WaPo:

"AOL Time Warner Inc. is moving aggressively to take advantage of Microsoft Corp.'s tenuous legal standing, seeking deals with computer makers to target consumers with subtle and direct marketing pitches that would help AOL grab more control of the computer desktop."

AOL is now competing with Microsoft to take control and ownership back from the consumer, with a plan that involves pop-ups and nag messages.

I build my PCs so I can get the components I want (usually that means more power and balance for the same price), and nobody gets to put their garbage on my hard drive (until AOL figures it's OK to hack your box to send you more marketing messages!).

07/31/01 update: Microsoft will require MSN icon.