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NOTICE: Microsoft has announced they will not include Smart Tags in the initial release of Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6. They have not, however, said that they are abandoning Smart Tags - just that they can't have it ready in time for the release in October (even though the feature is already present in Office XP which started shipping in June). Smart Tags are still scheduled to be included in a later release, however, so including the META tag now couldn't hurt. With the introduction of Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft is attempting to command stronger control over the entire Web. The tool they're using to begin the process of lording their version of the Web over people like you is a seemingly innocuous little feature called "Smart Tags." The idea is rather simple; now instead of Web site authors and developers deciding which words and phrases will become hyperlinks visitors can click on to get more information or visit other pages, Microsoft will start inserting links into pages where there were never intended to be links in the first place. Microsoft is going to decide where your links go. Smart Links, which are also part of Office XP, are turned off by default, but that doesn't mean they'll stay off. However, Web site authors can include a META tag on their pages (and it will have to appear on every page if you want every page protected from Redmond interference) to prevent Smart Tags from appearing. To protect your pages, cut and paste the following tag into the head of each Web page on your site(s): <meta name="MSSmartTagsPreventParsing" content="TRUE">
spread the word on disabling Smart Tags - send people back here to find out more about Microsoft's plans. 
Microsoft's Smart Tags page. More opposition to Smart Tags: Walt Mossberg in The Wall Street Journal Dan Gillmor in The San Jose Mercury News Connie Guglielmo in ZDNet
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