Re: OT: RE: Microsoft SmartTags

[Karen Harker]

The fact that the *browser* (or any other WinXP utility (i.e. Office programs, etc.)) can insert these links is at the heart of the discontent. IE6 will include these XP extensions that will link key words, names, etc. to pages designated by MS. Therefore, the page that is downloaded using IE6 includes links that were not provided by the person/organization who wrote the page. (Question: can the user select the pages/resources to link to?)   The argument is over who should have control over Web pages: users or content providers? I think most people, in the Web development community, at least, believe that while the user, in most circumstances, can have some control over the look & feel of the page (i.e. size/style of font, size of window, etc.), the content of the page is owned by the provider.   Take this analogy: A person who buys a book will often highlight words, write notes in the margins, etc. in order to make the information more comprehensible and to remember major points. But, you may wonder, wouldn't the SmartTags just be an extension of this? If the user can select the words to highlight, as well as the resource to use in the link, etc., then perhaps it would. I'm not sure that this is can be done. I'm still investigating this.  However, bringing in a third-party to highlight the text and send users elsewhere could bring much conflict.  What about the sites that discuss delicate issues? If a site is trying to promote one side, will its pages include links that send users to the opposing camp? What about corporate sites?  Will the links send users to their competition?   MS has agreed to ship IE6 with the SmartTags turned off, as well as to include recognition of a meta-tag that Web developers can incorporate into their pages that turns SmartTags off, but some people have indicated that the *user* has the ultimate control....Even if a page is downloaded with the "turn SmartTags off" metatag, if the user has selected to "Always Show SmartTags" feature in IE6, it will show SmartTags.   Furthermore, it is a Windows extension that can be used by any developer. But most Web page designers are not going to know how to create a SmartTag DLL. However, maybe these links, being so noticeably different from standard links, will just be ignored by users. But the issues surrounding it will not go away and may be settled in court.   Karen   We may find out in the near future. >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6/19/01 3:40:06 PM >>> I could well be mistaken, but based on the M$ Office XP info event I attended a couple of months ago, I belive the smart tags have to be programmed into the page.  They can do some really neat things, but I don't believe a user can change the appearance of a page or put additional links on a page that the designer/coder didn't put in. Can anyone set me straight if I am wrong? Loyd Campbell "Billy Cravens" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>@dfwcfug.org on 06/19/2001 03:33:12 PM Please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent by:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] To:   <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> cc: Subject:  OT: RE: Microsoft SmartTags I'm actually running Office XP and Beta 2 of Windows XP at home.  Yes, the smart tags are in there.  However, they are easy to identify as "different" links, and give you several options, like company info, stock quotes, etc.  Of course, all that info comes from MSN sites. Easily ignored if you don't like it.  There's a number of third-party products that do similar things.  Does it concern me?  To some extent, yes.  Do I believe it's part of Mr. Bill's evil plot to command the air, land, and ocean?  No. --- Billy Cravens HR Systems, Sabre [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Seth Bienek Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 1:45 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Microsoft SmartTags > Has anybody heard of this?  Has anybody tested it?  Has anybody > considered the impact this could have? Yes, it's a big mess.  There are other new "features" in Windows XP that are raising some eyebrows in the legal & developer communities as well: Legal experts question Windows XP --------------------------------- The inclusion of smart tags technology is "the latest way Microsoft continues to use its market monopoly power to give itself a unique advantage over its competitors," [Black] said. http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2775911,00.html Regards, Seth ----------------------------------- Seth Bienek Digitaris Technologies, Inc. tel (972) 690-4131, ext. 103 fax (972) 690-0617 icq 7673959 ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - This email server is running an evaluation copy of the MailShield anti- spam software. Please contact your email administrator if you have any questions about this message. 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