[Ayatana] Why are the MeMenu and the messaging applet two separate things?

[David Prieto <frandavid100@xxxxxxxxx>]

I originally sent this as a question for Askubuntu, but got no reply:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/10688/why-are-the-memenu-and-the-messaging-applet-two-separate-things

"When I look at them, their functionality seems to overlap so much that they could almost be merged:

• The MA is used to open Gwibber, but the MM is used to set the accounts and broadcast messages.
• The MA is used to open Empathy, but the MM is used to set the accounts and set a status (available, busy...).

All these could well be in different sections, either in the MA or the MM:

• Chat (set status, accounts).
• Mail (send mail, contacts).
• Broadcast (send message, accounts).
• Ubuntu One.
• About me.

So, why the decision to split them in two different indicators, thus taking extra space in the panel?"