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Is Another IM War Brewing?

Microsoft recently announced they would suspend inter-operability with Trillian and Jabber, used by millions of people worldwide. With the upcoming release of their new version of MSN Messenger, is the software giant trying to clean the bug house or attempting another hostile take-over of the IM world?

Let's face it, it is legitimate for Microsoft to make the best product they can and to alter communications protocols to protect servers and users from hackers, but things may not be as clear as they seem, particularly with Microsoft spamming MSN and HotMail accounts with various IM messages announcing their new product and accompanied by requirements to upgrade. Well, maybe some of us do not like MSN Messenger (or AIM or Yahoo!, etc...) and maybe some of us communicate with people using various IM accounts. Trillian and Jabber (and other less-known products) provide a way to inter-connect across various IM networks. 

What's wrong with that? Should we accept to install multiple phone lines to call different people because phone companies don't want to play nice and cooperate? The answer is clearly NO, telcoms have long ago understood this and so should Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo!. Why can't they compete and create their own inter-operable IM products and let the chips fall where they may? Can't they compete with small software companies any longer and do they have to use monopolist tactics to protect their turf?

Why should have to suffer through having to install at least 3 IM clients when one will do? Why are the 'big 3' IM clients so intrusive and heavy-footed while Trillian and Jabber have elegant, intuitive interfaces, no spyware and most of all very small footprints?
Why don't the 'big 3' IM client inter-connect?

We may very well be looking at a bad case of 'not invented here' spreading across our technology world and stifling the development of the wonderful means of communication that instant messaging has become. History shows that market forces can influence such outcomes. The feud between Edison and Westinghouse regarding power generation and distribution (with Westinghouse better idea to generate AC power finally emerging as the standard) is a fine example of practical technology triumphing over mercantilism.

Furthermore, the argument that 'independent clients' IM traffic is relayed through servers belonging to the 'big 3' and therefore should be controlled by these companies is irrelevant because IM traffic would occur anyway. It would just originates from a different IM client. What do the 'big 3' have in store for us? Compulsory advertising via IM, 'a la AOL'? Is this why they intend to keep their IM clients so proprietary?

We all know that, in the end, Microsoft will offer support for Jabber and Trillian, maybe by levying protocol licensing fees on those companies or by forcing them to release new versions, compatible with the new MS IM protocol.

This is not acceptable either: Only government can legally levy taxes and oftentimes, software licensing agreements (and particularly Microsoft's) resemble too closely 'use taxes' where no value is exchanged except for the right of using the software. On the other side of the coin, the Internet belongs to everyone and all traffic should follow common standards and protocols. For example, //digital things is a technology company, our revenue is largely based on software licensing but we provide service in exchange and we strictly comply with all Internet protocols. Why can't the software giants do the same?

It is time we all demand and obtain a common standard for IM communication and keep a vigilant eye on any attempt to impose private monopoly on the public network (paid for with OUR taxes) that we call the Internet. Let Microsoft, Yahoo! and AOL drive their big buses on the super-highway, but we must be also make sure that everybody else can travel there as well, in whatever vehicle they choose.
That's what America is all about!

Previous articles in 'Our World' chronicle:
- Fighting SPAM: Triumph of the Obnoxious?
- Euro-style: The ECC single currency.

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