Skype is not Free Software : you cannot change it, examine it for errors and security holes, or use it except with their permission and on their terms. You can’t trust your communications to Skype, even if it is convenient and popular.

Skype's protocol is only used by Skype, not published and not implemented by anyone else. You cannot make it interact with anything but the Skype client. You cannot combine it with anything else to make it more valuable. You cannot have a client more suitable for your needs as the official Skype client is the only one allowed.

With hundred of implementations of SIP, IAX and other open protocols; and with E164 and others to identify users, I cannot understand why anyone would use Skype.

Who in their right minds would use a proprietary and closed network ? Just say no ! We, as consumers, are aware of the benefits of an open standards based networks. We have a duty to make the right choices and explain them to the people around us. That begins with telling our contacts that we are not available on AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Skype & co. Interoperability is not enough - only standards and open networks will do !

I know I sound like a an extremist zealot. But this is an important battle. What we have today exists only because TCP/IP, SMTP and other standards prevailed and made the open Internet. The next generation of services depends on an IM system. It may be XMPP, it may be SIP based IMS infrastructures - whatever. But please don't let it be a bunch of closed systems such as Skype.