I use AOL Instant Messenger (a licensed version through Lycos) as well as Yahoo! Messenger. A friend of mine (a web-newbie) has signed up with - ACK! - HotMail and the MSN Messenger service. He wants me to sign-up as well. However, I have reservations.
Knowing Windows & Bill Gates’ past (Past Performance Predicts Future Performance) and how he likes his programs to change all of your settings and screw up any of his rivals’ programs, e.g. - see Windows Media - if I install this MSN Messenger program, will AIM and YM continue to work? Will I have to jump through hoops to keep all of them operating?
Unfortunately, it would be easier for me to sign up with MSN than to have him register, download and install the others - like I said, he is a newbie. I truly dislike the idea of giving Gates all of my software business (perhaps, I’ve seen SNEAKERS one time too many!) but that is another story.
Thank you very nice for The Straight Dope!