Author Topic: Microsoft buying skype for US $8.5 Billion (Read 28951 times)

Renegade · « **Reply #25 on:** May 11, 2011, 02:21 AM »

This could be a lot worse than any of us previously imagined...
(see attachment in previous post)
-Deozaan (May 11, 2011, 02:15 AM)

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~!

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #26 on:** May 11, 2011, 03:31 AM »

Take Windows Defender as an example - they bought up another anti-spyware product and made a complete hash of it.
-Carol Haynes (May 10, 2011, 05:16 PM)

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 (May 10, 2011, 07:55 PM)

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.

Edvard · « **Reply #27 on:** May 11, 2011, 06:45 AM »

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".

iphigenie · « **Reply #28 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:19 AM »

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

Renegade · « **Reply #29 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:30 AM »

If they were clever they could make it more open... that would shake things up a lot
-iphigenie (May 11, 2011, 09:19 AM)

How do you see that playing out? I'm curious.

rgdot · « **Reply #30 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:49 AM »

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)

40hz · « **Reply #31 on:** May 11, 2011, 02:44 PM »

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!

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?

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #32 on:** May 11, 2011, 03:10 PM »

Hey Mr. Jobs! How's thinking different working out for ya now that Microsoft's given up on that in order to think BIG?
-40hz (May 11, 2011, 02:44 PM)

HaHaHa! Hehehe

Renegade · « **Reply #33 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:20 PM »

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.

Edvard · « **Reply #34 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:57 PM »

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....nsforskypeusers.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.
...
"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.electroni...or.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.
...
"I said it, and I mean it," Ballmer said, referring to his pledge of support.

Time will tell, Mr. B, time will tell...

mahesh2k · « **Reply #35 on:** May 12, 2011, 02:42 PM »

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 (May 11, 2011, 11:20 PM)

+1 (Like)

jgpaiva · « **Reply #36 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:24 AM »

See also this thread: Farewell Skype ...

nudone · « **Reply #37 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:04 AM »

This could be a lot worse than any of us previously imagined...
(see attachment in previous post)
-Deozaan (May 11, 2011, 02:15 AM)

Heheheh. Life imitating Art yet again. And all ready for 2012 - Armageddon is on the horizon.

paulobrabo · « **Reply #38 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:45 AM »

I swear I read Microsoft burying skype for US $8.5 Billion

40hz · « **Reply #39 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:00 AM »

Is there any chance of merging the two overlapping Microsoft/Skype threads?

Looks like Josh and Carol both started one.

40hz · « **Reply #40 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:01 AM »

This was a duplicate.

Josh · « **Reply #41 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:14 AM »

Mine was first! Carol just ignored it and didn't "Search first". I say we punish her with 20 lashes.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #42 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:19 AM »

But mines better

Josh · « **Reply #43 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:19 AM »

Size doesn't matter! Or so I am told.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #44 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:21 AM »

Now we can share a big one (so to speak) as I just merged the threads ...

Josh · « **Reply #45 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:21 AM »

Now I need a cigarette.

40hz · « **Reply #46 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:01 PM »

^Good grief! First whips ,now he's smoking!

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #47 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:12 PM »

Shocking isn't it! Well I was ... I'm a sensitive flower

zridling · « **Reply #48 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:56 PM »

Best laugh I've had all week from reading this back-and-forth!

Josh · « **Reply #49 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:57 PM »

Zaine, it was frightening, I was forced to be the "little spoon" :-/