A limited public beta test of interoperability between the instant messaging systems run by two major Internet players begins today; 350 million users of Yahoo Messenger with Voice and Windows Live Messenger will be able to communicate across the two systems.
Another walled garden is in the process of being dismantled. Instant messenger (IM) users have been restricted in communicating with users on separate systems. The frustration over this has led to a demand for better interoperability.
Software solutions like Trillian , and web services like Meebo, have been available to address the problem. Those approaches allow a user to combine IM profiles from several services into one place, and chat with all of their contacts.
Give two things credit for the breaking down of the wall between Microsoft and Yahoo, which announced their plans for interoperability last year: consumer demand and online advertising. People wanted control of their messaging experience. They can email anyone on any system, or call from a cellphone to any other cellphone, without a problem.
Why should IM be any different?
Read the Entire Article
