*semi-rant* is aol more of a monopoly than microsoft?

[storm2k]

you probably know about the whole trillian versus aol thing, with aol blocking trillian's software from connecting to aol.

today, wired news featured a good article on the subject.

*rant on*

what is with aol blocking access to everything that isn't its official aim client? they claim security. please. we've all heard the constant security problems with the aim clients and their servers. look at the pot calling the kettle black. trillian is a far more stable and secure client. they even impliment something that's been in aim's oscar protocol for a long time: 128 bit security. they'll encrypt im's between you and another trillian user. boo. i mean, ok for example, microsoft wants you to use interenet explorer to surf the net, but they dont' block your access to the net if you install netscape or opera instead. this behavior by aol is WRONG. i mean hell it's a free service after all, why can't aol just let us trillian users keep using trillian? ok, i'm sure gaim isn't supported by aol, but they don't seem to have a problem with linux users connecting to aim with it.

*rant off*

because of this, i'm decalring aol to be a worse monopoly than microsoft. please fell free to chime in on it...

[vass0922]

Unfortunately neither one of them is a "good" company.
Just cause AOL isn't under the firing squad of numerous states attorney's doesn't mean its any better of a company, it just hasn't pissed off enough people I guess...

Very few if any companies nowadays that don't push their weight around when they get to that size.

[skuz]

I just saw my first AOL commercial on TV.

They are trying to get in Quebec. It will be hard with such dumb looking people in the ad and since many people are already happy where they are.

[MDdan]

I personally appreciate the hard work of AOL and Microsoft to provide the internet that we have today. And furthermore...

*ROFL*.....sorry, couldn't keep a straight face

[jkrohn]

The only thing I can see AOL complaining about is lost advertising. Either way they get paid, somehow counts views, or just a flat fee based on users, if their advertisers get word that their users are switching to Trillian, which doesn't carry those ads, that could mean lost $$$, which is ultimately what it is all about. Now, as it stands there isn't a "mass exodus" of users over to Trillian, but as the article states, those who use it like it. It has a 93% rating on Download.com, has an easy install and is easy to use. So why not crush something now that may threaten you in the future using an excuse that can be given some creditability?

Is this a "good" response from our view, of course not, but if you can get away with it, it's good business.
Jkrohn

[willy_ph]

When will AOL ever decide that they have enough of the pie? If they keep going they'll probably end up like Enron. Is that really a bad thing though?

I'll just stick with my Sympatico DSL. I know, I know, they're no better, but I'm dropping them after the rates go back up and jumping on board with a local ISP.

[RayH]

Microsoft was certainly blocking access for a while from competing products such as QuickTime, Netscape (to Microsoft site), etc.

Remeber, for all our talk about security IMs are the biggest wormhole in your computer! I prefer ICQ over other Instant Messaging.

MSN does not allow files to be SENT using ICQ when logged on to MSN. So much for Microsoft being equal partners!

Anybody can get AOL Instant Messenger for free.

[DutchMaster]

Quote:

Anybody can get AOL Instant Messenger for free

So is MSN Messenger, ICQ, Netscape IM, and Yahoo IM.
Personally I like Trillian who does all in one program and is without ads and useluss "add-on's"

I think AOL is quite getting their way to get big. Maybe AOL will takeover Microsoft. Or the other way around. Than we are getting to world domination.

I remember this movie about a company that rules the world because they build a shield around the earth to protect us to UV because the Ozon layer was disolved.

Ohwell getting a bit carried away here.

[Knothead]

Quote:

Originally posted by MDdan
I personally appreciate the hard work of AOL and Microsoft to provide the internet that we have today. And furthermore...

*ROFL*.....sorry, couldn't keep a straight face

ROFLMAO!!!
I almost wrote the same thing...
Too funny.

[newbie~wan]

Quote:

Originally posted by willy_ph
When will AOL ever decide that they have enough of the pie?

There is no such thing as "enough of the pie". Even if they were satisfied and wanted to remain of the same size/profitability/market influence, this would not be possible. This is not a static world, its dynamic and constantly changing. If you're not growing, you're shrinking. It's up or down, one way or the other.

This fact tends to equate survival w/ greed. Is it fair? I dunno. I have a hard time deciding what is fair every day of my life.