http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2074186/skype-suffers-disastrous-crash-users-question-microsoft-buyout

Skype suffers a disastrous crash, users question Microsoft buyout.
One user tweeted, "#Microsoft buys Skype & there we go #Skype is down globally," another said "Never had a #Skype #crash or #bug before #Microsoft came in", and a third suggested "now we have a new feature added by #Microsoft to #Skype the feature is called #crash."

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/microsoft-skype-breaks-open-source-partnership/1111?tag=nl.e539

Microsoft Skype breaks open-source partnership

Skype for Asterisk will not be available for sale or activation after July 26, 2011.

may be Windows Only in a Year or 2

http://www.pcmech.com/article/microsoft-skype/

Will Microsoft Screw Up Skype?

So, I like Skype. But, lately, I’m becoming concerned.
First, it was their client “upgrade”. As I sit here, I am running Skype 2.8 on my Mac. The newest is version 5.1. I tried the new version and it…. well, sucks.
You should see people complaining about it (like this thread in the Skype forums).

http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=762503

Post Here if You think Skype 5.0 SUCKS!
5.0 is a HUGE step backwards!
And now, they sold to Microsoft.
But, now, Steve Ballmer is already talking about the huge revenue potential of video ads in the video chat service. Yay. So, we know we have that to look forward to.

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2069573/microsoft-agrees-usd85bn-deal-voip-giant-skype

Microsoft has confirmed that it will buy Skype in an $8.5bn deal which will see the VoIP firm's technology supporting Microsoft devices like Xbox and Windows Phone and integrating with services including Lync, Outlook and Xbox Live.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/10/ballmer-bates-skype/

Ballmer And Bates Sell The Skype Deal: We Think We “Can Reach Everyone On The Planet”
video chat is now 40% of Skype use

http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/10/skype-andreessen/

Microsoft’s bid had to be high enough to convince the company and its investors they were better off taking the Microsoft offer now. From what I can gather, there were nibbles by other suitors such as Google, but no other serious offers.
It was only 18 months ago that eBay sold Skype to the investor syndicate in a deal valuing Skype at $2.75 billion. Now Microsoft is buying the company for three times that much—an increase in value of $5.75 billion!
The real challenge will be to make sure that Skype doesn’t lose its identity as a standalone product. $$$kype
Can’t wait till Skype is renamed to Windows Live Online Video Service Chat by Microsoft.

http://eu.techcrunch.com/2011/05/10/why-microsofts-skype-purchase-means-a-face-off-with-apples-facetime/

http://eu.techcrunch.com/2011/05/10/did-microsoft-overpay-for-skype-hell-yes-%E2%80%94-by-4-5-billion/

Google came in second at a price of $4B, while Microsoft will be paying $8.5B. This suggests that Redmond is paying significantly over the odds for Skype.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/a-game-of-clue-what-killed-skype/486

You need to keep in mind that Skype is a true peer-to-peer (P2P) network application. Indeed, if you trace back Skype’s ancestry you’ll find that its developers first cut their teeth on the Kazaa P2P file-sharing program. What’s important about that is that Skype, unlike client-server programs, relies on its client PCs to help carry voice communications.
If you’re a Skype user your PC may not just be an ordinary client, but it may be working as a Super Node (SN) as well. When you login to Skype, the odds are you’re not logging directly into the Skype login-servers but into a SN instead. The SN in turn, stores your Skype name, your e-mail address, and an encrypted version of your password.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/how-skype-does-and-doesn-8217t-work/1051?tag=nl.e539

How Skype does, and doesn’t, work.

Skype, the voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and video program, is very popular. It’s also pretty bad software. Really, what were you thinking Ballmer when you wrote a check for $8.5-billion for Skype? You do know that not even two years ago Skype was valued at $2.75-billion right?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13343600

Microsoft confirms takeover of Skype

Steve Ballmer & Tony Bates promise "new capabilities and new features" for Skype
Microsoft has confirmed that it has agreed to buy internet phone service Skype.
The deal will see Microsoft pay $8.5bn (£5.2bn) for Skype, making it Microsoft's largest acquisition.
'Defensive move'
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said: "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world.
And Skype is multi-platform, reaching into the worlds of Apple and Linux.
Finally, Skype is mobile, and can be paired with Windows Phone 7.
The hitch: Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer will have to work hard to integrate Skype, to ensure the voice/video-over-the-internet company is not strangled by his firm's notorious bureaucracy.

Your Admiral Seeds overfloweth, Mango Princess.

Hi Dear Runny :*) Thank You :D

I vaguely remember having read & put a note for this TinyURL thingy in my BM some time ago ...

My brain is a bit off (maybe a lot...) today, after another 2day stint w no shut eye.
Woke a few hours ago, still don't remember my name :(

So, I think my favourite Magician is going to have to hold my hand and 'sssplain this again some time later, cause I'm not understanding... Sorry.
Or maybe I'll re-read it 2morrow and get it all in 1 go! Let's wait & see *~*

Still, *why* doesn't it wrap?

Amicalement, Mosquitoette :D
I think Ambassador is really going to kill me ...
I keep adding to my répertoire all these wonderful *Titles* u find for me! I luv it!!

Hi, Mangoette, may I suggest you consider using TINY URL for all your URL-abbreviating needs? It's served me well for years.

TIP - At first, I created a TINYURLnotepad to store all the addresses with shortcuts, but found it even easier to just add the tiny shortcut itself to a shortcut's name field. E.G., in my directory, if the tinyurl link to a favorite fractal site with a long address was tinyurl/s2dij, then I would append the cryptic alphanumeric to the name field in my directory:

FractalsRUS s2dij

so I'd always know that I created a tinyurl for it.

M$ going after GG
Launches "Live Search News" in Rome

http://www.cnet.com/8301-13515_1-9919801-26.html?tag=rsspr.6237499%E2%88%82=rss&subj=news

HaaaHaaa ... "Someone" is *not* very happy! Already putting out statements it's not that important...

Le groupe internet Yahoo! envisage de prolonger le partenariat avec son concurrent Google et de lui sous-traiter le placement de la publicité dans les pages de son moteur de recherche, après un premier test jugé concluant, rapporte jeudi le Wall Street Journal.
W.Street reports Thursday that after the initial test was judged positive, Yahoo intends to prolong the experiment!

Selon des sources proches du dossier, citées par le quotidien, le prolongement éventuel du partenariat ne serait pas suffisant pour dissuader Microsoft d'acquérir Yahoo!, le groupe internet pouvant se désengager en cas de rachat par l'éditeur de logiciels.
Close sources say this wont dissuade M$ to pursue Yahoo, since this deal will be rescinded after the acquisition.

Sorry this a loose translation only. Didn't have time to find an English source.
http://technaute.cyberpresse.ca/200804/17/nouvelles/internet/17933-yahoo-envisage-de-prolonger-son-partenariat-avec-google.php

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
Help: What can I do so the link does go that far off? Why doesn't it wrap?
I know I can hide it, like below, but was looking for another solution.
Read it in Technaute

Very interesting AxCut. Thanks for sharing.

Here's is Microsoft trying to beat Google News. Here is M$ trying to beat Adobe . Rumors of considering its own retail stores.

I also read that M$ is going to start making hardware to make Wi-Fi networks easy for the average home, including routers, adapters and all configured with WEP but I can't find the link either anymore

AxCut

I posted this in a different thread but it really belongs here. Here is an update to the post by LeKanaw. I ran a cross this article at http://dotnetwizard.net/. Check it out.

"Last summer there was speculation that a bold step for Yahoo to take to revive its sagging prospects would be to ditch its own ad system and outsource it to Google. Despite Yahoo trying to catch up for many years, Google’s ad system just works much, much better.

It would save Yahoo a ton of money and probably create better returns — even if it would help fuel Google too. However, Yahoo pretty much laughed off the suggestion… until now. Being aggressively pursued by Microsoft can have that effect — especially as white knight rescuers seem few and far between (i.e., they don’t seem to exist at all).

So, with that, the news is breaking that Yahoo is finally going to test running Google’s ads. It’s a “small scale” test, only running for a couple weeks and only on a small percentage (less than 3%) of Yahoo’s inventory. But, assuming it goes well, it’ll likely lead to a much bigger shift.
Of course, Microsoft was quick to denounce the deal, claiming that the Justice Department would have a field day over the antitrust issues raised, but so far Microsoft doesn’t have such a great track record in getting the DOJ to act on its antitrust complaints."

Thanks LeKanaw,

I though I would start a new thread because although it is similar to my earlier thread it is still different. I had not seen your post. Other wise I would have posted there.

Hi Jaddis
There is already a thread on this subject you started ;)

I posted about this 2 week experiment a few days ago.
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3076?replies=7#post-25880
Thank you for the update.
Lets hope whatever happens, MS doesn't get their hands on Yahoo :(
Peace, M

Hey just ran a cross this article at http://dotnetwizard.net/. Check it out.

"Last summer there was speculation that a bold step for Yahoo to take to revive its sagging prospects would be to ditch its own ad system and outsource it to Google. Despite Yahoo trying to catch up for many years, Google’s ad system just works much, much better.

It would save Yahoo a ton of money and probably create better returns — even if it would help fuel Google too. However, Yahoo pretty much laughed off the suggestion… until now. Being aggressively pursued by Microsoft can have that effect — especially as white knight rescuers seem few and far between (i.e., they don’t seem to exist at all).

So, with that, the news is breaking that Yahoo is finally going to test running Google’s ads. It’s a “small scale” test, only running for a couple weeks and only on a small percentage (less than 3%) of Yahoo’s inventory. But, assuming it goes well, it’ll likely lead to a much bigger shift.
Of course, Microsoft was quick to denounce the deal, claiming that the Justice Department would have a field day over the antitrust issues raised, but so far Microsoft doesn’t have such a great track record in getting the DOJ to act on its antitrust complaints."

Well i surely hope that MS doesn't get to buy out yahoo. That will totally stink as i have att as my isp and don't care to have my yahoo portion of it messed with i have had nothing but difficulty with MS here lately with updates and don't care to have them as my isp either. Can only hope they can go with someone else to make a better change then with MS and anyhow wouldn't that be monopolizing as MS has enough of the internet world.

More news
Yesterday I heard Yahoo & GG are doing a 2 week experiment thing, sharing add revenue.
Sorry, only heard part of it, haven't had time to digg around for details.

But it does confirm Yahoo is doing all possible to stir away from MS.
But most analysts say the probability is slim of MS not winning :(

Hope for better news next week
Manu

Well, what do u know ...
This morning I heard talks are on btwn AOL too!!!

Maybe Yahoo is just showing MS others are also interested, so it ups it's offer.
I'm w u Jinkazama, if MS focused more on the OS, security and *uncomplicating* it's use, it would be much better indeed!!

But the priority seems to be to beat GG at any cost!!
They really really really want those add revenues...
Let's stay tuned, I'm sure there are more twists to come :)
Manu

Yahoo with google... Hmmm, much preferred than with MS. why does MS need Yahoo mail when they've got their Live Mail/ hotmail already? Why do they need a Yahoo webpage when they've got MSN webpage? And since Yahoo email users can chat with hotmail users, why still buy Yahoo? I prefer MS to focus on making their OS less buggy and less taxing on computers

Bonjour,
I heard this morning Yahoo was in some kind of behind the scene "talks" w Google too...
My thinking is the board probably would prefer to be linked to *or* with GG than MS.
Don't know the reasoning behind it though.

I suppose in the end the stockholders will just go w the side that'll give more money. MS offer of $31./per share being enough over current trading to entice many.
But this ultimatum is uncalled for, but MS being the usual bully -win at any price philosophy- we shouldn't be surprised!

Many had hoped the come back of Jerry Yang at the helm would produce miracles...
I really don't know much about their products, never used any.
Manu

HI,

Thanks for sharing Jaddis. Very interesting news to me. I do agree with one of the reviews that Yahoo is kind of 'didn't care' for free users and not much improvement after so many yrs. But Microsoft is kind of 'disappointing' too. Look at their latest vista softwares? Without 'assuring' sold it out and cos alots of user 'suffer' (I heard too much 'complaints' from vista user). And what rights Microsoft have to 'force' Yahoo to sell if they are not willing? "He" should know better cos he work so hard to build up his Microsoft empire slowly too. How will he feel if others want to 'buy' his co. over. :( I do hope to hear more of it from other members here if possible. Have a great day everyone :).

As some of you know, Microsoft has been trying to buyout Yahoo! over the last several months. So far with out success. Here is a link to an article about Microsoft's newest approach. Seems Microsoft is getting tired of Yahoo! playing games.

http://dotnetwizard.net/?p=1028#more-1028