Microsoft and Skype: A marriage made in heaven?

Today's shock announcement that Microsoft has paid US$ 8.5 Billion and bought Skype has many wondering about what the outcome would be. That MS paid in cash has been reported on one news outlet as a snubbing of the banks.

Skype has been popular not only as a social video chat platform but as a communications platform for small and medium enterprises (SME). If any major changes are brought about by MS it is they who would be most affected.

Whatever the future holds for Skype users, it is clear that an era has come to an end. Microsoft would have to demonstrate that they are capable of charting a new era while retaining the confidence of the huge bank of Skype users. Any loss of confidence among Skype's customers would see newcomers cash-in on a market that for them would be like manna from heaven.

Read what ZDNet has to say: Microsoft buys Skype, so what happens next?

A New App To Deter Those Contemplating Suicide?

I was saddened to read about the man who jumped to his death from the 147th floor of the Burj Khalifa and landed on the 108th floor apparently following a dispute with his company.

Suicide is a result of depression. Could a computer application deter a person from suicide? I'd like to think its worth a try.

For those with the knowledge and resources here's the concept. A computer application that is more like a game where the person concerned would upload photographs of himself that would make a 3-D image where he could check out several possible scenarios. For instance the guy who attempts to jump off a building would see himself falling and smash to smithereens and possibly being shovelled into a bag. Should be sufficient to scare the daylights? Or would it?

Over to the Police and the psycho-specialists to try out.

As for the man who jumped out of the Burj Khalifa, May his soul rest in peace.