Did AOL Shoot The Messenger?

from the strategic-mistakes dept

We’ve argued here before about whether or not AOL’s decision not to allow cross communication between IM clients was a mistake. For most of the past two years, people have gone back and forth, but for the most part they felt that AIM was doing okay, and AOL had made the right decision. Now, it’s beginning to look like a mistake. Microsoft is definitely gaining on them (a MS sponsored report says they have more users than AIM). Of course, the one thing the article doesn’t point out is that if AIM had let MSN Messenger communicate with it from the beginning, the situation might be even worse for AOL right now.


Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...