IBM Sametime Gets Linux Nod, AOL Buys Userplane, Vista RC1 Approaches

There's news Monday from both ends of the instant messaging (IM) spectrum.

First, on the consumer side, America Online has bought Userplane, a provider of Web chat and IM services used by such customers as Honda, MySpace.com, and Marvel Comics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although presumably AOL will take on those customers.

LA-based Userplane offers its IM services either via a monthly license billable based on usage; a freebie where Userplane gets a piece of the ad action; or a hybrid where licensees can place Userplane ad inventory on their site and share the proceeds.

On the business side of the shop, IBM announced both Lotus Sametime server and client-side support for Linux at LinuxWorld Expo. The Linux desktop client for Sametime 7.5 is due this month. The server support is due in the first half of 2007.

Ironically, Lotus (now part of IBM) pioneered the business-class IM world with Sametime but has been out-hyped by Microsoft's Live Communications Server push.

AOL has been playing both sides of that power struggle, basically selling access to its huge consumer-oriented AIM universe to makers of business IM

VISTA RC1 Nears

A reliable tipster writes to say that Vista RC1 has been out and about at least inside of Microsoft's hallowed halls since last week. Barring major problems, the build should be out to MVPs later in August.