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Main Area and Open Discussion => Living Room => Topic started by: Josh on May 10, 2011, 07:37 AM
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REDMOND, Wash., and LUXEMBOURG – May 10, 2011 – Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: “MSFT”) and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.
The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.
With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.
Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.
“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”
More at source (http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/may11/05-10CorpNewsPR.mspx)
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[ You are not allowed to view attachments ] (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-buys-skype-for-85-billion-creates-new-business-division/9406?tag=nl.e539)
See http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-buys-skype-for-85-billion-creates-new-business-division/9406?tag=nl.e539
Presumably that will be the end of Skype as we know it and it will all be bundled into Windows Live Messenger with all the attendant crap that comes with it!
MS apparently are upbeat about support non-MS users but haven't we heard that before somewhere?
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Hm... I really can't decide how to feel about that. But I do wonder if they're going to go with a Live style Huggy-Feely interface, or do a clean straightforward business type interface.
Skype's interface has gotten progressively goofier with the last several updates, so I'd love to see a more back to basics strictly business UI.
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I believe Microsofts acquisition is more about integration and development of voip technologies into Windows, The Office Communications platform (which is fantastic, btw), and movement to expand VOIP supporting technologies.
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Presumably that will be the end of Skype as we know it and it will all be bundled into Windows Live Messenger with all the attendant crap that comes with it!-Carol Haynes
I'm not so sure that's guaranteed...And out of the three involved in the bidding (Google, FaceBook, MS), I do believe MS is the lesser evil.
FaceBook/Skype - Oh Goody I can Vcon with the Sheep on my farmville - Please let me die!
Google/Skype - Skype goes back into beta for the next decade as service slowly begins to totally suck.
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I believe Microsofts acquisition is more about integration and development of voip technologies into Windows, The Office Communications platform (which is fantastic, btw), and movement to expand VOIP supporting technologies.
-Josh
Well that (Implying a cleaner business UI) Would be delightful!
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I wholeheartedly disagree, Carol. Just because MS buys this does not mean it is done for as I outline in my second posting here (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26703.msg248596;topicseen#new)
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MS may be the best option out of the 3. I'd hate to see Skype folded into Facebook (& not sure what else they'd do with it to make it worthwhile for them). The business model behind all Google's businesses is pretty much the same as the Skype one & I think they'd make it work - but that would make it extremely hard for anyone to compete. MS's record with acquisitions is hardly positive. I assume they see a potential benefit in their cloudy ambitions & possibly with WM7 too - and that clearly needs all the breaks it can get to avoid a rapidly visible flop. But it is a very different business model to the ones that MS is used to milking and I'd be surprised to see them make it work, so I suspect Skype (as is) will decline and become no more. The one good thing with that is that Google will still be out there & will have the ability & desire to move into any space left behind by MS.
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Since the Linux version received about as much attention as I give beetles in Mongolia, MS taking it over is simply more un-good news. :-\
On a side note, what is it with independent services getting bought up by big conglomerates?
I understand the dynamics, but isn't there anybody who refuses to sell out?
Or is that simply the name of the game? :mad:
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Since the Linux version received about as much attention as I give beetles in Mongolia, MS taking it over is simply more un-good news. :-\
On a side note, what is it with independent services getting bought up by big conglomerates?
I understand the dynamics, but isn't there anybody who refuses to sell out?
Or is that simply the name of the game? :mad:
-Edvard
I think it is easy to say "I will not sell out"....until you see a check or cash sitting in front of you. Then, it becomes a whole new story.
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Oh, believe me I understand completely.
$8.5B is a [expletives deleted] insane amount of money; as in, you're [more expletives] insane if you don't take the offer.
I was just musing on about if the point was to create a killer service with the intent of eventually getting bought out.
Besides, even as I was going to counter "check or cash sitting in front of you" with "perhaps millions of disapproving users frowning behind you", it always happens that for some godforsaken reason users end up liking the arrangement. :huh:
e.g. Lala.com; when Apple bought them up, a few people here (including yours truly) expressed their deep displeasure.
The reaction across the internet, however, was along the lines of "Oh, goody, I hope they use the technology to fix iTunes"
:wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash:
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Since the Linux version received about as much attention as I give beetles in Mongolia, MS taking it over is simply more un-good news. :-\
On a side note, what is it with independent services getting bought up by big conglomerates?
I understand the dynamics, but isn't there anybody who refuses to sell out?
Or is that simply the name of the game? :mad:
-Edvard
I think it is easy to say "I will not sell out"....until you see a check or cash sitting in front of you. Then, it becomes a whole new story.
-Josh
Also, there's the fact that if I don't sell out someone will... and they'll have a check, and I'll have a whole new set of headaches from the new 800lb gorilla in the field...
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In fact, they had already sold out long ago. Sold it to ebay in 2005. Ebay sold it to venture capitalists (+ founders) in 2009, having not got the most out of it. Hardly a surprise to find venture capitalists then selling for a profit - that is what they do (except when they sell for a loss that is).
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I don't think they'll shut freemium model, so don't know why everyone is so upset because MS bought it. Atleast they're not sold to apple, you can guess the next UI of skype if it were to be from apple folks (clean video window with two buttons- call/end), skype interface at high doped apple minimalism).
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At first I was relieved because I'd heard rumors that Facebook was going to buy it.
But since Microsoft is an investor in Facebook, that might mean that Facebook will get it anyway. :(
I'm not sure how I feel about it yet either.
With Microsoft, I don't think it's a guaranteed failure, but I can't really be certain either way.
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I wholeheartedly disagree, Carol. Just because MS buys this does not mean it is done for as I outline in my second posting here (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26703.msg248596;topicseen#new)
-Josh
Actually I probably agree with what you said but I would be surprised if the Skype technology isn't used within other MS products rather than keeping Skype as a free service as it is now. OK they say that isn't their intention but MS have acquired much in the past that has been absorbed and transformed into other projects and completely disappeared in its original form. Unfortunately MS don't always do justice to their acquisitions.
Take Windows Defender as an example - they bought up another anti-spyware product and made a complete hash of it.
I can't help feeling that the basic technology of Skype will be absorbed in to the Windows Live cloud (and in particular Windows Live Messenger which is pretty crap at voice and video IME) and also into some premium products. Personally I used to use Windows Messenger (the one that was built into Windows XP) and also MSN Messenger but the Live incarnation is unpleasant to use because of all the crap-bloat and the settings that make Facebook look transparent!
Whatever they do they will be working hard to recoup their $8.5bn so you can bet there will either be a massive advertising push onto cloud products or they will start pushing communicator to businesses in a bigger way - probably both!
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MS can't do any worse on the Mac version of Skype than it already is -- It's horrid on the Mac.
We'll see though. I like Skype and use it daily.
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Take Windows Defender as an example - they bought up another anti-spyware product and made a complete hash of it.
-Carol Haynes
I don't think that's entirely accurate. Isn't MSE based on Windows Defender? And to be sure, MSE is decent enough AV that I run it and nothing else.
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I also run MSSE alone, and it has caught quite a bit. No issues with it here...
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MS can't do any worse on the Mac version of Skype than it already is -- It's horrid on the Mac.
We'll see though. I like Skype and use it daily.
-Renegade
Me too.
I'm curious to see what they do to the Linux version. :o
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At least they're not sold to apple, you can guess the next UI of skype if it were to be from apple folks (clean video window with two buttons- call/end), skype interface at high doped apple minimalism).-mahesh2k
Two Buttons! Perish the thought, for Mac you only get One Button (follows the mouse theme). Hold down the magic button, wait for your desired task to appear (from a list of 1,000 items - Much like the Mac Wheel) and then release the button. What could be simpler?
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Maybe MS could also start funding Mono, make it a first class .NET alternative, then rewrite Skype in Mono for the Mac and Linux~! :)
Wishful thinking...
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A Skype SDK would be fun...
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A Skype SDK would be fun...
-Stoic Joker
I was thinking that the other day -- I've been working with the Facebook and Twitter SDKs/APIs lately.
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This could be a lot worse than any of us previously imagined...
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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This could be a lot worse than any of us previously imagined...
(see attachment in previous post (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26706.msg248675#msg248675))
-Deozaan
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~! :D
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Take Windows Defender as an example - they bought up another anti-spyware product and made a complete hash of it.
-Carol Haynes
I don't think that's entirely accurate. Isn't MSE based on Windows Defender? And to be sure, MSE is decent enough AV that I run it and nothing else.
-wraith808
Is it? I thought MSE was built on the same engine as their corporate AV solutions ???
Windows Defender was based on Giant Anti-Spyware which MS bought in 2004 and MSE dsiables WD and replaces the functionality.
Trouble is the current version of WD is pretty useless (as were most of the versions since it was released in 2005 as a beta) - so much so that you need to use other products to detect spyware. The only thing I find WD achieves is a level of annoyance as the settings are so dumbed down that you can't do much to address any issues it flags up (especially when they are false positives). Classic example, yesterday I was working on a client computer and WD kept complaining it detected changes but refused to give me any information as to what those changes are to try and check them out!
If they do keep Skype going in any standalone format you can bet your life they will integrate it with Windows Live with all the annoyances that causes with passport accounts and impenetrable security settings.
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In 2003, Microsoft bought Romanian antivirus company GeCad, who made an antivirus product called RAV (which ingeniously stood for Romanian Anti Virus), which they eventually rolled into MSE.
IIRC, they were the only company company in the world at the time that made a commercial Linux-native antivirus, and I saw it as an anti-Linux move, but I may be biased :-[
I also thought the anti-spyware stuff they bought out ended up as Microsoft's "Malicious Software Removal Tool". :huh:
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Skype keeps the laptop/desktop as a good tool for communication - that's of value to microsoft in the face of all the cloud and mobile stuff.
I cant seem them kill it, it running on all platforms increases its value for all.
Although certainly they will make it play nice with office, live chat, and is also extend the corporate services so skype can work within the business framework (Dynamics, Sharepoint etc.) - move skype into a less centralised model perhaps
If they were clever they could make it more open... that would shake things up a lot :)
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If they were clever they could make it more open... that would shake things up a lot :)
-iphigenie
How do you see that playing out? I'm curious.
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I can't believe the number of articles I read that relate to this subject that don't mention Live Messenger. To me they are 99% overlapping. I see it as MS taking on something to reshape to its existing product, improve, integrate, etc..
(In my opinion MSE is probably one of the best things out of MS, that may not say much but it really is good)
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I'm guessing it's going to provide the missing piece for the new Microsoft cloud initiatives (Office 360, etc.) by allowing end-users and SMBs to make voice and videophone calls without the need to set up a server specifically for it.
Microsoft is well on its way to being able to provide a total and seamless computing environment that runs from the desktop to the Internet by way of the cloud with all stops covered in between.
Microsoft! :tellme:
Is it your one-stop shop for a: Desktop OS? Phone system? ISP? Web host? Telco? Office suite? Server farm? Security management system? Collaboration suite? Videoconferencing center? Instant messenger? Social web? E-mail system? MMORPG? Cloud host?
Could be...and probably will be if they continue in the direction they're going.
Hey Mr. Jobs! How's thinking different working out for ya now that Microsoft's given up on that in order to think BIG? ;D
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Hey Mr. Jobs! How's thinking different working out for ya now that Microsoft's given up on that in order to think BIG? ;D-40hz
HaHaHa! Hehehe :Thmbsup: :Thmbsup: :Thmbsup:
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Better Microsoft than Apple.
Apple excludes people from making money.
Microsoft has a long history of bringing people along to make money.
Big difference.
I'd rather live in a Microsoft world than an Apple world.
Apple = vampire.
Microsoft = gardener.
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From what I've read in the papers, Microsoft wanted a company or brand name that was being used as a verb (Google envy much?), so I think Skype as a brand and stand-alone service is going to stay, though certainly it will change.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0/2015023127_whatthemicrosoftskypedealmeansforskypeusers.html
In a giant deal to buy Internet phone company Skype, Microsoft finally got what it has long sought: a consumer brand so powerful that it's a verb.
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"The Skype brand has become a verb, nearly synonymous with video and voice communications," Ballmer said Tuesday at a news conference in San Francisco.
As far as cross-compatibility, Microsoft has publicly proclaimed that they will continue to provide service for other platforms:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/05/11/microsoft.ceo.vows.support.for.non.windows.skype
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer in the media conference following the buyout of Skype repeatedly stressed that the VoIP app would still get support beyond Windows. Having mentioned support in the initial news, he added that it was "fundamental to the proposition of communications" that other platforms like Linux, the Mac, and non-Windows Phone mobile hardware got support.
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"I said it, and I mean it," Ballmer said, referring to his pledge of support.
Time will tell, Mr. B, time will tell...
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Better Microsoft than Apple.
Apple excludes people from making money.
Microsoft has a long history of bringing people along to make money.
Big difference.
I'd rather live in a Microsoft world than an Apple world.
Apple = vampire.
Microsoft = gardener.
-Renegade
+1 (Like)
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See also this thread: Farewell Skype ... (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26706.0)
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This could be a lot worse than any of us previously imagined...
(see attachment in previous post (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26706.msg248675#msg248675))
-Deozaan
Heheheh. Life imitating Art yet again. And all ready for 2012 - Armageddon is on the horizon. :)
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I swear I read Microsoft burying skype for US $8.5 Billion
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Is there any chance of merging the two overlapping Microsoft/Skype threads?
Looks like Josh and Carol both started one. :)
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This was a duplicate.
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Mine was first! Carol just ignored it and didn't "Search first". I say we punish her with 20 lashes.
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But mines better ;)
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Size doesn't matter! Or so I am told.
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Now we can share a big one (so to speak) as I just merged the threads ...
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Now I need a cigarette.
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^Good grief! First whips ,now he's smoking! ;D
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Shocking isn't it! Well I was ... I'm a sensitive flower :-*
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Best laugh I've had all week from reading this back-and-forth! ;D
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Zaine, it was frightening, I was forced to be the "little spoon" :-/
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Best laugh I've had all week from reading this back-and-forth! ;D
-zridling
+1
The two of you need to start your own DoCo member page. Call it something like [He|She]Said and just toss ideas and comments back & forth. :Thmbsup:
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It would have to be NSFW
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OK you two, get a room, willya!
... And Zaine, shut off that camera!
Seriously, from everything I read, there's no reason to drop Skype yet, because it has to go through regulators first, which will take about a year.
I would be more worried about what would happen to the company if, for some far-fetched reason, the deal doesn't go through.
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I wonder though, why did they buy it for $8.5 billion when they could have just downloaded it for free?
(ba-dump *pish*) (http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true)
;D ;D ;D
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Ha ha ! :Thmbsup: ;D
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Bill Gates on a couple things, including the Skype deal, which he was in favor of:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/9488919.stm
I'm not convinced. He didn't say much of anything. :(
I like the guy, but man... that was a lame talk. He wasn't inspiring any confidence.
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Well of course he's in favor of something that's going to actually make him and his company more money, which is ultimately what they hope to do with Skype, but I'm sure he's on the hot seat with everybody else as to how they're going to actually make that happen without destroying the expensive toy they just bought.
Still no solid stance on what they're going to do with the Linux version (you KNOW they'll keep developing for Mac...).
Common sentiment is that many Linux folk are planning a mass exodus, but so far the destinations are scattershot (typical of such as often fragmented community... *sigh*), with all alternatives being on average poorer than Skype's offerings.
Solutions featuring the SIPw protocol are being talked about quite a bit, but from what I hear it's actually not the greatest for video transmission, so what next?
If I could wave a magic wand and influence the right people, I'd make sure Microsoft opens the API enough to allow third party applications to hook into the network, as long as you are a registered user, of course.
Then, third party developers who are already developing VoIP and Video Chat clients (Ekiga, Qutecom, Linphone, etc...) could support the Skype protocol and relieve MS of the burden of developing a client.
Naturally, MS would probably steer users to signing up for a Live account or some such for access to it, which some may balk at, but hey "Ya pay's yer money, an' ya takes yer cherce".
Or, alternately, support for connecting to SIP networks with Skype would be nice.
My 2 cents and a daydream or two...
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Common sentiment is that many Linux folk are planning a mass exodus, but so far the destinations are scattershot (typical of such as often fragmented community... *sigh*), with all alternatives being on average poorer than Skype's offerings.
-Edvard
Sigh... And while they're at it, why don't they go crucify that "traitor" de Icaza...
If I could wave a magic wand and influence the right people, I'd make sure Microsoft opens the API enough to allow third party applications to hook into the network, as long as you are a registered user, of course.
Then, third party developers who are already developing VoIP and Video Chat clients (Ekiga, Qutecom, Linphone, etc...) could support the Skype protocol and relieve MS of the burden of developing a client.
Naturally, MS would probably steer users to signing up for a Live account or some such for access to it, which some may balk at, but hey "Ya pay's yer money, an' ya takes yer cherce".
-Edvard
I can totally see that happening. Maybe not immediately, but down the road, sure. However, it would be "platformized", just like other MS platforms.
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Here's the skype infographic (http://www.geekosystem.com/skype-history-infographic/)
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And here's the Microsoft acquisition diagram:
http://ripetungi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/full-size-mircosoft-companies.jpg
(too big!)
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Nice chart finds, Zane!
The second one there... Jeez... They've got their fingers in everything!
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Notice the infamous "Santa Cruz Operation" in the bottom right. That's the vampire called SCO. The rest read like a commercial and venture capital history of tech. Many are long gone now; others long forgotten.
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And here's the Microsoft acquisition diagram:
http://ripetungi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/full-size-mircosoft-companies.jpg
(too big!)
-zridling
As easy to understand as a London Tube Map!
http://www.afn.org/~alplatt/tubemap.gif (http://www.afn.org/~alplatt/tubemap.gif)
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As easy to understand as a London Tube Map!-Beth UK
Holy smokes!
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As easy to understand as a London Tube Map!-Beth UK
Holy smokes!
-zridling
They look strikingly similar~! :)
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From the website:
http://ripetungi.com/microsoft-acquisitions-and-investments/
Infographic showing the acquisitions and investments of Microsoft, done as a tube map with each coloured line representing a different industry for each acquisition or investment. Where the stations meet is where the two industries overlap. The key at the bottom displays information about the location on the map of the station (company) the year of acquisition or investment.
:Thmbsup:
I could also wish for a distinction between investments and acquisitions.
I saw Facebook on there and had to re-read. :o
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may be they will get rid of that annoying plugin that turns all numbers on the pages into skype numbers!
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Dunno if someone else has already posted this, but
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/days-after-being-bought-by-microsoft-skype-starts-installing-crapware-on-windows-systems-without-consent/13015
Please read the comments though, cause despite the headline I doubt it has anything to do with MS.
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Dunno if someone else has already posted this, but
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/days-after-being-bought-by-microsoft-skype-starts-installing-crapware-on-windows-systems-without-consent/13015
Please read the comments though, cause despite the headline I doubt it has anything to do with MS.
-Jibz
Interesting read.
While I don't think it has anything to do with MS, I think it will... Once things are full steam ahead and MS starts firing people for that... ;) ;D