Quote from: Carol Haynes on May 10, 2011, 10:16 PM

Take Windows Defender as an example - they bought up another anti-spyware product and made a complete hash of it.

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.

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.

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

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)

Hey Mr. Jobs! How's thinking different working out for ya now that Microsoft's given up on that in order to think BIG? 

HaHaHa! Hehehe

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

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

See also this thread: Farewell Skype ...

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

This was a duplicate.

But mines better

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

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

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