Microsoft To Close Free Chat for Paid Service

From: Loren M. Baker <loren_at_webadvantage.net>
Date: Thu 25 Sep 2003 09:23:55 -0500

Hello,

A recent story has developed about Microsoft closing its free MSN chatrooms
in response to constant spamming and child predators. However, there is a
silver lining to this surprising announcement, at least a silver lining for
Microsoft: They will be offering a spam free moderated chat subscription
service!

 The move to pull the plug on free chat and transfer over to a paid
subscription service is a gutsy move by Microsoft but if successful, Yahoo
may also follow course in developing a clean, spam free, moderated, and yes.
paid for chat environment.

Such a move will also expand the successful paid content model used by Yahoo
and Microsoft along with other Internet companies with such services as
online dating, business and entertainment sites.

According to a recent study by the OPA and comScore consumer spending for
online content in the U.S. grew to $748 million in the first half of 2003,
an increase of 23% over the same period in 2002. With the success of paid
for online dating (which was once free on MSN, Yahoo and other sites) it
should not be a surprise that Microsoft has taken this bold step to simplify
its current spam filled and risqu€ chat rooms into a profitable business
addition which capitalizes on the web friendly and money spending youth.

Full story: http://www.webadvantage.net/tip_archive.cfm?tip_id=283&&a=1

Is this a wonderful hybrid of public relations and business? Saving the
innocent while making a pretty buck?

Is this the end to free chat and community as we know it?

Thanks,
Loren

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Received on Thu Sep 25 2003 - 09:23:55 CDT