[thelist] MS Passport = evil scourge of modern man?

[Peggy Daniels]

Hail thelist,

It seems like kind of a slow day, for me anyway.  I just read this article
<wrap>
http://joel.editthispage.com/stories/storyReader$139
</wrap>
from Joel on Software, and thought some of you might find it interesting.  
He discusses how Microsoft Passport may bring about an end to whatever 
privacy we have left on the web.  A quote:

"Am I the only one who is terrified about Microsoft Passport? It seems to me 
like a fairly blatant attempt to build the world's largest, richest consumer 
database, and then make fabulous profits mining it. It's a terrifying threat 
to everyone's personal privacy and it will make today's "cookies" seem 
positively tame by comparison." --Joel on Software

Is there any validity to this claim?  or is he an alarmist?  As one who is 
required to use all sorts of MS products every day (working for The Man, you 
know), I set up a hotmail account without a second thought.  An easy way to 
keep my personal mail out of my work inbox, or so I thought.  I'm curious to 
hear any reactions you all might have.  Meanwhile, I guess I should work on 
a flexible email plan that gets me off hotmail....

oh, and, in case this ends up being woefully off topic (although given the 
frequency of cookie discussions and rants, i think it is on topic), i'll 
think of a tip over lunch and post it later.

good day everyone,
Peggy Daniels
Web Designer, Aston IT Group North America
pkd at astonit-us.com  pegdaniels at hotmail.com

________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com