riams

"They're going to use whichever video chat comes built into their SmartPhone, tablet, computer, etc. They're going to use FaceBook's eventual video chat service or something Google offers."

Really? I'm thinking the barriers to switch from Skype are pretty high due to the vast amount of users Skype has. Why switch to a slightly more polished product when you have no one to communicate with there?

We have to remember that the Hacker News crowd probably represents early adopters. Most people will not be as quick to try/switch to new services.

That is, if they keep Skype as it is. There are, however, more than just financial reasons for this acquisition. 2 reasons off the top of my head:

1. Microsoft will gain from Skype's synergy with their existing portfolio. Think Skype + Live Messenger or Skype + Windows Phone 7.

2. Block competitors from purchasing. Microsoft, Google and Apple (to some extent even Facebook) have businesses that are increasingly overlapping. Skype in the hands of a competitor becomes an alternative cost for Microsoft.

I've fully abandoned Google Reader for Twitter.

Are you sure? AFAIK, they don't have to to send a C&D before suing.

Touché :)

Thanks for the advice!

Yes, but not a limited liability company. I personally have 100% liability for the company.

I asked this on Quora a while back: http://www.quora.com/How-does-Chachaba-create-their-3D-virtu...