“The rhetoric behind the technological control over instant
messaging is beginning to resemble campaign speeches on family
values in an election year–and is inspiring similar
cynicism.”
“While open standards still play an important role in
disciplining Internet software development, public discussion of
standards has largely evolved–or degenerated–into a corporate
tool, where a firm can maneuver itself on either side of an issue
depending on its position in a particular market.
It boils down to this: If your company is a leader in its field,
an open standard is not in your best interest because it could
allow others to get a piece of the business. If your company is not
a leader, this is exactly why you want to level the field.”