Microsoft & email protocols

Few things have existed on the Internet for longer than email. Standard protocols such as SMTP and POP have been with us forever it seems, and even the relatively new IMAP is widely used. Email interoperability has been working pretty well for a long time.

Microsoft bought HotMail, who at the time were using BSD and were conforming to the expected email standards. Microsoft have changed that:

Hotmail vs Live accounts � FastMail.FM Weblog

So much for bleating about their desire for interoperability. Once again, Microsoft's actions speak much more loudly than their words.

So, what could we expect if Microsoft were allowed to buy Yahoo!? More warm words about interoperability no doubt, but much more chilling action pulling in exactly the opposite direction, if history is any judge.