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It's Time To Take Back Instant Messaging

Posted by Hemos on from the like-any-monopoly dept.

Enigma5O writes "The TechZone says the world of instant messaging is a disjointed mess, and it's time for a citizen's revolt. From the article: "The obstacles in this case are three big companies: AOL, Yahoo! and Microsoft. Each wants to keep their networks closed, thereby forcing consumers to use their brand of software and effectively using their size to eliminate competition. Five years ago, Yahoo! and Microsoft were calling for then-leader AOL/ICQ to open their network to allow others to compete. They even successfully petitioned the FCC to restrict AOL's future developments before approving the AOL/Time Warner merger. When it was convenient for their business goals, Microsoft and Yahoo! waved the interoperability flag, but now that both companies have built substantial IM communities with their own closed networks, they have lost their passion for open networks.""

4 of 377 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Trillian by giorgiofr · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    It's very sad that people are stupid. See, you know better. So, you don't use WMV. So, you don't suffer any bad consequences. Unlike them. You win. What was your point again?

    --
    Global warming is a cube.
  2. Re:Trillian by giorgiofr · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Video that I will definitely not care to watch; somebody stupid enough to use an inferior format is unlikely to have a video of any interest to me. What was your point, AGAIN?

    --
    Global warming is a cube.
  3. bias? by fulldecent · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Then-current leader? I'm sorry but AIM is the instant messaging network, Yahoo and Microsoft are nothing.

    It's like comparing the internet searching capabilities of Google versus Hellen Keller.

    --

    -- I was raised on the command line, bitch

  4. Re:It's your own fault! by hr+raattgift · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I'm sorry, I didn't hear you over that netsplit.

    I'm sorry, I can't connect to the server you like to use.

    I'm sorry, there's been a division of the world into EFNET and Undernet.

    I'm sorry, there's been another division of the world, breeding IRCnet.

    I'm sorry, I was just nick-collided.

    I'm sorry, I've been kicked and banned from #xyz by someone with a really thin skin.

    I'm sorry, I've been squited.

    I'm sorry, I've been klined.

    I'm sorry, there's a flood attack going on.

    It was fun in 1991, but since then IRC == It's Really Crappy.