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 Microsoft Messenger for Mac 8 internal beta leaked, Intel-only?
Microsoft Messenger for Mac 8 internal beta leaked, Intel-only?

dwergs says ( 20 Mar 2009 ):

 

An internal beta-version of Microsoft Messenger for Mac 8 has been leaked to the web this week, offering inquisitive users a sneak peek at the long-promised audio/video features. The internal build, which carries number 8.0.0.090205 Beta, is a very early and unstable version with lots of shortcomings, so installation is not really recommended. For instance, it only connects to Windows Live Messenger 9 users and it doesn't save any settings. The interface hasn't changed much, except for the new Call and Video buttons and the addition of dock notifications.

Our longtime Mac-informer, RJT, has let us know that this beta-version appears to be Intel-only: "A lot of Mac users out there still using PowerPC machines (some not even 3 years old) will be left out when the new version is launched." This limitation is yet to be confirmed by the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft.

>> Check out some screenshots of the leaked Messenger for Mac 8 Beta-build.



 DNN Live Messenger = DotNetNuke + Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit
DNN Live Messenger = DotNetNuke + Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit

dwergs says ( 20 Mar 2009 ):

 

DNN Live Messenger for DotNetNukeDotNetNuke is, and I quote Wikipedia, "an open source web application framework written in VB.NET for the ASP.NET framework". It can be used to create and manage intranet, extranet and web sites.

Hot on the heels of the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit release at MIX09 this week, we already have a DotNetNuke module to our disposal which instantly integrates the Windows Live Messenger Web Bar and enables visitors to use Messenger straight from the DNN website.

Requirements:
- DotNetNuke 5.0+
- Asp.Net 3.5
- Windows Live Services registration (read here how to obtain an Application ID).

The developer notes that "future releases will focus on expanding this integration to provide richer and more varied options."

>> Visit the DNN Live Messenger project page at CodePlex.

[Thanks for the tip, Inky!]



 Meet the Windows Live Messenger MVPs
Meet the Windows Live Messenger MVPs

dwergs says ( 18 Mar 2009 ):

 

Last week, Microsoft invited their Most Valuable Professionals from all around the world to the Microsoft Campus for the annual MVP Summit. MVPs are "exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who are awarded for voluntarily sharing their high quality, real world expertise in offline and online technical communities."

During the Summit, Lonn, Sameer and Marisol from the Windows Live Messenger team made this short video introducing three of their MVPs and asked them about their favorite features, experiences and expectations. Meet Kurt Robaer (aka Cookie), Jonathan Kay (aka Trekie or MessengerGeek) and Chris Weeïnk (ZoRoNaX, Windows Live Platform MVP):



 Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit docs and demo
Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit docs and demo

dwergs says ( 18 Mar 2009 ):

 

The new Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit is to be announced later today at MIX09, but a simple Google search revealed some interesting bits already.

Here's the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit content you can find in the Windows Live Developer Center documentation on MSDN.
- Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit Overview
- What's New in the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit
- Getting Started with the Windows Live Messenger Toolkit
- Windows Live Messenger UI Controls
- Windows Live Messenger Library
- Developing with the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit
- Samples
- Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit Application Design Guidelines
- Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit Reference
- Other APIs
- Appendix A: Supported Languages

Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit Getting Started Tour
"James Senior explains the basic components of the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit including UI Controls, Web Bar and why your web site needs it."
>> Watch this video.



What the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit Adds to your site (aka the shopping channel commercial)
"Angus outlines how to turn your site into a social hub using the Windows Live Messenger Toolkit by making your site a place where users feel at home, can socialize, express themselves and invite their friends."
>>Watch this video.



 3's INQ1 phone gets Windows Live Messenger update
3's INQ1 phone gets Windows Live Messenger update

dwergs says ( 18 Mar 2009 ):

 

The INQ1 is a mobile phone optimized for social networking, released a few months ago by 3. The HSDPA handset seamlessly integrates Skype, Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and Last.fm as well as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo!. It allows multi-tasking, importing RSS feeds and comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera. I guess the only downsides are the lack of a touchscreen and WiFi-support.

An over-the-air update for the INQ1 has been released, which improves the Windows Live Messenger application on the phone, increasing its stability. The update will automatically be installed when logging into Windows Live Messenger. Even if you're not using the application, it's worth doing the update because it also improves battery life up to 50% depending on the type of use.

>> Read reviews of the INQ1 by The Guardian and TechRadar.

>> Get the INQ1 for cheap.



 Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit sessions at MIX09
Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit sessions at MIX09

dwergs says ( 17 Mar 2009 ):

 

Windows Live Messenger sessions at Mix09For the fourth year, Microsoft is hosting the MIX conference for web developers and designers. From March 18th till the 20th in The Venetian, Las Vegas, there will be over a hundred sessions about Microsoft technologies and related topics. Some sessions that caught my ever-itching Messenger eye:

<3 the New Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit for Social Websites MIX09-T26F
Wednesday March 18 |11:30 AM-12:45 PM | San Polo 3501
By: Steve Gordon, Keiji Kanazawa
"See how to add IM to a site with the Windows Live Messenger Library and UI Controls, and how to build new relationships around content with Messenger social capabilities. Also hear how top sites and marketers are using the social connections of Windows Live users to grow and build brand loyalty."

A Shot of Windows Live Messenger and a Pint of Microsoft Silverlight MIX09-T84M
Thursday March 19 |10:55 AM-11:15 AM | San Polo 3401
By: Jordan Snyder
"Learn how to add instant stickiness and drive new users to a Web site while uncovering the hidden social network within. Hear how Effective UI quickly and easily added these capabilities to its customers' existing Microsoft Silverlight projects using the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit."

Five Killer Scenarios for the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit MIX09-T75M
Thursday March 19 |11:20 AM-11:40 AM | San Polo 3401
By: Chris Parker"
"Come learn how to make your site more engaging with the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit."

What happens in Vegas, does not stay in Vegas. We sent out our spies ;)



 Who's clicking your Personal Status Message links?
Who's clicking your Personal Status Message links?

dwergs says ( 16 Mar 2009 ):

 

We all know that in the most recent versions of Windows Live Messenger any well-formatted URL you paste into the Personal Status Message field automatically becomes a clickable hyperlink. Same goes for web addresses in your display name. You can even put multiple links in those fields, and optionally add a description of the link(s) in plain text. Your curious contacts will then click these links and sometimes they'll give you feedback over IM, but most of the time they'll just click, visit the destination URL and remain quiet.

I can imagine that in some cases, you would like to know about these "secret" visitors. You may want to know just how popular your PSM links really are, and where in the world the clicks are coming from.

Bit.ly URL shortener for use in Personal Status MessagesEnter Bit.ly, one of the URL shortening services that comes with statistics on top. All you need to do is register at http://bit.ly for free and start shortening the URL(s) you want to put in your Personal Status Message or nickname. If you want the shortened URL to be descriptive by itself, you can use "Optional Custom Name" which will make the link look like eg. http://bit.ly/messenger. Child's play!

Your Bit.ly homepage will keep track of all the online destinations you've shortened, complete with links to their statistics such as number of clicks, the geographical location of the clicker and the source of the click (if you use it on Windows Live Messenger only, all clicks will be placed in the Direct Traffic category). If you want to see the statistics for a certain URL straight away, just add a + sign to the end of the shortened URL (http://bit.ly/messenger+) and hit it with your browser. You can also find out how many hits in total the particular URL has received from all Bit.ly users combined.

Start tracking those personal status message clicks!

>> Register at Bit.ly
>> Read the Bit.ly FAQ.

PS: Sorry for the lack of posts. Been travelling!



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