I can see why Microsoft has decided to merge Skype with WLM; WLM is a dead medium, because Facebook killed it. But until Facebook has an amazing webcam service, Skype wins here.

Unless you live in China, Windows Live Messenger will shut down for good.

Personally, I hate Skype to chat. WLM is clean.
They need to update its look. (Probably a Windows 8 looking version is in the works)

I'm the opposite, its about time they killed off WLM at least merging them means you don't need an account for so many services that do the same thing!

Yea, I stopped using WLM and overuse skype.
Took this path about 2 years ago because free(ish) VOIP hosting for games is win.

Skype is awesome...

Skype is a bit patchy though sometimes it drops out!

Oh no not windows live messenger!
I have been using it since the start of my Internet childhood.

Facebook has Skype integrated in to its chat system. That is the video calling button on chat. Its supplied by Skype.

I've only ever used Skype for work meetings so I just associate it with that. Since Facebook there's only like, 3 people I still chat to on WLM (or MSN as we still call it) but I will still miss it. Don't much care for Facebook's chat thing, it still feels too much like a message system rather than a chat system. Plus you need to have the browser open and have the Facebook page constantly there.

I won't miss MSN's new emoticons however, which were clearly drawn by a psychopath with no understanding of human emotions or expressions.