Skype has walked a long way from what it once was and I think that it is still getting better and providing more and more services. So I don't think that it will disappear or fade away like ICQ or mIRC, well at least for now.
I use Skype when I have to make international calls, or when potential clients wish to communicate through voice (usually to confirm my national origin, I suspect). But I have to be honest, I cannot stand Skype for video calls. It isn't that it doesn't work as it should, I just don't like the thought of someone staring at my face through a camera. However much like a face-to-face meeting it is supposed to be, it just doesn't feel that way. I end up uncomfortable and much too self conscious about what my face might be doing.
I use skype sparingly, since most of my contacts don't use it. However, I do like the video chat capabilities.
I use Skype for all my SEO consulting / MMO consulting / power groups with other successful marketers to discuss whats good and whats not, what to avoid and what is working...as well as just chatting!!
I still use Skype and now that Windows Live Messenger is out of the house, more people are switching over to it.
Nothing compares with Skype chat though it face competition from G-chat or hangout,but i still use Skype chat.
I use Skype all day. I was wondering if Msn messenger still works or not? I can use it with Skype but I want to use Msn messenger separately.
I am using Skype since last few months to communicate with clients. It's globally used than other IMs so no problem for me
Skype has been very helpful for me in the last year, I move a lot as i am a basketball player and usually i play one season in one country next i am playing in another one far away from the previous. So skype helped me stay in contact with my friends and familiy but it also helps me stay in touch with my clients. Its an awesome software
I use skype only for business and talking to clients in my freelance job. But with friends and family skype is useless as you have mentioned it is too slow. I use line, viber and whatsapp instead.