July 14, 2003
Portability
The ability for a user to import/export data from one service to another is certainly a portability issue. But that portability, or lack thereof, has been the reason why users HATE many current environments. They're imprisoned within proprietary services that give them no choice in making a move. Here, the portability will simply mean the services will need to focus on satisfying user sensibilities. Just because the users /could/ move doesn't mean they will. Keep them happy and they'll remain users. This simply raises the performance bar on competition. Users that want better services will seek them, price will not remain the sole factor. Look no further than the continued prosperity behind AOL. They fulfill the needs of their user population at a price it's willing to pay.
