R.I.P. Windows Live Messenger

[bill]

It's not gone yet, but the writing is apparently on the wall.

Microsoft to retire Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype

Microsoft is working towards retiring its Windows Live Messenger client in favor of Skype. The Verge has learned through several sources that Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger service will be retired in the coming months and integrated into Skype.

[Torben]

Do you guys think that they will change the UI design of Skype to a more MS look and feel. To much MS would probably alienate many Skype users.

[IrishWonder]

And the important question: how will Skype end up looking on Macs? It's always been a bit different for us Mac users... MS design on a Mac is definitely the last thing I am looking forward to. However, is there really much alternative to Skype out there? They are kinda at the point where no matter what they do people cannot just quit using them and switch to something else...

[hungrygoose]

They've been allowing it to die for years it seems.  Only times I use it now are when logging in to hotmail and I get spammed by hot chicks.

[grnidone]

My biggest concern is MS will try to put a whole lot of wiz bang "features" into skype making it a resource hog that doesn't work worth a crap.