wasn't a fan of the stars. I just hope Skype doesn't turn into a complete pay service.

Dang it!

I heard about this from another source... thought you might appreciate a crosslink there Snap
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2330965/

I'll bet Micro$oft bought Skype after the last outage they had for nearly a day.

Let's face it. Skype was run with carelessness and incompetence.

And that's how you become an instant billionaire, folks. Create an internet platform that catches like wildfire, then screw it up enough for a multi-billion-dollar company to buy you out. ^^

Lesson learned yet? ^^

I'm not clear on why this is a bad thing.

It's bad when a company gets control of a product and creates it so that you have to use it THEIR way. Skype could become a product only usable on MS platform. Say good bye to Lenix and Apple users.

We can only wait and see what will happen.

Exactly, we should wait and see. It'd be very foolish for Microsoft to cut millions of Mac and Linux users off from Skype.

If Microsoft made it only available to MS users, they would lose a lot of money from Apple and Linux users who use the pay services, and Microsoft knows that. Nothing will change with compatibility, I'm sure.

>Microsoft will acquire Skype for $8.5 billion US
nope.jpg

If all of these fucking companies (microsoft, apple, etc...) donated a THOUSANDTH of their yearly profits to the government, just for ONCE, our national debt would be kaput.

That sale price is approximately 1/1600th of the national debt.

And it was only about 20% of Microsoft's money~

^ this, not to mention that I was talking about all major companies

how about the goverment just spend less?

well that wouldn't clear the debt we have now, it would just stop it from piling up as quick

Granted, still a good thing, but not what I was talking about

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFSHHHHHHHHHTRHRHHRHHRhrhtrhthrhtrhthhrtrhtrhttr asarpoighnprohgmc;

or this may result in absolutely non apparent changes.

Any skype 4.0 or newer was shit anyways.

I dont use skype that often, but I've had few troubles with it. I'm not sure if microsoft buying it would be a good or bad thing, but I doublt it will be very bad, otherwise, microsoft is just tossing away their investment.

As far as alternatives..... for over the internet pc to pc chat, you cant really beat google talk. last time I used it, is sound quality was better than skype.

I used to be somewhat ambivalent toward Skype, as it seemed they neglected Linux users...but after I saw what a monstrosity Skype became on Windows, I'm actually thankful for that neglect.

But yes, I'm sure this is a classic "embrace, extend, and extinguish" move that is Microsoft's forté. It may not matter much for current Windows users, but it's hard to see how it wouldn't affect Mac and Linux users adversely.

What sucks is the state of VOIP on Linux is laughable. To date I've not gotten ANY SIP provider to work, and the whole mess seems like a tangled spaghetti of networks and caveats. Skype simply worked.

I already have an alternative to Skype. It's called a 'telephone'.

you try doing one-hour long international phone calls....

Hrm, well that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. I say we just see what they do with it. Personally... Ventrilo >>> Skype for me anyday.

Now here's a question I've been pondering, what's to stop the makers of Skype to come up with another service that's the exact same with just a different name? Is there some sort of copyright/rights involved to stop that? Just curious.