Microsoft revised its program to circumvent the block. AOL revamped their software to thwart Microsoft users. And so it continues. The spoils of this match, the method behind the messenger madness is, as always, money . He who controls instant messaging will control a huge part of the Internet.
Instant messaging is the fastest growing Internet service.
It is drawing and keeping surfers. While net users drift in and out of portals and Web sites, that instant message hovers on the user's screen virtually all day. This offers the stickiness advertisers crave. Control of instant messaging interface will allow for the advertising and marketing revenues of the future. It's possible that in the final round the poor underdog user will get the hardest hit .