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To: puborectalis who wrote (57098)	8/23/1999 11:08:00 PM
From: kendall harmon	Respond to of 120523

Profile of revshark, one of the more interesting figures in cyberinvesting: Message 11046090

To: puborectalis who wrote (57098)	8/23/1999 11:57:00 PM
From: Ellen	Respond to of 120523

totaltele.com Microsoft Enlists Allies in Messaging Fight With AOL By Laura Raun at Bloomberg News 18 August 1999 Microsoft Corp. said three online companies, including Prodigy Communications Corp., have backed its instant-messaging software in the competition with America Online Inc. over real-time e-mail. In a bid to gain support for its instant-messaging standards, Microsoft has published its specifications and submitted them to the Internet Engineering Task Force, an industry oversight body, said Rob Bennett, product manager in Microsoft's consumer and commerce group. Other companies favoring free connections for real-time e-mail, rather than fee-based ones, are expected to join the Microsoft camp, Bennett said. Microsoft, the world's biggest software maker, and No. 1 online service AOL have been at odds for almost a month over their instant-messaging technologies. Microsoft wants free access between instant e-mail providers and industry standards, while AOL wants commercial access involving payments between providers. "We're providing solutions that are resonating well with consumers and with standards bodies," Bennett said. AOL said it hasn't been contacted by Microsoft about the publication of the specifications. AOL supports industrywide efforts to agree on a standard, it said. "We're committed and are working with the IETF as they work to create a standard" for instant messaging, said Tricia Primrose, an AOL spokeswoman. Instant messaging lets users chat in real time over the Internet and has gained popularity among teenagers and executives. The technology eventually could replace pagers as digital phones and hand-held computers increasingly connect to the Internet. The competition began when Microsoft introduced MSN Instant Messenger on its MSN network of Web sites, with the ability to link to AOL's Instant Messaging service. AOL complained that the link jeopardized its users' online security. The Dulles, Virginia-based company blocked access by MSN Instant Messenger, rovoking the rivals to create and remove connections between their instant-messaging services. Prodigy, the sixth-biggest Internet service provider, will offer an instant-messaging service that links to MSN Instant Messenger, Bennett said. So will PeopleLink, a Web site that caters to community groups. Tribal Voice Inc., a provider of instant-messaging software, is supporting Microsoft standards as well. Microsoft's publication of its instant-messaging protocol is aimed at speeding up a standard through the task force, which sets Internet-industry specifications, Microsoft's Bennett said. The next task force meeting is expected to be held by early October. AOL said it plans to attend. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft today also said it will team up with closely held eCharge Corp. to let users of its online service pay monthly subscription fees through phone bills instead of with credit cards. Shares of Microsoft rose 15/16 to 85 1/2 in midday trading. America Online shares rose 3 3/4 to 101 1/4. Copyright 1999, Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved.