IM Networks Uphold Isolation: Death to Trillian
For what must be years now, I have avidly used and recommended Trillian as my IM client of choice. For anyone that does not know, Trillian is a meta-chat client that provided many interesting and useful functions. For the most part, users were attracted since it allows a single client that connects to all of the major chat systems. Other key features included secure communications between Trillian users and automatic chat logging.
Unfortunately, the infighting that exists between the major IM clients has made remaining committed to Trillian tedious at times. Originally, there were many instances where AIM, MSN, and Yahoo! would intentionally alter their connection protocols to block Trillian (and sometimes other meta-chat tools).
Quite some time ago, MSN officially shut the door and forced most users to return to the Microsoft client to connect to their Messenger accounts. The latest blow came today as Yahoo! drops the hammer and shut out Trillian once again.
Beginning at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, Yahoo changed its instant messaging language to prevent third-party services, such as Trillian, from accessing its service. Like previous statements, the company said the block is meant as a pre-emptive measure against spammers from its Yahoo Messenger service.
"Spammers are being aided by entities that are abusing our systems, where they effortlessly gain knowledge of pathways and back-alley access to send spam," Yahoo spokeswoman Mary Osako said.
Of course, there are some issues that really are important to note here:
Money Maintains Separation - SPAM IM (SPIM), as they call it, is a very real force and will only seek opportunities to expand its reach in the long-term, that's not to be disputed. However, the underbelly of Yahoo's explanation leaves room for one other option - money. Yahoo's Messenger not only requires a login process that yields advertising dollars, it also yields ad revenue from other ads placed through the IM process. Subverting the IM system tapers their revenue stream.
Though Microsoft did not give in directly because of ads, they did cite a license was going to have to be paid before Trillian could connect again. At least that sounds like an honest answer.
Jabber Growth Stalled? - I'm not a diehard user of Jabber, though I do believe in the both the promise and technology behind it. The major IM players are so well entrenched that it's very difficult to ease people off of them. IM Gateways provided a means for bridging those users and getting to work with a Jabber-based solution without sacrificing their familiar networks. If the gateways disappear, will Jabber be able to grow to the size of even the smallest major player?
I should note that one interesting way to get some numbers, would be to auto-register/enable existing social networks with Jabber servers/systems (like Gush). Imagine getting 7 million Friendster users all tied into a Jabber network - that's some size.
ZeroConf to Rise? - Systems like Rendezvous, Pocketster (formerly Pocket Rendezvous), and the like (thanks Pete) provide what are known as ZeroConf (Zero Configuration) networking. Using this, for example, Apple users are able to chat with each other directly, not requiring centralized networks. Mobile Social Networking Apps are starting to evolve that utilize networks of this nature to enable chat. It won't assist with the relationships that span georgaphy, but it may become a viable substitute in some circumstances.