Instant Messaging takes a big step toward interoperability
Lots of people use some form of instant messaging - in fact it is the medium of choice for North American youth. Many under 30’s have buddy lists running in the hundreds plus various IM accounts and alter ego’s depending on who they are talking to.
The problem with IM has always been that if say one bud is using MSN and another YAHOO you can’t communicate as each provider has fiercely protected their service and made it a closed community- unless you use a program like Trillian.
So the recent announcement from MSN and YAHOO is big news as for the first time the big boys are opening up their systems and pushing interoperability. What this means to you and me is that you can communicate with your buds regardless of whether you use MSN and they use YAHOO.