[NBLUG/talk] Official Linux AIM Client

[ME]

Andru Luvisi said:
>
> http://www.aim.com/get_aim/linux/latest_linux.adp
>
> It doesn't appear to be Open Source, but it does mean that AOL considers
> Linux important.

AOL has publicly stated they wish to take on Microsoft. I *think* the
realm was for Internet access (MSN vs AOL) but there were statements about
possibly joining in the fight with their own Operating System.

Some people (noise on the sidelines) have thought that AOL's desire to
buid an AIM client (something they said they would do) is a sign that they
may build their own Linux Distro and encourage their Millions of
subscribers to switch, or even sell a complete package (hardware with
Linux pre-installed) by partnering with a major computer hardware vendor.
Of course, these should be treated as *rumors* until we get an official
statement from people at AOL.

Some OpenSource people are weary of such a change as AOL would likely not
go with the opensource system for what they add to a distro. Some are
positive in hopes that they will pay RH or another distro provider to
build a custom installer and distro and by communicating in the corporate
world, begin to understand the advantages of making it all open source.

Everything is not happy though...

Last I heard AOL was having problems. The AOL/Time-Warner deal that was
made in the dot-com boom has become worse for Time-Warner as their profits
are being used to help pay off AOL's losses in this saggging economy. Some
Time-Warner people are resentful of AOL and the execs that pushed the
merger. There was a perception that AOL was dragging Time-Warner down with
them. I don't know how well AOL is doing at present.

Disclaimer:
Much of the above includes guesses and the few facts are rather old.

-ME