Here’s an extract of a classic letter to Google Talk from Leah the Program Manager of MSN Messenger.

But I love this about us, I love that we’re so different because it means that we have a lot to learn from each other. Maybe you will build up a robust feature set and I will improve my usability. Maybe your straightforward interface will bring new people into the IM market who have been intimidated out of it by the more complex clients. By using one another as a role model, we both have a chance to improve and become the best IM clients we can be, making all of our users that much better off (and our mothers proud!)

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