RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013.

**Bluearrowll** · 11-7-2012, 07:02 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20222998

From a business perspective, I could understand that this was coming. But as both a heavy MSN and a heavy skype user, I am disappointed.

Discuss, and how will you be affected, if at all?

Quote:

Microsoft ditches Windows Live Messenger for Skype

Windows Live Messenger replicated much of the functionality of the firm's Skype division

Microsoft has announced it intends to "retire" its instant message chat tool and replace it with Skype's messaging tool.

The news comes 18 months after the software giant announced it was paying $8.5bn (£5.3bn) for the communications software developer.

Microsoft said Windows Live Messenger (WLM) would be turned off by March 2013 worldwide, with the exception of China.

It reflects the firm's determination to focus its efforts on Skype.

WLM launched in 1999 when it was known as MSN Messenger. Over time, photo delivery, video calls and games were added to the package's text-based messages.

In 2009, the firm said it had 330 million active users.

Chat 'cannibalisation'
According to internet analysis firm Comscore, WLM still had more than double the number of Skype's instant messenger facility at the start of this year and was second only in popularity to Yahoo Messenger.

But the report suggested WLM's US audience had fallen to 8.3 million unique users, representing a 48% drop year-on-year. By contrast, the number of people using Skype to instant message each other grew over the period.

"When a company has competing products that can result in cannibalisation it's often better to focus on a single one," said Brian Blau from the consultancy Gartner.

"Skype's top-up services offer the chance to monetise its users and Microsoft is also looking towards opportunities in the living room.

Skype is offering a tool to migrate users WLM contacts to its service
"Messenger doesn't seem like an appropriate communications platform for TVs or the firm's Xbox console - but Skype does."

He also noted that the firm had opted to integrate Skype into its new Windows Phone 8 smartphone software, eclipsing the effort to integrate WLM into the message threads of the operating system' previous version.

To ease the changeover, Microsoft is offering a tool to migrate WLM messenger contacts over.

The risk is that the move encourages users to switch instead to rival platforms such as WhatsApp Messenger, AIM or Google Talk.

But Microsoft is at least partially protected by its tie-up with Facebook last year. Skype video calls are now offered as an extra to the social network's own instant messaging tool.

**Gundam-Dude** · 11-7-2012, 07:21 PM

I already completely abandoned MSN and moved onto Skype several months ago, so really all I have to say is that it took them long enough.

I used to be strictly a MSN user for years before I actually started using Skype and soon realizing how much more convenient it was. Over time, I started using it more frequently and it got to the point where essentially everyone I talked to was on Skype, where as MSN I'd have open for an entire day and wouldn't have gotten a single message.

For me personally, it was completely redundant for me to be using both programs at the same time, so I made the conscious decision to abandon the arguably outdated program. Times have changed and everyone seems to be migrating along with it.

**Ohaider** · 11-7-2012, 07:27 PM

Same here

Skype monopoly

**kommisar** · 11-7-2012, 07:30 PM

I always use skype now, but it was always 90% for online friends.

since 2001 I've used msn for all my irl friends as well as online. But really forms of communication have upgraded and changed over the years. I see myself using chat on facebook more often haha.

**AlexDest** · 11-7-2012, 07:38 PM

I use Skype mostly for contacting people now, used to use MSN and AIM a lot.

Oh well, maybe AIM might kick the bucket too.

i heart candy · 11-7-2012, 07:39 PM

MSN has too many security flaws.

**NoPrivacy** · 11-7-2012, 07:40 PM

Lol Msn.

Izzy · 11-7-2012, 07:46 PM

I really hate the skype client. If there was some way to make it less ugly and more useful as an isntant messenger than I would like it more.

Still going to use pidgin.

**dragon890x** · 11-7-2012, 07:50 PM

Growing up using MSN Messenger, it's kind of hard to hear it's finally being shut down. I've made so many important memories using that messenger.

RIP MSNM

**kommisar** · 11-7-2012, 07:56 PM

all the girls I've asked out on msn........................

**Patashu** · 11-7-2012, 07:58 PM

This might be annoying since I do a lot of my IMing over msn messenger, and now I'll have to track down everyone I want to keep talking to over it and add them on a different IM or skype

EzExZeRo7497 · 11-7-2012, 08:50 PM

Damn.

**igotrhythm** · 11-7-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patashu

This might be annoying since I do a lot of my IMing over msn messenger, and now I'll have to track down everyone I want to keep talking to over it and add them on a different IM or skype

I think the article does mention that they're working on a tool to mass-import MSN contacts to Skype to make that process less painful.

As for me, I only used MSN proper once, but this gives a whole new set of teeth to what I saw on ChaoticMarin's status this afternoon: "Apparently MSN is getting shut down in favor of Skype. ...Like, soon. Shit." Then it gives her Skype.

In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritu Sancti.
Requiescat in pace.

**j-rodd123** · 11-7-2012, 08:59 PM

J-rodd (L)'n ????????

**PrawnSkunk** · 11-7-2012, 09:23 PM

I only use Skype as an IM client anyways. I can't remember the last time I actually used it for video calling...

xMUSICxMASTERx · 11-7-2012, 10:09 PM

I will not be affected because I haven't used msn in almost 2 years now, and I don't plan on using it again. When I did use it I loved it though, I went on it every time I had a chance, and I can definitely think of a lot of memories from it. rip msn

**G.S.M** · 11-7-2012, 10:26 PM

I have used MSN messenger for quite awhile until a few years ago when my friends list of 140+ people disappeared for some odd reason. Good times since 2004-2008... could care less what happens to it now.

DotKritic · 11-7-2012, 11:29 PM

I haven't used anything instant messenger for years.

**Reincarnate** · 11-7-2012, 11:31 PM

stopped using MSN in the early 2000's
stopped using AIM during college

now it's either gchat or skype

I admit I do miss the old ICQ "uh-oh!"

Wayward Vagabond · 11-8-2012, 12:19 AM

I only used msn to keep in contact with a select few people. Up until I was told my account was a breach in security and wasn't allowed to sign back in again atleast

I've been an aim user through and through but since everyone is on skype now I only log on out of habit but don't actually use it

11-7-2012, 07:21 PM	#2
Gundam-Dude `~` Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,327	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I already completely abandoned MSN and moved onto Skype several months ago, so really all I have to say is that it took them long enough. I used to be strictly a MSN user for years before I actually started using Skype and soon realizing how much more convenient it was. Over time, I started using it more frequently and it got to the point where essentially everyone I talked to was on Skype, where as MSN I'd have open for an entire day and wouldn't have gotten a single message. For me personally, it was completely redundant for me to be using both programs at the same time, so I made the conscious decision to abandon the arguably outdated program. Times have changed and everyone seems to be migrating along with it. __________________ (Download My Magnum Opus, Solo Kpop Pack!) My Simfiles (4key & 6key)

11-7-2012, 07:27 PM	#3
Ohaider FFR Veteran Join Date: Jun 2012 Age: 28 Posts: 2,893	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. Same here Skype monopoly __________________

11-7-2012, 07:30 PM	#4
kommisar Dark Chancellor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Moncton, NB Age: 33 Posts: 7,301	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I always use skype now, but it was always 90% for online friends. since 2001 I've used msn for all my irl friends as well as online. But really forms of communication have upgraded and changed over the years. I see myself using chat on facebook more often haha. __________________

11-7-2012, 07:38 PM	#5
AlexDest good hot Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Age: 29 Posts: 5,309	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I use Skype mostly for contacting people now, used to use MSN and AIM a lot. Oh well, maybe AIM might kick the bucket too. __________________

11-7-2012, 07:40 PM	#7
NoPrivacy wut Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 290	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. Lol Msn. __________________ Shit.

11-7-2012, 07:46 PM	#8
Izzy Snek Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas Age: 34 Posts: 9,192	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I really hate the skype client. If there was some way to make it less ugly and more useful as an isntant messenger than I would like it more. Still going to use pidgin.

11-7-2012, 07:50 PM	#9
dragon890x ☆Ξ Phantasy Star Legend Ξ☆ Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 34 Posts: 565	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. Growing up using MSN Messenger, it's kind of hard to hear it's finally being shut down. I've made so many important memories using that messenger. RIP MSNM __________________ [ Link ]

11-7-2012, 07:56 PM	#10
kommisar Dark Chancellor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Moncton, NB Age: 33 Posts: 7,301	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. all the girls I've asked out on msn........................ __________________

11-7-2012, 07:58 PM	#11
Patashu FFR Simfile Author Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: we traced the call...it's coming from inside the house Age: 33 Posts: 8,609	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. This might be annoying since I do a lot of my IMing over msn messenger, and now I'll have to track down everyone I want to keep talking to over it and add them on a different IM or skype __________________ Patashu makes Chiptunes in Famitracker: http://soundcloud.com/patashu/8bit-progressive-metal-fading-world http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Mechadragon/smallpackbanner.png Best non-AAAs: ERx8 v2 (14-1-0-4), Hajnal (3-0-0-0), RunnyMorning (8-0-0-4), Xeno-Flow (1-0-0-3), Blue Rose (35-2-0-20), Ketsarku (14-0-0-0), Silence (1-0-0-0), Lolo (14-1-0-1) http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/xiaoven/solorulzsig.png

11-7-2012, 08:50 PM	#12
EzExZeRo7497 ⠀ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Singapore, SG Age: 26 Posts: 6,858	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. Damn.

11-7-2012, 08:59 PM	#14
j-rodd123 End of the road Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canada Age: 31 Posts: 3,692	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. J-rodd (L)'n ????????

11-7-2012, 09:23 PM	#15
PrawnSkunk Administrator User Administrator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Age: 29 Posts: 3,902	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I only use Skype as an IM client anyways. I can't remember the last time I actually used it for video calling...

11-7-2012, 10:09 PM	#16
xMUSICxMASTERx FFR Player Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Age: 29 Posts: 269	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I will not be affected because I haven't used msn in almost 2 years now, and I don't plan on using it again. When I did use it I loved it though, I went on it every time I had a chance, and I can definitely think of a lot of memories from it. rip msn

11-7-2012, 10:26 PM	#17
G.S.M He is watching Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: California Age: 35 Posts: 1,056	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I have used MSN messenger for quite awhile until a few years ago when my friends list of 140+ people disappeared for some odd reason. Good times since 2004-2008... could care less what happens to it now. __________________ "Someone once said, 'Don't try to be a great man, just be a man, and let history make its own judgments'."

11-7-2012, 11:29 PM	#18
DotKritic Forum User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston Age: 19 Posts: 2,964	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I haven't used anything instant messenger for years. __________________ FFR Member Since December 17th, 2004

11-7-2012, 11:31 PM	#19
Reincarnate x'); DROP TABLE FFR;-- Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 6,332	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. stopped using MSN in the early 2000's stopped using AIM during college now it's either gchat or skype I admit I do miss the old ICQ "uh-oh!"

11-8-2012, 12:19 AM	#20
Wayward Vagabond Confirmed Heartbreaker Join Date: Jul 2012 Age: 35 Posts: 5,858	Re: RIP MSN, 1999 - March 2013. I only used msn to keep in contact with a select few people. Up until I was told my account was a breach in security and wasn't allowed to sign back in again atleast I've been an aim user through and through but since everyone is on skype now I only log on out of habit but don't actually use it

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