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The dark side of MyServices, Part 2

By Dave Kearns
Network World Windows Networking Newsletter, 02/11/02

Last week, we looked at Microsoft's .Net MyServices and examined its potential security problems. I also said it might bring up some monetary concerns, so we'll talk about those today.

MyServices involves interaction between and among Microsoft, third-party vendors and end users. Service providers could also be part of the mix. If Redmond follows through on what some people are asking (opening up Passport services to independent identity providers), then you can add security providers to the mix as well.

Microsoft's current plan is to charge third-party application vendors, service providers - and, potentially, security providers - a license fee for use of the various .Net services needed for the MyServices initiative. Additionally, each of these parties will pay Microsoft a subscription (sometimes called " maintenance fee " ) to remain eligible to partake of the .Net services. All of these fees, of course, will be passed through to the end user.

But, as they say on late night TV infomercials, that's not all! Microsoft will also charge the end user a one-time setup (or license) fee, plus ongoing maintenance (or subscription) fees so that the user has the privilege of paying the third-party vendors to use their applications.

Once upon a time, telephone calls were paid for by the people doing the calling (unless they " reversed the charges " by calling collect). When " portable " or " mobile " phones (the forerunners of today's cellular and PCS phones) first appeared, the billing could be set up so that either the calling party or the called party was paying. Of course, with today's phones, BOTH the calling party and the called party are paying for the call!

Evidently, Microsoft saw this model and liked it. Use .Net MyServices and you (the user) pay Microsoft directly. But the service to which you authenticate also pays Microsoft (and passes the charge on to you). And the vendor who provides the applications you use also pays Microsoft (and passes the charge on to you). Then there's the company that wrote and distributed the application or service you're using - they also pay Microsoft and pass the costs on to you.

Each of these charges might be only a few cents per transaction. But a penny here, a nickel there and a quarter to the security provider add up fast, especially when you're paying these fees over again every day.