“America Online apparently doesn’t want to be buddies with
AT&T WorldNet. The Dulles, Va., ISP is blocking instant
messaging traffic between users of its popular Instant Messenger
software and the latest version of AT&T’s I M Here Service,
which was launched Wednesday.”
“The flap between AOL and AT&T could be a step backward for
instant messaging standardization efforts, according to industry
observers who say interoperability is required for corporations to
adopt the application on a widespread basis….”
“We used the protocols and source code that was published on
AOL’s Web site,” said Beth Nagengast, instant messaging product
manager at Tribal Voice. “We looked at the documentation on the Web
site, and we believe we are in full compliance. We tried to contact
AOL [about our product plans], but they did not return any of our
phone calls or e-mails.“