Not that there's anything wrong with Microsoft's Caller ID technology.

It's just that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is not willing to make every Internet user sign a Microsoft loyalty oath. Even if Caller ID worked a treat against spam (which it doesn't).

The IETF working group charged with creating an anti-spam standard decided Microsoft's possible patent application on Caller ID was unacceptable.

It was also concerned with possible incompatibilities with open source software.

Microsoft insinuated Caller ID into Meng Wong's proposal, SPF, and called the whole thing Sender ID. Wong allowed Microsoft in because he didn't want to have a fight between technologies before the IETC. He just wanted to solve the problem.

Now the problem remains unsolved, because Microsoft forced its way into a solution, then put an unacceptable price on that solution.

For its part, Microsoft sent out a press release I can only describe as Bush-like. No mention of how it caused the problem, just an attack on the IETC.

"There's broad support for Sender ID technology and we encourage others to support and implement this technology so that together we can do more to tackle spam."

Next time Microsoft makes any proposal before the IETF, on anything, the IETF ought to slam the door in the company's face.