WSJ.com - Microsoft, Yahoo Plan Instant-Message Pact

WSJ.com - Microsoft, Yahoo Plan Instant-Message Pact

WhenGoogle announced its open source instant messaging service, I wrote that the presure was on the other players to allow "cross talk". As you might guess, the big players are still trying to protect turf. MSFT and YAHO are expected to announce the first mash-up. These guys are not going to an open standard but they are allowing access to the proprietary system of each.

The situation is still crazy. It is like having a Sprint phone and not being able to call anyone who has a Cingular phone.

The pressure is now on AOL. AOL. has the largest market share. I personally will not use anything but an open system; because that is the way it should be.