AOL vs. Trillian: The Battle for Choice

[BigBlueBall News]

Jeff Hester

February 19, 2002

Jeff Hester

In a fashion reminiscent of the story of David and Goliath, instant messaging giant AOL has been battling the little guys at Cerulean Studio, trying to block their Trillian instant messaging program from connecting to AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users. Is AOL right to block Trillian? It Trillian nothing more than a parasitic messenger, running on top of other companies�Œ messaging
networks?

AOL argues that by using the user�Œs AIM screen name and password, it poses a security risk. AOL supporters further point out that the servers that manage online status and allow users to connect and chat are owned and maintained by AOL. Presumably this excuses AOL from forcing users to access their instant messaging network using AIM. But is this argument valid? I�Œd like to compare instant messaging technology with another, even more popular Internet
technology: email.

My grandmother uses AOL as her Internet provider. It�Œs simple and easy enough for her to get around. She is the target demographic for AOL. I do not use AOL as my Internet provider. I prefer not to be constrained by their proprietary connection software or their user interface.

When I write an email to my grandmother, am I required to use an AOL account? Thankfully, no. Do I need to use a special AOL email program designed for sending and receiving emails to-and-from AOL members? Again, thankfully, no. I can choose any email client I�Œd like, from Netscape, Opera, Eudora, Outlook Express, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail... the list is endless but the point is, I get to choose my email software.

Once I send that email to grandma, it travels through the Internet where it lands, at least temporarily, on an AOL mail server. This is a server that it wholly owned and maintained by AOL. I do not pay for the privilege of sending or storing my email to grandma on AOL�Œs mail server. I do not have to view AOL advertising, or endure any sort of punishment for using their resources. And email account for much more web traffic in volume that instant messages.

Could AOL block email from outside of their network? They can and they have! If you could travel back in time to the early �Œ90s, you might recall that the entire AOL network was proprietary. There was no connection allowing you to browse the Internet, nor the facility for exchanging email with people who weren�Œt also AOL members.

First email, now instant messaging

So you see how my email to grandma, composed in Outlook Express, is sent to the AOL network where it sits on their mail server waiting for her to login and read it. Now I want to send her an instant message. I use Trillian to detect that she is online with AOL Messenger (the proprietary instant messenger built-in to AOL software). I compose a message and send it. I travels from my computer, through the Internet, negotiates a connection with grandma through AOL�Œs instant messaging servers, and--a few moments later--she hears the sweet "ding" announcing the arrival of my instant message.

Just like the email I sent her earlier, this also uses AOL�Œs resources (their network and servers). Also like the email example, I used non-AOL software to compose and send my message.

Instant messaging is a service AOL provides it�Œs subscribers. But instant messaging is also a two-way street (or it should be). That is the ultimate goal of interoperability. A common language or protocol that all instant messaging programs "speak." Companies running their own IM networks will always be able to provide enhanced features not available if you use an interoperable client, and that will be their differentiator. If you really want IMVironments, you�Œll use Yahoo! Messenger. If you can�Œt live without .NET Alerts, you�Œll use MSN Messenger. If you really just want to use the more common features across multiple IM networks, you�Œll use
Trillian, Odigo or Jabber. You get the picture. A free and open market where companies compete for your business.

Interestingly, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agrees that AOL should be required to make their instant messenger work with other messengers.
AOL has announced that they are currently developing interoperability with IBM
(Lotus Sametime) and Sun. Both of these are niche players in the IM market.

Unfortunately, these half-hearted efforts seem to be only aimed at appeasing
the SEC while ultimately delaying true interoperability as long as possible.

So what now?

Well, if you use Trillian, show your support. Visit their site and send them
a contribution. Encourage your friends on AOL to switch to another Internet
service provider. Show your support with your pocket book, your words and your
clicks. Will David defeat Goliath? Stay tuned.

More News on AOL�Œs Battle With Trillian

• The official
  Trillian web
  site


• The
  
  Unofficial Trillian Update Page


• 
  AOL Spikes Trillian Users
  - PCWorld.com


• 
  
  Why AOL is right to turn away a million Trillians
  - ZDNet


• 
  
  AOL Acting Like Microsoft - Blocks Access To AIM
  For Trillian Users - Plastic

As always, be sure to share your opinion in
the
BigBlueBall discussion forums.