While I am not happy to hear that Microsoft has bought this service, it is not exactly bothersome. More than likely you are right to say that Microsoft will probably decrease the overall quality and even add a paid licensing system to the program. However, Skype has already proved a point about communication in the internet age, and Microsoft's purchase of Skype does not detract from this. The reason that Skype has become prolific amongst internet users is the quality of the program and the rich feature set. Thus, competitors to Skype have had an uphill battle in their attempts to gain market share. If Microsoft actually moves to either change the feature set or require payment, this uphill battle begins to decrease drastically and competing products will begin to fill the void.

Hmmm...Skype features get individually priced...feature prices rise...then it costs as much to use Skype as a cell phone plan...no more use for Skype.

Thanks Microsoft--we love you.  At least iTunes didn't buy Skype.

ID wins by a furlong.