Before we get started, let me make a statement for the record: I have no strong opinion regarding the merits of Microsoft’s purchase of Skype except as it makes for a good poll question.

Now, with that out of the way, consider the scope of the punditry this past week or so.

While I don’t have a strong opinion about the merits or cost of the Microsoft acquisition, I do believe there is some strategic wisdom in the transaction. Microsoft is placing its bets on cloud computing and they need to have a presence in every aspect of that market, including VoIP. I don’t know if this Skype deal will have any significant impact in that regard, but I am willing to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt and patiently wait to see what happens.

But what do you think? Is the deal a bad idea? What do you see as the end result of the acquisition?