Topic: Microsoft buying skype for US $8.5 Billion (Read 42,287 times)
Best laugh I've had all week from reading this back-and-forth!
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.
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".
And here's the Microsoft acquisition diagram:
http://ripetungi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/full-size-mircosoft-companies.jpg
(too big!)
As easy to understand as a London Tube Map!
As easy to understand as a London Tube Map!
Holy smokes!
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.
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.
Original address: https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26703.0
