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I hope it's ok to ping the list with this... Has Epicware received any
similar harassment. Unfortunately this seems to be one of the fruits of
success, js
AOL blocks instant messaging start-up
By Lisa M. Bowman
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
January 30, 2002, 4:20 PM PT
People using the popular Trillian software may lose access to part of AOL
Time Warner's instant messaging system.
Firing another salvo in the battle over instant messaging, America Online is
blocking people using the Trillian interface from linking to its AOL Instant
Messenger (AIM) system.
Trillian, which allows people to access multiple instant messaging programs
from one screen, has attracted nearly a million people who are hoping to
streamline their use of incompatible systems, including AOL's AIM and ICQ,
Yahoo's Messenger and Microsoft's MSN Messenger.
But in the past 24 hours, an elaborate game of cat and mouse has developed
between AOL and Trillian creator Cerulean Studios--as the start-up has
repeatedly released new software designed to get around the block, prompting
AOL to rush in and stop people from using it.
Meanwhile, Trillian fans are snared in cross fire.
"AOL is being selfish," Trillian user Mike Cicciarelli said in an instant
messaging exchange with News.com.
Trillian user Chris Hilbert said he's downloaded new software several times
in the past day in an attempt to re-establish access with AIM. Hilbert said
he uses Trillian because it's simple.
"I like that there are no ads, less bloat," said Hilbert, an Indiana
University student and creator of the FileFlash Web site. "I don't have to
have four different clients open."
But AOL said it's a matter of security and is framing the conflict as yet
another chapter in the instant messaging wars. In recent years, AOL has
clashed with other makers of IM software, including Microsoft and AT&T. Both
companies tried to create systems that let people correspond with AIM
users--only to have them blocked.
"It has long been our very public policy that when a service unleashes
software that hacks into our system, and endangers the security of our
system, we stop it," AOL spokeswoman Kathy McKiernan said.
McKiernan said that Trillian does not have a business relationship with AOL.
"To the extent that consumers think they do, they were misled," McKiernan
said.
Meanwhile, the creators of Trillian plan to keep up the tit-for-tat efforts.
Since AOL first started blocking the software Tuesday, they have released
one workaround and at least two more full downloads of Trillian.
Michael Gartenberg, a research director at Jupiter Media Metrix, called
AOL's practice "predatory," but he said at least the media behemoth is
consistent in blocking both large and small companies from accessing its
system.
"There are no technical reasons they can't open up IM, but there are a lot
of business reasons not to," Gartenberg said. "They're not going to unless
they're forced to."
News.com's Evan Hansen contributed to this report.
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John Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cincro Communications Corp. <www.cincro.com>
Opening The Window to Interaction
P 703.532.5501 AIM - jmscottiii
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