<< You say that like AOL charges for AIM. It is a free service that they maintain the network for. If Trillian wants to use it let them cough up half the money to run the network. >>
Are you saying that because Internet Explorer is free, M$ does not benefit by owning the Browser market? Think about it, if any IM program besides AIM or ICQ gets big, AOL's dummies might figure out they dont need AOL to use the internet. Its simple. They want thier users to be surrounded by AOL, so that they dont stray. One small stray can lead to more straying, and it could mean that AOL users might one day figure out they dont need AOL to chat, use IM programs, check email, stocks, or surf websites. Keeping their users sheltered is to thier benefit. Look at what is has done for Microsoft.