Web Quotations | Page 3

Most people don't understand what's happening. They understand that that they're having a relationship with a Web site they go to, but they don't necessarily understand that there is another company that is sending information down to them and then following them from site to site and collecting information across multiple sites.

Most other companies in this space use a basic Web server model where you bring up a Web page and it simply refreshes to reflect a change in status. From a software standpoint, that's slower and much less graceful than using Web Services.

What we're concerned about is providing a Web site for students that's a reflection of everyday student life. If that means at times they're engaging in behavior that some people don't like, well that's an issue that can be talked about.

There are plenty of trusted Internet brand names, but if you're new to the Web you may not know them. Ask friends where they go and who they buy from. When you use a search engine, you'll see some mom and pop shops that may be totally trustworthy, but you don't know. If you don't have the luxury of a recommendation, stick with a brand name that you're familiar with outside of the Web.

There are more choices for consumers. You see what's happening in the broadcast area. TV is becoming more fragmented and I do believe that will happen on the Web with more niche type sites and community type sites.

There are some real competitive issues going on, and (Microsoft) needs to respond, not just with products and offerings for consumers but also (with) compelling products and APIs for developers, ... There's a recognition that people are embracing the Web as a platform, and they (Microsoft) want to be there as well.

The Open AIM program will provide online businesses, Web sites and third-party developers everywhere with direct access to one of the largest and most active online communities in the world. We are extremely excited to see the creative new ideas that developers will bring to the table. Together, we will usher in a new era in real time communications services, offering consumers increased choice and making it easier than ever to connect and communicate online.

Navigation is important, but the single biggest issue is prodding Web developers into learning how to make standards-compliant sites. They've quite simply been doing it wrong all along.

On other Web sites you pay for this service. We're giving it away for free because we have a business model layered on top of it.

One of the biggest changes we're seeing is more and more consumers are accessing the Internet from high-speed connections. Retailers are able to have richer and more robust features on the Web site.