Anil Dash thinks Walt Mossberg (and by extension me, since I agree with him) is being paranoid about Microsoft’s ability to make any word on any web page link to whatever they want. (See previous post.) But as they say, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
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Anil’s post makes sense until this: “It is quite possible, even probable, that, at some point in the future, various Microsoft properties with valuable information to offer (MSNBC news, Encarta maps, Expedia flight information, etc.) will provide recognizers and actions for people to install.” Why? Because we know what comes next. Microsoft installs recognizers and actions as defaults in Windows, forcing links on pages that may not want links (wouldn’t changing a web design without the author’s consent be copyright infringement?) and most likley making it impossible for a user to undo the defaults. Microsoft has no trust points left. They cannot be trusted. Did I mention they can’t be trusted? Stay away from my webpage, Microsoft. Don’t touch my links. Hands off, buster.