[hello_moto]

All of my friends switched from ICQ to MSN. The switch happened kind of fast too. Especially during the XP and hotmail era. XP comes with windows messenger pre-installed. Not to mentioned the whole Windows Live ID thingie.

[skore]

I think the introduction of Windows/Xbox Live was the driving force that pushed it in the triple digits million userbase here, not an actual decision to switch to MSN. If all of your friends are suddenly on another service, it's no wonder you'll switch eventually.