MSN Chat
MSN Chat was the Microsoft Service Network version of the popular IRCX IRC extensions by Microsoft accessable with a Windows Live ID.
Closure
On August 31, 2006 Microsoft announced that MSN Chat would no longer be provided. On October 16, 2006 MSN Chat shut down their servers at about 11:30 a.m. EST. The service closed because MSN no longer deemed it profitable to run as a subscription service and the decision to close it was said to be based on this fact.
The official announcement MSN Chat employees gave out was:
"Following a significant decline in new users and looking at the chat room industry on a whole, Microsoft determined that discontinuing this service would allow us to focus on providing an even better online experience to the broadest set of Microsoft communication services customers."
Notable MSN Chat Features
- Webchat Using MSN's Chat Control
- Chat Nicknames
- Profiles
- Chatroom Creation
- Emoticons
- Different Chat Listings
- User Created Rooms
- MSN Created Rooms
- MSN WebTV Chats
- Celebrity Chats
- Adult Chats, Moderate Content Chats, All Aged Chats
- Integration with MSN Groups
Differences Between MSN Chat and IRC/IRCX
The major differences between the two services can be seen in the chart below:
|
MSN Chat Server |
IRCX Server |
IRC Server | |
|
Any IRC client can connect |
Yes, see note 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Security |
Strong, see note 2 |
Strong |
Some |
|
Authentication |
GateKeeperPassport |
SASL authentication supported by protocol |
Ident, Host Lookup |
Note 1: Any client can connect if they answer the MSN Chat Server "challenge" questions correctly and are successfully authenticated.
Note 2: Unless a third-party application is used, the only way to connect to MSN Chat is through the MSN Chat website.
GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport
GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport are the only externally supported authentication methods for MSN Chat, and authentication is required. This information is stored in your .NET Passport (now Windows Live ID). These authentication methods are not publicly documented.
The difference between GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport is that one is for registered users (GateKeeperPassport), and requires Passport credentials. The other (GateKeeper) is for unregistered users. GateKeeper authentication does not require any Passport credentials, but it does require your client to understand their challenge/response algorithm. By authenticating via the GateKeeper protocol, you will not be able to use your registered MSN Chat nickname and you will appear in the chat room as Guest_nickname (or as >nickname to IRC clients). Using GateKeeperPassport authentication enables you to use your registered MSN Chat nickname and allows users in the room to see your MSN Chat profile.
NTLM
The other authentication method supported for MSN Chat is NTLM. It is used for staff to connect to the network and authenticate as Operators, whatever their level may be. They use a client called "MSN Chat Admin Client," which is a modified version of the Microsoft Chat IRCX client. It uses NTLM to hash their username and password and authenticate with the server, therefore logging in as Operators.
Third Party Applications
While using the official MSN Chat Control is the only officially supported way to have chat access with MSN Chat, there are other software programs that allow you to connect to MSN's Chat Servers. By using one of these clients to connect to MSN Chat, you are violating their Code of Conduct and Terms of Use. Since MSN Chat was a subscription service and most of the software programs out there allow you to connect without a subscription, you would have found yourself banned by an Admin, Sysop, or Guide (explained below).
User levels
This section covers MSN Chat, IRCX and IRC.
MSN Chat
MSN Chat has the following user levels (the MSN Chat client shows icons for each level):
MSN Staff Levels:
- Chat Administrator (Admin)
- Chat Manager
- Chat System Operator (Sysop)
- Chat Guide (Guide)
- Chat Host (Host)
MSN Member Levels:
- Channel Owner
- Channel Host
- Channel Member
- Channel Participant
- Channel Spectator
IRCX
IRCX servers typically have the following user levels:
- Chat Administrator
- Chat Global Operator
- Chat System Manager
- Chat System Operator
- Chat Local Operator
- Chat Help Operator
- Channel Owner
- Channel Host
- Channel Member
- Channel Spectator
IRC
IRC servers typically have the following user levels:
- Network Administrator
- Global Operator
- Local Operator
- Channel Operator
- Channel Voice
- Channel Member
MSN Chat/IRCX Modes
Since MSN Chat used the IRCX protocol, MSN Chat and IRCX share the same basic modes (both channel and user).
| Channel Modes | User Level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chat Administrator | Chat Manager | Chat Sysop | Chat Guide | Channel Owner | Channel Host | Channel Member | |
| +a (Staff only) | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| +b (Ban) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +d (Cloneable) | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| +e (Clone) Set by the server |
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| +f (Profanity Filter) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | On creation only | -- | -- |
| +g (Special Guest) MSN Only | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| +h (Hidden) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +i (Invite Only) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +k (Key Protected) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +l (User Limit) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +m (Moderated) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +n (No External Messages) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +o (Host) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +p (Private) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +q (Owner) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| +r (Registered) Behavior varies by server | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| +s (Secret) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +S (Subscriber) MSN Only | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| +t (Hosts Set Topic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +u (Knock Notify) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +v (Voiced) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +w (No Whispers) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +W (No Guest Whispers) MSN Only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| +x (Auditorium) Behavior varies by server | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- |
MSN Chat Clones
There are countless chat networks which use MSN's Chat Control (MSNChatX.ocx). These chat sites are usually referred to as "MSN Chat Clones."
MSN Chat Clones are generally small time chat networks, which often rely on IRC servers, or cracked versions of the IRCX servers, and are operated out of private homes. These non-professional quality servers generally make for a bumpy chat experience. The non-professional clone sites tend to be filled with numerous bugs, significant site downtime, and server lag issues.
Many of the MSN Chat Clones started up directly after MSN moved into subscription chat, and additional networks have continued to spring up since then. There is speculation that these chat networks may have pulled potential subscribers away from MSN Chat, ultimately bringing on the demise of MSN Subscription Chat Services.
- Brasil Chat
- Buzzen Chat
- CCN Chat
- Chat Aussie
- Chat United
- Myfhn Chat
- Oasiz Chat
- SCN Chat
- SparkPea Chat
- Phreik Chat
While the majority of MSN Clone Chat sites are free, most of them rely on Google ads to provide a small income. In addition, some of the clones have begun to charge, using the method of a forced donation, for a variety of services, such as registered rooms.
The use of the MSN Chat Control by these websites is illegal, although to date Microsoft have not filed charges. An investigation of the MSN Chat Clone sites is currently underway. To date, MSN has failed to adequately warn the public about this situation, and has not released a web based public notice regarding the clones. Despite this, the information can be verified by directly contacting MSN Support Services. The information is sent out by MSN Support Staff, to those who request it, via e-mail.
Pros and Cons of MSN Clones
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Non-Clone MSN Style Chat Alternatives
In addition to the vast array of small time MSN Clone Chats, there are also a growing number of MSN Style, Non-Clone Chat Network Alternatives. These MSN Style, Non-Clone Alternatives provide chat experiences similar to the old MSN Chat, but the Non-Clone MSN Style Chat Alternatives use their own Chat Control, instead of using the MSN Chat Control.
Koach.com is not an alternative to MSN Chat per se, but it has become a new home to former MSN Chat Administrators and Regulars.
References
MSN software and services | |
|---|---|
| Current services | |
| Rebranded | |
| Divested by Microsoft | |
| Discontinued | |
