AOL quietly creating instant messaging monster

America Online Inc. may be further along in the integration of its two, different, instant messaging systems -- AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ -- than it has been letting on.

Though AOL hasn't yet publicized the capability, it now is possible for many users of ICQ, which AOL purchased two years ago, to sign on to AOL Instant Messenger and communicate with other ICQ users. The compatibility suggests that AOL may be on its way toward creating a world-wide instant messaging system with 138 million potential users. Full story. -- Wall Street Journal