Re: OT - DO NOT READ...Skype lovers only.

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in
news:furpa3$h24$1@aioe.org:

> If Google allowed you to
> tie a GC number to a Skype username directly, that'd eliminate the
> need for a "Skype In" number.
>
>

I'd love to get Skype away from the storefront salesmen (Ebay) and have the
expert coders of Google in control of the products. Google would start
adding some real innovations to Skype's already great products. I'd feel
much better with the Google hackers in control of Skype. Hell, they might
even FINALLY get a driver written so Skype on my N800 Linux tablet could
use its WEBCAM for Skype Video calls! The cam has no access to the Skype
written for the thing, now. That's a shame because the N800 cam was made
for internet video.

On 2008-04-24, SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
> Skype is doing very poorly. eBay is trying to unload it, but who would
> buy it? They've lowered the valuation from the $3.1 billion they paid
> for it, down to $1.4 billion.

I'm not sure about this last bit. Skype has been profitable, and
increasingly so (well, if you include the writedown that would be
"cash flow positive") since Ebay began reporting their results.
Outside of the VoIP sidelines run by the cable and traditional
phone companies, I know of no other competitive VoIP company
which has been generating cash rather than consuming it.

They just aren't a good match for Ebay, though, and they certainly
didn't become profitable by charging exceptionally low prices for
the paid-for bits. On the other hand they do stand out in an
industry where almost no one else has found a business model
which doesn't leak cash. If the latter isn't discovered eventually
Skype might end up being the last man standing.

Dennis Ferguson

Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote in
news:slrng1430d.6f.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com:

> They just aren't a good match for Ebay

I still don't think Ebay was looking to go in the phone business, which, as
you point out, has never made money. No, I think Ebay was looking for a
phone company that could connect buyers to sellers in far off places for
really cheap for its CORE BUSINESS, the online store, where the real money
is.

Skype was also about breaking even and a good place to store excess cash
Ebay has plenty of.

["Followup-To:" header set to alt.cellular.verizon.]
On 2008-04-26, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:

> I still don't think Ebay was looking to go in the phone business, which, as
> you point out, has never made money. No, I think Ebay was looking for a
> phone company that could connect buyers to sellers in far off places for
> really cheap for its CORE BUSINESS, the online store, where the real money
> is.

I agree. Where the Skype purchase is concerned, that's the only explanation
that makes sense to me.


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