Talk:MSN Messenger/Archive 1
Compatibility
MSN Messenger is an instant messaging client for Windows and Mac OS computers (officially, but can be run on virtually any computer with an Internet connection, see Third-party clients)
This information is wrong, there is a Web-based MSN Messenger client from Microsoft (http://webmessenger.msn.com/), thus MSN Messenger is available officially for any computer with an Internet connection.
- I would say that's a bit of an exaggeration - web messenger won't run on older machines that don't meet the specs for the minimum browser requirements. Say I've got a 286 running DOS and Lynx as my browser - would Web Messenger run on that? But I DO have ann internet connection!
MSN [web] Messenger
MSN Messenger refers to the application itself, not to the protocol. Therefore MSN Web Messenger is a different article.. a stub anyone?
how many users?
Is there information anywhere on how many people use MSN Messenger? I know that in the AIM article it said there was 195 million people using AIM, I'm curious if there is a number for MSN Messenger as well.
- I can't find the links I'm thinking of at the moment, but there's this, a little outdated, but specifies 120 million users each month. 9 July 2005 06:37 (UTC)
- I've read 150+ million users on Microsofts web site only some days ago. --Shreddy 14:43, 14 August 2005 (UTC)
When was first released
There has to be some information about when the first version was released. What about posting a change log of all the different versions. There is more information out there!
- MSN Messenger Service (original, formal name), version 1.0.0863 was released on July 22nd, 1999. Sources: Microsoft PressPass, Meeting by Wire 9 July 2005 06:01 (UTC)
Yahoo + MSN integrate userbase
I've made moderate changes to the competition section of this article based on the recent news development that Yahoo and MSN will introduce interoperability between the two messengers. Here are several links to improve the quality of my quick contribution:
http://messenger.yahoo.com/partners_msn.php;_ylt=AkW4EDOueQMPf_Wc.qKLUkNwMMIF http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2143773/yahoo-msn-marry-messengers
Criticism and NPOV
The article states: "Some believe that this is a way of forcing Macintosh users to use Windows, so they may use the complete MSN Messenger."
I find it hard to believe that a significant number of Macintosh users believe that Microsoft intends to force an OS switch by merely omitting some features in their IM client. Conversely one might conclude that Apple's iChat AV is a way of forcing Windows users to use Mac OS X becaues it supports multi-person audio and video conferencing and does not offer a Windows client.
By the same argument, Microsoft is also trying to force Windows users to use Windows by offering similarly "limited, featureless" IM support to users of their Windows Messenger client which is included in Windows. The paragraph mentions lacking webcam and ink support which are lacking in Windows Messenger.
In either case, it's a baseless conspiracy theory and has no place in a neutral encyclopedia article (NPOV policy). Considering these facts, the criticism does not seem worthy of mention in the article.
One way around this might be to make a tabular feature comparison between the various versions, beginning with comparisons of the stand alone client, Mac client, and Webmessenger client.
Perhaps something similar to the one found here: Comparison of instant messengers
-- N okla 21:31, 22 October 2005 (UTC)
Messenger 7.5 and Passport
Does anyone have more info on this line in the document?
"Introduced a new sign-in method, dropping the built in Passport creditentials system in Windows XP"'
My first impression was that MSN Messenger 7.5 was dropping Passport, but a look at the app indicates otherwise. I think the article needs some clarification in this regard.
-- N okla 22:59, 24 October 2005 (UTC)
- That does sound a bit off. Previously it used the creditentials system is Windows XP, which has a special thing for Passport accounts ('Manage my network password' in User Accounts). Here's an explanation from a program manager: New Login UI and Platform: The Identity Services team (passport) has created a client library called the Identity Client Run Time Library (or IDCRL for short). It provides a richer programming model and easier integration of passport authentication services into messenger. In other words: Improved Login functionality including reliability, auto-complete in the login address well; ability to save login information. Duphus 01:33, 25 October 2005 (UTC)
- Since "dropping the built-in Passport credentials" seems misleading, I'm changing it to this: "Introduced an updated Passport creditentials system." -- N okla 02:52, 25 October 2005 (UTC)
Malware
Shouldn't some mention be made of the insipid and various MSN worms that mimic someone messaging you and invite you to download the worm in the guise of a sent-file? Those used to be teh suck.
- I supposed there could be a section explaining it is a frequent target, new ones pop up quite regulary, go ahead and add it if you want. Duphus 08:03, 2 November 2005 (UTC)
Name Change
Microsoft has recently announced MSN is going to be split away from the rest of their online services, and that MSN Messenger will be merged with Windows Messenger, to be renamed Windows Live Messenger. Can anyone update the article for this change?
Some resources:
Live.com: http://ideas.live.com/mainpage.aspx
Announcement of MSN's name change: http://spaces.msn.com/members/MessengerSays/
- I think the article should remain, but when the rebrand has gone through (Windows Live Messenger is released), it should be modified to state that it is now defunct (or a more appropriate word) and has a new name, articles for Windows Live and Windows Live Messenger have already been created.
- I don't think the way you put it is very accurate, Windows Messenger doesn't really have anything to do with this. This press release is a good source for info. Duphus 08:06, 2 November 2005 (UTC)
Criticism
The URL pointing to the online competition does not exist anymore. Line deleted.
.php blocking?
The whole "MSN Messenger blocks PHP webhosts!" thing seems a bit far-fetched and probably a falsified flame made by a troll. I vote for the removal of the section. --W3bbo
- Most of the text there seems POV, but it is correct it blocks text containing download.php and gallery.php. No announcement has been made regarding this, but I personally believe it is an effort to stop worms. Such messages may contain: "OMG LOOK FUNNERZ PIC: http://www.messengerspam.com/gallery.php?user@hotmail.com", which downloads the worm EXE for the user to run. I suggest a rewrite of that bit. Duphus 08:04, 10 December 2005 (UTC)
- I made a thread on MSDN's Channel9 about this "php blockage" and it seems that this is real. I notice that someone has removed the section on it, perhaps it needs to be restored (after all, it is pretty important that MSN is Censoring MSN Messenger without telling us!). The thread and evidence is available here: http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=144437 W3bbo 02:03, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
- I have a feeling there actually were worms containing download.php and gallery.php, but I can't find any community news coverage (there usually is). In which case what they're doing is quite valid: stopping worm prorogation. The blocking did receive coverage when it was discovered and the only point the anti-PHP nonsense popped up was by crackpot speculators trying to make news "better", even as the text said, it was rumours. Perhaps the article could have a section on its IM worms, it is quite a problem. Duphus 04:06, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
- Also just remembered that when either of the two phrases are received by the server, the IM session/connection is dropped. So, if there are more than two people in the conversation, everyone is kicked out. This is also another possible reason why they've tried to keep it low profile, since anyone can end a multi-party conversation. Another one, the text ".pif" and ".scr" does the same thing, .pif couldn't get more obvious that it is to stop worms. Duphus 04:16, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
removed
"and see the new version, rather than downloading and installing the full program.and it had stuff in it like colors and everthing i dont no tho..."
I just removed the above from 1.11 MSN Messenger QFE Patch. Can someone who is involved in this article add any information from it back into the article. The bellman 09:08, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
- "and see the new version, rather than downloading and installing the full program" is supposed to be there with another piece, I've restored it... think it was just a random deletion by vandal. Duphus 12:08, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
IE6 required?
I have tried to install MSN Messenger 7.0 and then uninstall IE6 in my Windows 2000, and the MSN Messenger still works. So, why they have been specified to require IE6 as a prerequisite? --Hello World! 02:10, 7 December 2005 (UTC)
- I don't think it heavily relys on it. But off the top of my head one of the things it needs IE6 for is the message history, does it render message history for a user in the normal way? Duphus 08:01, 10 December 2005 (UTC)
- Do you mean the message history? I have noticed that they are XML files, so they can be viewed by any XML parsers or XML editors. --Hello World! 02:09, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
- I think it's the XSL styling pre-IE6 can't handle properly. What do you mean by uninstalling IE6? Switching to 5.5 or removing it completely? If the latter, then I think the browser control is still there, which is used when you right click > View Message History (or something). Duphus 04:08, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
- Do you mean the message history? I have noticed that they are XML files, so they can be viewed by any XML parsers or XML editors. --Hello World! 02:09, 11 December 2005 (UTC)