[Am-info] Microsoft reaction to security problems - close out competitors

[Gene Gaines]

Are you receiving a message such as these...

> '.NET Messenger Service Staff: You are running a version of
> messenger that requires an immediate security update. Please visit
> http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Upgrades.aspx to complete the update.'

or

> "ATTENTION: IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED FOR MSN AND WINDOWS MESSENGER
> USERS."

I interpret Microsoft's thinking on this as (a) we caused the
security problems, (b) heck, what a wonderful opportunity to
screw more competitors, (c) let's start to lock down and shut out,
(d) ain't monopoly a wonderful thing as it creates so many
opportunities to screw others, (e) what others? of course,
competitors and potential competitors, (f) users? hell, we don't
have to worry about them.

The Microsoft lurkers on this list ... love to hear from you why
this interpretation is wrong.

It is time to abandon the MSN ship?

See news article below.

But of course, perhaps I do not understand the Gates/Ballman

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Microsoft to lock down MSN Messenger network
Move will exclude users of third-party software

By Joris Evers, IDG News Service        August 19, 2003  

Microsoft Corp. is making changes to its MSN instant messaging (IM)
service that will lock out users of third-party software that uses the
service as well as users of older versions of Microsoft's own
Messenger client, the company said Tuesday.

Users have to upgrade to the latest versions of MSN or Windows
Messenger by Oct. 15 or they will no longer be able to log on,
Microsoft spokesman Sean Sundwall said. The upgrade is required
because of "security issues" with the older versions of the Messenger
clients, he said, declining to specify those issues.

Besides those older Messenger clients, the move also affects IM
software such as Trillian, Imici and Odigo that allow users to
consolidate multiple IM accounts in one client, Sundwall said.

"It is our expectation that those who use our service with unlicensed
or unauthorized third-party clients will likely not be able to log on
after Oct. 15," Sundwall said. "We would encourage those third parties
to contact us to work out agreements by which they can continue to
have their customers access our network."

Complete article at:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/08/19/HNmsnlockdown_1.html


Gene Gaines
gene.gaines@gainesgroup.com
Sterling, Virginia