MS adds their two bits to the credentialing of America

[Paul E. Robichaux]

I don't think that anti-nymity is a bias, it's just an unfortunate side
effect. Most consumers want single sign-on. Microsoft wants to give it to
them. If you don't like it, you can always get the same effect by using a nym
and those nifty prepaid Amex cards you can buy at 7-11.

-----Original Message-----
From: Roy M. Silvernail [mailto:roy at scytale.com] 
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2001 9:48 AM
To: Cypherpunks
Subject: MS adds their two bits to the credentialing of America


Interesting piece on CNET:

http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-201-6208902-0.html?tag=tp_pr

A telling highlight:

> Analysts said Microsoft views instant messaging--a key element of 
> Windows Messenger--as glue for its new Internet services such as 
> Passport and HailStorm. Such services promise to simplify Web surfing 
> by giving people a single online identity and providing secure access 
> to personal information such as credit card numbers with one click.

It's that "single online identity" part that chafes me.  A pretty clear 
anti-nymity bias, as MS forges ahead in tying ones online 
presence irrevocably to their meatspace identity.
--
Roy M. Silvernail
Proprietor, scytale.com
roy at scytale.com