Skype posted a useful slideshow today that explains the transition from Windows Live Messenger to Skype. Taken in context with recent improvements to the Skype desktop client that appear to fix the issues I experienced previously, it’s possible that this transition will be smoother than expected.
I’ve written a lot about this transition already, mostly negatively because my own experiences doing so in recent months have proven disastrous. But a few sources report that recent Skype builds fix the issues I had, and in using the latest build for the past few days with both the Messenger and Skype networks, all is well so far. (Knock on wood.)
Today, Skype posted an interesting and useful slideshow that describes the transition:
Additionally, Skype’s Shana Pearlman notes the following benefits for Messenger users transitioning to Skype in a post to Skype’s Big Blog:
- Skype allows you to send IMs just like Messenger and you also get free voice and video calls!
- Your Messenger contacts will automatically be added to Skype.
- Setting up new lists to group your contacts together is quick and easy.
- You can ‘favorite’ your friends and bump them to the top of your contacts list.
- Our Animated Emoticons are fun, and there are tons to choose from!
- Sharing is seamless – drop a file or photo, right into your chat.
- All of your chats will be stored on your homepage under ‘Recent’ for safe keeping.
Obviously, Microsoft’s decision to combine the Messenger and Skype networks and use the superior Skype brand makes plenty of sense. Indeed, we often criticize Microsoft for having too many similar and nearly identical products and services, so this consolidation should ultimately be beneficial to everyone who uses either network. (Indeed, future federation with Microsoft’s corporate-oriented Lync technologies is further exciting.)
Cross your fingers, folks. We’re going in.
