Dear Windows-Help.NET Subscriber,
When Microsoft finally released it's entry into the messenger world, it decided to tap into AOL's AIM user base, giving MSN messenger users the ability to send messages to AOL AIM users, and import their "buddy" lists.
This move was not appreciated by AOL, who blocked access from MSN Messenger Services (MSN MS). Microsoft was not to be outdone, and released a new build of MSN MS, only for the cycle to be repeated.... and repeated... and ... well you get the idea.
Then Microsoft had an idea: they called for an open standard to be set-up! Remember, we're talking about a company which is over-protective of their Windows code! In fact, it is well known that Microsoft only asks for an open standard in areas where it doesn't hold a dominant position.
This all makes perfect (business) sense, when you don't hold the dominant position you want to gain access, and once you have this position you try to protect it. The idea here is to get a foothold in the world of instant messengers, trying to lure users from AOL AIM to it's own messenger service.
Yahoo! tried to do the same thing at the time, when it released its messenger that could also connect to AOL's AIM users, but they quickly lost interest in the cat-and-mouse game of getting blocked by AOL, and decided not to update their messenger to work around AOL's block(s).
Although it seems that AOL is winning the battle at the moment, it's likely they will lose the war, as industry pressure is mounting to work towards a standard. How quickly a standard will come about is a big question mark, as AOL (with their 20:1 advantage in this field) has formed their own advisory committee, which is composed of Microsoft adversaries from such companies as Apple Computer Inc., Novell Inc., RealNetworks Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc.
A few weeks ago I wrote you that we were in the process of setting up a dedicated server. In fact, we are still busy with that. We had a change of IPP (Internet Presence Provider) in between, and now hope to complete the move before the end of August. If the Web site seems slow, please be patient, we're working on it!
InfiniSource adds application to its software line
FileSplit
Split Large Files into smaller parts
FileSplit is a fast, easy way to split large files into smaller pieces. These smaller files can then be copied onto floppy diskettes or transferred by email. It can be run normally, and in addition it attaches itself to the Explorer right-click mouse menu to let you select and split or merge files. Operation is simple: Select the file, the destination folder for the segments, and the size of the segments. A batch file, created at the same time, can be used to reassemble the pieces.
FileSplit is handy for transferring large files from one machine to another, if you don't have a network and must rely on floppies, or for creating smaller files for transfer over a modem. This is also very useful for transferring files by email... transferring files in several smaller pieces that won't tie up your computer for long periods of time. Filesplit insures file integrity by calculating the CRC signature to detect file corruption when merging files and preserves all file information including file time, date, and attributes. Already an 'Editor's Pick' on several top shareware sites, this award-winning
utility is the ultimate choice for splitting files. It's fast, small, and very easy to use.
Features:
- Fast, small, and very easy to use
- File splitting and merging from the Explorer shortcut menu
- Batch file generation for users who don't own FileSplit
- Preserves all file information including file time, date, and attributes
- Calculates CRC signature to detect file corruption when merging files
- Can split multiple files in one operation
FilSplit was developed by Partridge Software. You can download a free evaluation from their Web site.
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07 Aug. 1999, Vol 2 No. 32
