Yahoo, Microsoft in IM deal?

"Microsoft and Yahoo are close to a pact that would allow users of their respective instant messaging services to exchange messages with one another"

This is music to my ears. I've been asking for IM interoperability for years and years. I look forward to hearing the details of the deal.

In 2003 Yahoo indicated that interop might be part of a premium, paid, service. Needless to say it would be a huge misstake to go down that route today. Let's wait and see what they say, the two company's press conference should have started by now.