In case, for some reason, you haven’t heard: Microsoft paid AOL a bunch of money to forget about the “past” (i.e., Netscape) and embrace the “future” (i.e., Microsoft).

This news, combined with confirmation of the rumour about the death of IE, have created some powerful tremors throughout the Web design community. I’m not sure what to make of it yet, but it seems all Netscape’s fears about Microsoft are coming true.

Some people have thought this through a bit more, including: Zeldman; Joel (on Software); the folks at web-graphics and Slashdot; and even The Globe and Mail’s Matthew Ingram.