Previously published in Examiner on Jan 9, 2013
There is bad news for Windows Messenger Live lovers. Today CBSNEWS reported that Microsoft is going to shutdown Windows Messenger Live on March 15. Microsoft has commenced notifying its Windows Messenger Live clients that their service will end in a couple of months. Microsoft is suggesting that these users change to Skype. If they do they will be able to login in using Microsoft account credentials. A program has been created to automatically transfer contacts from Windows Messenger Live to Skype.
I may be one of the few people who do not use any messenger service. I find that those interrupting messages which really have nothing to say annoying. I write constantly and I don’t like the interruptions.
According to CBSNEWS, only mainland China will be able to use Messenger Live after March 15. Microsoft made the announcement about the switchover to Skype last November. There will be some advantages for switching to Skype. Skype users will be able to make Internet calls and be fully integrated with Facebook.
Many people asked me to get Skype but I have never found the need to do so.
“Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The acquisition was the biggest yet for the software giant. At the time, Microsoft said it would integrate Skype with the Xbox game console, Outlook email software and Windows smartphones. Skype has also since partnered with Facebook to provide video chat across both platforms and offers the social network’s news feed in its chat software. Microsoft is also an investor in Facebook. Microsoft launched Outlook.com, an email client to rival Google Mail. Users of the email service will soon be able to initiate Skype calls from their inboxes.”
My son does not use Messenger Live either but he may use Skype sometime in the future because of his Xbox use. He is not sure yet if he wants Skype. I did however, at one point consider MagicJack.
MagicJack, Vonage and Skype’s current level of functioning
MagicJack
SPOTCOOLSTUFF tech maintains that at the moment MagicJack works with Windows and the Mac OS. However, the computer must be on in order for MagicJack to work.
Though the computer is rarely off, I don’t like the idea of not being able to get a phone call when it is off.
Vonage
Vonage is different from MagicJack. Consumers plug their phone into, “the Vonage phone adapter and the Vonage adapter into your high speed modem.” Consumers can then use their Vonage phone just like a regular home phone.
Vonage is too expensive for my budget.
Skype
Consumers can use the basic program with Skype and call any other Skype user for free. However, the Skype user must be online. Customers who want to contact anyone who is using a landline or cell can do so for a fee. Customers will need a Skype phone to do that.
Only Vonage allows the use of the customer’s current phone; MagicJack and Skype require customers to use their phone.
What will happen to Magic Jack and Vonage if Skype were to dominate the Internet calling modality? Will Magic Jack and Vonage users want to switch over to Skype after using and paying for their systems? The verdict is not in. We will have to wait and see. All I can say is that I am not going to get Skype anytime soon.
