I think Microsoft got a good deal when they bought skype.

Looking at Skype (despite it's flaws) it's success was unavoidable. The same way people want an all-in-one device that does everything (like smart phones) over multiple separate solutions (camera, mp3 player, phone, pda), people seem to want one IM client for calling, texting, IMing, voice chat & video chatting. I don't think any other client provides everything wrapped up so well. Yes the UI is horrendous and tedious but its services are well offered and cheap. And with ever increasing globalization those services are vital.

It's just too bad that Microsoft introduced a back door to spy on skype calls. I now trust it about as much as I trust Google Voice + Google Talk.