MSN Messenger Forcing us to merge with Skype?

[Renee]

I just received an email telling me that MSN Messenger will be getting decommissioned and they are forcing us to merge with skype.

Well, that would normally be awesome except skype doesn't allow offline messaging. Their version of offline messaging is both parties must be online for it to go through.

I must say, this is a huge inconvenience.. being in Oz sometimes you need to leave messages for people, especially when email is not getting through.

It is also a huge giveaway if you're appearing invisible. Thanks for f****** us in the a** Microsoft!

USDHGLSUDGHSUDGHLSDHGKSDHG

Yes, that's how I feel about this.

Thoughts?

[universal4]

Well more will be moving to Yahoo.

I actually been using Trillian a lot more lately since it allows you to monitor and appear offline or online on Yahoo, Aim, MSN, Skype.

It doesn't do voice well so if someone want to voice on Yahoo or skype, I load up their messenger and can do voice.

I had wondered if they would consider this move since msn messenger has been losing market share a long time.

Rick
Universal4

[Crazyrewards-Morten]

I actually downloaded the new Skype a few weeks ago and combined my Skype/MSN account and it seemed to work fine.

It is also nice to have the contacts in one place instead of two

But since yesterday I haven't been able to sign in using my Microsoft account, which is kind of annoying, since that leaves me without access to more than half the contacts

[MaRcRaM]

I echo Renee's sentiment about offline messaging, but what's really annoying the hell out of me about this merge is that all of my MSN contacts are showing up as offline when they are in fact online! Is anyone else having this problem and does anyone have a solution? As far as I can tell it's a widespread issue affecting many users and I can't seem to find an answer to the problem anywhere!

[Chips]

No big loss, I had not even turned on MSN in months... exclusively use Skype these days (when I log in).

[Maria F]

The new skype is working fine for me too. I mainly deal with affiliates via Skype, so this msn issue hasn't affected me.

I used Trillian in the past and it is very good.

[Anthony]

I have separate MSN and skype contacts, not thrilled of the idea of merging them. Looks like I will be checking out Yahoo, thanks Rick.

[xecutable]

Since both are owned by Microsoft, doesn't sound surprising. Is ICQ still alive? I remember it's was also peer -> server -> peer therefore offline messaging available. Skype was always better for file transfers (p2p just beats servers) but I always hated those delayed messages.

Sometimes even when both people are online it still fails to deliver them, until one of the too, makes a call and hangs up immediately.

[FictionNet]

I actually been using Trillian a lot more lately

I completely forgot about Trillian, haven't used it for years - no idea why. Can I continue to use my MSN IM via Trillian, do you know?

[universal4]

As fars as I know as long as MSN does not take it down, MSN can be used along with Skype, Google, AIM, ICQ, XMPP, Yahoo.

I used it years ago a lot, then drifted away. But recently have been chatting more on Yahoo so I started using Trillian again since I can watch multiple accounts, even more than 1 alias at a time under the same messenger so it is more convenient.

I haven't added skype to my trillian yet since I don't want to take the extra time in arranging the contacts etc but I will get to it eventually. I mostly use skype for pre-arranged conversations with family in other states and clients and friends in other countries.

Also, there is a yahoo app for android and I talk to one person voice from my computer to their phone, but I can not get that to work through trillian so if I want to do that I load the yahoo messenger do the voice call, when done reconnect trillian.

Rick
Universal4

[FictionNet]

Jut spotted this on the Beeb site:

"Microsoft to turn off Windows Messenger on 15 March"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20984820

"On that date Messenger log-ins will no longer work and users must turn to Skype, said Microsoft in an email sent to all Messenger users."

[universal4]

I do not use MSN much but will need to make a point to go in and preserve all contact information so I can add them into skype manually later....

Rick
Universal4

[Renee]

Jut spotted this on the Beeb site:

"Microsoft to turn off Windows Messenger on 15 March"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20984820

"On that date Messenger log-ins will no longer work and users must turn to Skype, said Microsoft in an email sent to all Messenger users."

Yep this is my issue, that they are forcing us.

I've only started using skype about a year ago and since I've been here for almost 8 years, my msn list is HUGE. I Moved the team away from yahoo/icq/aim last year because trillian is a pain in the ass.. It's a good program but I just remember it used to give me the shits.

*sigh*

Anyway just felt like having a bitch about it.
I do prefer skype, except for the offline messaging thing.

[xecutable]

I don't know if this is a solution for you Renee, but I have a Skype on a small laptop running 24/7 just for that. I don't stop my machine either, but I imagine at the office you do. Anyways in the morning when I would turn the other machine (that has been shut down) the messages pop right on it with a few exceptions cause skype is buggy.

[TheBoyMitchell]

Is there a simple way to import MSN contacts into Skype?

[Maria F]

Hi TheBoyMitchell,

You just have to update your skype version, take a look at this link http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-...ive-messenger/ . make sure to read the instructions.

Hope this helps!

[Maria F]

I noticed that you lose your messenger history when you add your contacts to Skype; so I suggest for you to safe any important history before you update Skype.

I have the feeling that is not possible, but if anybody knows how to find the old msn history on Skype, please let us know.

[Renee]

Hey Maria
MSN history will be saved on your computer somewhere..
On my machine they are saved in Documents\My Received Files\renee(series of numbers)\History.
If you still have msn installed you should be able to go to Options and click History to see where they are saved.

From memory they are saved in an xml file so if you open them in IE you'll need to be a bit patient trying to read them.

Cheers

[Renee]

I don't know if this is a solution for you Renee, but I have a Skype on a small laptop running 24/7 just for that. I don't stop my machine either, but I imagine at the office you do. Anyways in the morning when I would turn the other machine (that has been shut down) the messages pop right on it with a few exceptions cause skype is buggy.

The only issue I have with leaving the skype open is that people think if you're invisible and their messages are going through that you're there. I left it on accidentally one night on invisible and when I got in the next day someone had gone loopy on me because they thought I was ignoring them.

I suppose it's an option though. Thanks.

[xecutable]

Perhaps leave it on with away icon and status text "I am away from the office". Might be new for people at first but they should get the hang of it I guess. Changes like those suck, but you gotta adapt . It's MS way or no way ha ha