“Small Linux-oriented consultancy gives software giant
Microsoft a Christmas gift.“
“In keeping with the Christmas spirit, Michael Chaney, owner and
president of Michael Chaney Consulting Corporation of Nashville,
TN, today paid Microsoft’s outstanding bill for the “passport.com”
domain name to Network Solutions. The $35 invoice was dated October
2, 1999, and was currently unpaid, according to information
available at Network Solutions’ website. As of December 25, 1999,
Microsoft’s Hotmail service was unavailable, possibly because of
passport.com being unavailable. Hotmail uses Microsoft’s
passport.com service to authenticate users.”
“When asked if he expected reimbursement for the payment, Chaney
responded, “It’s a Christmas present from me to Microsoft. If they
don’t wish to accept a gift, that’s their choice, but I’m certainly
not going to expect reimbursement.”