Users are advising others to manually backup contacts before the move to avoid any data loss and to make the move painless. This has led to some panic that Microsoft will handle the transition poorly, whether or not that is true is purely speculation. However reports have started coming in of contacts not moving over with accounts, causing angry complaints in the Skype and MSN forums from users. Users of MSN messenger will be migrated over on march 15 th, and have the option to move over sooner if they wish by a button added to the desktop app of MSN messenger.
However with the growing popularity of Skype, Facebook’s built in chat, Google Talk, and other competitors, MSN just couldn’t compete. It came in multiple languages and worked on multiple platforms, which was a great success at its time. MSN Messenger was the most popular chat program back in 1999-early 2000’s.
In November of 2012, Microsoft made their intentions of merging the programs clear. With Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype in May 2011, many started to wonder what they were going to do with TWO major chat programs. Microsoft has made plans to close down the service on the 15 th of March.
It’s a somber announcement for those who have used Live Messenger for the last 13 years.
