I always naturally gravitate away from Microsoft applications. I'm writing this entry on a desktop running Ubuntu, I edit .docx files in LibreOffice and I haven't used IE in about a decade. But there is one Microsoft software application I do use daily, and I think it's great.
Admittedly, I was late to the Skype party. I've only been using it for about six months, but it's a key part of my working day. Skype works great in Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, as well as my Android phone. I just got off a Skype call with a gentleman in Germany and it was as clear as a bell, and absolutely free of charge. I love Skype, and Skype is owned by Microsoft.
Skype was only acquired by Microsoft in 2011, so there's plenty of time for them to mess with a good thing, but so far they haven't. But when I can make a clear and reliable Skype call to my buddy Frank in California without paying a dime, and Rogers wants 40¢ a minute to make the call from my phone, the choice isn't really a choice at all.
Skype wins. Do you use it?