1.	The irony is that last month Google came out with a new version of their toolbar -- it has a "Blog This" button which would be totally cool except that it only works with their blogging tool, even though there is a fantastic API supported by all the blogging tools, including Blogger, invented by Blogger that would have allowed users to use the toolbar with any blogging software they like, not just Google's. If they really believe their Don't Be Evil philosophy, if it's not just marketing hype, this must be changed.
2.	So now the next question: Will AOL's equivalent of the "Blog This" button in their IM user interface work with Radio, Movable Type, Manila or Blogger? Or, more likely, will it just work with their blogging software? For all we know AOL took the high road, that would be unique and very cool, and would set the bar high. But I'd bet against it. No one at their level of the industry is open unless the market forces them to be. (As far as I know AOL doesn't have a Don't Be Evil ethos.)
3.	BTW, of course all this provides Microsoft with justification for building their own gated weblog community. I wonder if Google's search engine will be able to get in there? (Of course not.)