In the war to be the market leader in the instant messaging market over the Internet, American Online (AOL) has always been the leader and pioneer of it all. In the early 1990's, AOL was the first provider that gave its user a tool to communicate with each other over the Internet in real time. But it wasn't until November 1996, when a group of Israeli software developers launched a free instant messaging client called "I …showed first 75 words of 888 total…

…showed last 75 words of 888 total…the MSN/Yahoo launch. Perhaps further incentives are required to pull die-hard fans of Yahoo and MSN, aside from executing a company takeover. Reference: Delaney, Kevin J (2005, October 12). Microsoft, Yahoo Ink Instant-Message Pact. Retrieved October 12,2005, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB112907349731466067.html Linn, Alison (2005,October 12). Microsoft, Yahoo Reach IM Partnership; Microsoft, Yahoo to Make Instant-Messaging Programs Work Together; Partnership Could Threaten AOL. Retrieved October 13,2005, from http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051012/microsoft_yahoo.html?.v=11