The instant messaging fracas took another turn today when EarthLink and MindSpring announced they would distribute co-branded versions of America Online's Instant Messenger, making the software available to another 2.5 million users.
AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM) will allow subscribers of rival ISPs EarthLink and MindSpring to trade real-time online messages across networks. EarthLink and MindSpring subscribers will become part of the 28 million-strong global AIM community. EarthLink, in Pasadena, Calif., has 1.3 million users and MindSpring, in Atlanta, has 1.2 million.
Ironically, the "hot news" section of MindSpring's home page includes a link titled "Make the Switch to MindSpring and Escape AOL" which leads to a page detailing all the reasons why MindSpring is better than AOL. The content bar at the top of that page says "Toss AOL! Get MindSpring!" The page also notes that MindSpring subscribers can use AIM, as well as other messaging software.
"I think there are a lot of different people in this space," says Erika Jolly, vice president of consumer products MindSpring. "People leave AOL services and we'd like to encourage them to switch over to MindSpring."
MindSpring isn't the only company that advocates tossing AOL, which has recently become embroiled in a dispute with Microsoft. The software maker recently released MSN Messenger, announcing it would interoperate with AIM. Yahoo followed suit. AOL wasn't pleased.
Microsoft and Yahoo messaging software communicated with AIM by accessing user AIM passwords, which AOL deemed a breach of security. AOL also took umbrage over the rival messaging software accessing its servers. AOL denied access to its networks, but Microsoft tried to circumvent AOL's attempts by posting new versions of its messaging software.
Microsoft, Yahoo and other vendors wrote a letter to AOL CEO Steve Case asking to meet so they could discuss an industry standard for instant messaging. AOL responded by creating an advisory board stacked with Microsoft critics and chief rivals and announced deals with Lotus and Apple for interoperability between messaging software from those vendors.
MindSpring absolutely intends to stay out of the brouhaha, Jolly says. "We'll let those other guys handle that."
The deal with AOL was forged because it will give users a better overall online experience, she says. EarthLink President and CEO Garry Betty expressed the same sentiment in a written statement.
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