Ok have been hearing alot about Skype from certain techie magasines lately and wanted to know some other peoples comments on it

where I think it differs is that it is marketing itself as a cheap way of talking with friends anywhere - now other IM's are capable of this and have had the feature in place for sometime lets compare Skype and the current leader (IMHO) MSN

Skype Features (from http;//www.skype.com )
Free unlimited worldwide phone calls to other Skype users

Superior sound quality – better than your regular phone

Works with all firewall, NAT and routers – nothing to configure!

Friends list shows you when your Skype friends are online and ready to talk or chat

Super-simple and easy to use
Your calls are encrypted “end-to-end” for superior privacy

Based on cutting edge peer-to-peer technology developed by the creators of Kazaa and Joltid
MSN Features (from http://messenger.msn.com/Feature/default.aspx)

Communicate
Instant message in real time, get face-to-face with webcam, send messages to your friends' cell phones, or get the latest news with MSN Alerts. It's easy to explore all the ways to stay in touch!

Customize
Create your own display pictures, backgrounds, and emoticons, or download images from around the world. Use MSN Messenger to express yourself to the world!

Play
Play games with a friend, share photos and files, send animated greetings on special occasions - all from one button while you instant message. Have fun together!

Manage
Protect your kids with parental controls, block spam, catch new email when it comes in, or set your online status. Use MSN Messenger to keep your life organized.
ok so MSN looks more feature rich - but when do you actually use most of them? I know I dont - lol
Except the fact that MSN is pretty customisable....but would you prefer something that is customisable or something that is ad free?

Well I wanted to check out some of Skypes Claims so have just done a download of it

It claims to be adware/spyware free....now call me a cynic but coming from the makers of Kazza I dont believe them - so am going to do a clean sweep of PC with S&D and Ad-aware install Skype and try scan again see if anything new turns up

Also their claim that it can work through any firewall without any configuration. Now I dont know if they count hittin the allow button when it pops up form your firewall as configuration but it claims that MSN (and other IM's) cannot do this - my money is on Skype needing me to allow it as well - if not some kiddies would love to know how they are getting through every firewall

well off to do the scans and install will be back with results.

v_Ln