A Quote from Gregory Wright as posted on FC:Replies to AOL again blocks Trillian instant messaging Users 15/02/02 2:52 pm. As a side note I use Trillian Version 0.70
The only part I would exclude from the quote is the whine line I would stop at the words terms of service. And good rant Will, some good info there.
'I think the point that most people seem to miss here is that AOL's AIM and
ICQ services are owned and operated by AOL, and as such they have the right
to set the terms of use - and this includes not allowing non-AIM or non-ICQ
clients to access their service. There are numerous reasons for such policies,
including protecting their own network and servers (for which most AIM Users
pay NOTHING to use, I might add) from potential issues introduced by software
outside of their control, and also whatever revenue they get from
displaying the
advertisements in the contact list or message window. This is not a question of
anti-trust: consumers still have choices in IM services, as mentioned by B.K.,
such as Yahoo!, MSN and others... and they are just as viable as AIM or ICQ.
The solution here is simple - if you don't like the terms of service, don't
use the
service - nobody is putting a gun to your head to make you use AIM or ICQ. If
you feel that strongly about it, convince your friends or associates to use a
different service, don't just whine about a company doing what they are
perfectly
within their rights to do.'
--
Gregory Wright (<gwright@ravyn.com>
Ravyn Multimedia
Frederick, MD