I totally agree. Microsoft is on the other side of the table for once. 9 times out of 10, companies like Corel and StarDivision as well as open-source projects like Samba have to bend-over backwards because Microsoft decides to manipulate its file formats. Now Microsoft is faced with the same types of gimmicks and what happens? They put their multi-billion dollar marketing team to work creating a stir.
AOL Instant Messenger is a *FREE* client that is totally funded, hosted, and improved upon by AOL and its employees. There are versions for Windows, Mac, and they even helped in the tik product so Unix users could use it as well. Now here comes Microsoft with its Windows-only client that hijacks connections to AOL's service and brings nothing new or improved into the IM arena except draining from the AOL hosted AIM servers.
Why do I have no sympathy for Microsoft? In their noble pursuit for "standards", they have once again brought us a Windows-only client with absolutely no innovation, and through their marketing are able to make AOL look like the bad company, even though they have been providing a good, solid, multi-platform service for years.
Ask yourself one question - does MSIMN run on Unix/Mac/etc.? If Microsoft is able to gain the upper hand once again through its embrace and extend tactics, do you think it will ever run on your system?
I'm sorry - but currently if you don't want to use AIM, you have what's called a CHOICE. If you don't like ICQ, screw it, use IRC or talk. Nothing binds you to use these products. However, remember the wolf in sheeps clothing that eliminates your choice by force-installing their products on their operating systems used by 95% of the world.
Until Microsoft demonstrates that they can cooperatively use open standards without manipulating them internally for their own purposes, I will never give credence these arguments.
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Note that 3com is releasing drivers that support more cards than the current ones released by Becker.
I totally agree. Microsoft is on the other side of the table for once. 9 times out of 10, companies like Corel and StarDivision as well as open-source projects like Samba have to bend-over backwards because Microsoft decides to manipulate its file formats. Now Microsoft is faced with the same types of gimmicks and what happens? They put their multi-billion dollar marketing team to work creating a stir.
AOL Instant Messenger is a *FREE* client that is totally funded, hosted, and improved upon by AOL and its employees. There are versions for Windows, Mac, and they even helped in the tik product so Unix users could use it as well. Now here comes Microsoft with its Windows-only client that hijacks connections to AOL's service and brings nothing new or improved into the IM arena except draining from the AOL hosted AIM servers.
Why do I have no sympathy for Microsoft? In their noble pursuit for "standards", they have once again brought us a Windows-only client with absolutely no innovation, and through their marketing are able to make AOL look like the bad company, even though they have been providing a good, solid, multi-platform service for years.
Ask yourself one question - does MSIMN run on Unix/Mac/etc.? If Microsoft is able to gain the upper hand once again through its embrace and extend tactics, do you think it will ever run on your system?
I'm sorry - but currently if you don't want to use AIM, you have what's called a CHOICE. If you don't like ICQ, screw it, use IRC or talk. Nothing binds you to use these products. However, remember the wolf in sheeps clothing that eliminates your choice by force-installing their products on their operating systems used by 95% of the world.
Until Microsoft demonstrates that they can cooperatively use open standards without manipulating them internally for their own purposes, I will never give credence these arguments.
Just exploring the oracle site after looking over this article and saw this great message after clicking on the links on the left menubar:
"Can not service this request, please try again later"