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 Fresh & New: Wear your display picture!
Fresh & New: Wear your display picture!

dwergs says ( 24 Jul 2004 ):

 

Wouldn't it be cool to have a display picture on MSN Messenger all the time and then actually WEAR your display picture when you meet your friends and other contacts in real life? Express your online identity outside the IM box and use a display picture that you can also have on your clothes. They cost around $16-18 each and can be shipped to most countries. The display pics are, just like everything else on Mess.be, FREE.


We at Mess.be have teamed up with T-Shirt Hell and Split Reason to offer you over 60 display pictures that you can also buy on a t-shirt (or hoodie, ringer tee, long sleeve, jersey, baby doll, spaghetti strap or tank top depending on the item).

>> Start wearing your display pictures!



 Added: MessengerDiscovery 1.3.1
Added: MessengerDiscovery 1.3.1

dwergs says ( 23 Jul 2004 ):

 

MessengerDiscovery (formerly known as project Lithium) is a multi-functional MSN Messenger addon by effekt. It comes with plenty of features, like:

- Winamp nicknames;
- Sign in with any status;
- Invisible talking;
- Contact alerts eg. when opening/closing window;
- Fake application invite;
- Autoreply;
- Block detection;
- Custom contact fonts;
- Disable "User Is Typing" Message;
- Support for status display pictures;
- Mass display picture adder;
- And much, MUCH more.

A couple of bugs still need to be fixed, but effekt is constantly improving his powerful addon. A 2.0 version is in the making as well. If you ask me, this one's a keeper!

>> Download MessengerDiscovery.

[Also reported by: bojomojo & Jaymach Ral'Tir]



 MSN Messenger vulnerable to Mozilla flaw
MSN Messenger vulnerable to Mozilla flaw

dwergs says ( 22 Jul 2004 ):

 

This news is a bit old, but I didn't want to hold it from you. Messenger and Microsoft Word both support a feature that could give remote users access to functions that could be used launch applications on Windows computers, according to an alert from Secunia, which tracks software vulnerabilities. A Microsoft spokeswoman said the company is investigating the reports, but is not aware of any attacks using the vulnerabilities.

The applications both fail to restrict access to the "shell:" URI (Universal Resource Identifier), a feature that allows Windows users or software applications to launch programs associated with specific file extensions. Malicious hackers could launch associated programs using links embedded in Word documents or instant messages sent using MSN. However, the vulnerability does not allow attackers to pass instructions to the programs, which would allow more sophisticated attacks, Secunia said.

If necessary, Microsoft could issue a fix for the MSN Messenger and Word flaws through its monthly software update process or an emergency patch, the company spokeswoman said. The Redmond, Washington, software company expressed displeasure at the release of information on the product vulnerabilities.

[Source: InfoWorld]



 Happy Birthday MSN Messenger!!!
Happy Birthday MSN Messenger!!!

dwergs says ( 22 Jul 2004 ):

 

Five years ago, on July 22nd in 1999 MSN Messenger v1.0 (1.0.0863 to be precise) saw its first daylight (don't take that literally as it was opened to the public at midnight). Microsoft's answer to America Online's popular AIM and ICQ was announced exactly one year earlier, in 1998, after which an extensive betatesting period started (in August 1998). The company said difficulties in integrating Hotmail had caused a holdup, but analysts blamed the one year delay on confusion within Microsoft's management ranks and its ever-changing content strategy.

The most talked about features in MSN Messenger 1.0 were the "user is typing" message, the integration with many Microsoft communication tools like Internet Explorer, Outlook, Hotmail & Netmeeting, and the fact that MSN accounts were able to talk to AIM users. Only 2 days later, AOL tweaked its servers to block all communication coming from its long time rival. Last week Microsoft did announce that its Live Communications Server (LCS) will connect with AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and its own MSN Messenger. But LCS is however a service for corporate instant messaging users only. The so-called interoperability between the different services for public IM users like you and me, is still far away and those early MSN Messenger days may well become an unicum. [Read more...]

In March we at Mess.be speculated about the release of MSN Messenger 7 (ehm, for the record, if you already downloaded such a version, I would suggest running virus scanner). Timothy made mad calculations, based on the fact that it took Microsoft 4.3 years for creating 6 different versions of MSN Messenger (excluding the major revision between 4.0 and 4.5). 6 divided by 4.5 makes 1.3 MSN Messenger's a year (that's a new version every 0.7 year). Count up 0.7 to 4.3 and what do you get ? Yes, the 5th birthday of MSN Messenger. NOW! While Microsoft has not mentioned anything about the birthday of its very popular IM software, you might wonder if they are up to something? We know for a fact that MSN Messenger 7 is in development, but I'm afraid we'll have to be a bit more patient. Like me, Microsoft is very bad when it comes to deadlines ;)

Available in 26 languages, today MSN Messenger is one of the most popular free IM services, with 120 million users each month worldwide. As the first non-official MSN Messenger site, we at Mess.be have been following the ups and downs of MSN Messenger since 2001. And we will continue to do so and provide you with anything you need for as long as MSN Messenger is around. That's why we chant out loud: LONG LIVE MSN MESSENGER!

msn messenger 1 >> Download MSN Messenger 1.0 (this version will not connect anymore)

old msn messenger emoticon >> Use the classic MSN emoticons in your conversations! (to be honest, the old school MSN emoticons were not available until MSN Messenger 3.0 released in 2000, but here you go anyway).



 No more free 2 gb Hotmail accounts
No more free 2 gb Hotmail accounts

dwergs says ( 22 Jul 2004 ):

 

In yesterday's news we mentioned a trick to get a free 2 gigabyte (premium, $19.95 worth) Hotmail account. According to bilal_moon and others, MSN has fixed the glitch. This doesn't mean however that all accounts created while the trick worked have been downsized. Keep your fingers crossed if you own one of those :) Meanwhile, both free and premium accounts are still gradually being upgraded to bigger inbox sizes. Have patience.

Reported by Neowin, MSN Premium accounts with @msn.com .NET Passport can use the following server:

POP3: pop3.email.msn.com
SMTP: smtp.email.msn.com

Users need to tick "SPA" in Outlook Express and Microsoft Office Outlook.



 Updated: MouseMan's MSN Messenger 6 Logviewer
Updated: MouseMan's MSN Messenger 6 Logviewer

dwergs says ( 21 Jul 2004 ):

 

MouseMan's MSN Messenger 6 Logviewer has been updated to version 1.3.7. New is added support for richtext-codes; bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, text-colors and background colors are now supported. Also, the color codes used in nicknames are now correctly converted. Also new is the ability to give custom names to your contacts. Finally, the log loading speed has been increased a little.

>> Download MouseMan's MSN Messenger 6 Logviewer v1.3.7.



 USB IP phone allows PC-to-PC calls
USB IP phone allows PC-to-PC calls

dwergs says ( 21 Jul 2004 ):

 

I told you some posts earlier that VoIP will boom over the next year(s). You might picture yourself sitting in front of your PC screaming through your headset, but there will be hardware very similar to the phone you're using right now. Take Tongya Telecommunication Industry's recently introduced USB IP phone for instance. The TYN-201 allows users to make Internet calls through the PC without using a sound card. It is compatible with major PC-to-PC Internet phone application software, such as Microsoft NetMeeting, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. More info here.

[Source: Global Sources]



 Hotmail Inbox Storage being upgraded
Hotmail Inbox Storage being upgraded

dwergs says ( 21 Jul 2004 ):

 

Just logged into Hotmail to find out its look had changed a bit again. What striked me most was the absence of the ever there red "99% bar" alerting my maximum storage was about to be reached. That could mean only one thing: yes, MSN is finally expanding the inbox size of both free and paid email accounts to 250mb and 2gb. With Google's Gmail gigabyte feature, it was only about time MSN made the same move to keep its current huge userbase. Email accounts are not being upgraded simultaneously, so it's perfectly possible you will have to wait a couple of days before you can enjoy your giant inbox.

I found a rather stupid email from MSN Hotmail Member Services in my inbox today as well, claiming I was about to reach my maximum storage of 2 gigabyte and urgent action was required. With only 9,5mb of used space, I'm taking this communcation was a small error and they meant to send out a proud announcement instead.

UPDATE: According to zeebaf on the Neowin forums, you can get a 2000mb MSN/Hotmail Account for free like this:

- If you are using Windows XP SP1 run your MSN Explorer 7.02 and signup for new account.

- If you do NOT have Windows XP SP1 installed then download MSN Explorer 7.02 here and signup for new account.

According to follow-up forum posts this trick seems to work for most people, but keep in mind that this is a system glitch and MSN might correct it and downsize your account again later. Oh well, in that case you'll still have a good 250mb.

UPDATE 2: Hotmail is forcing spam filters into elaborate mode. I always used "low" because I never trusted the thing, but I just logged in only to find out it was set to a more stronger setting.



 Two more Chat Bots
Two more Chat Bots

dwergs says ( 20 Jul 2004 ):

 

MSN Messenger chatbots are still actively being developed and that's why we can announce not one, but two new ones today:

First one up is a role playing game bot by Syroon with four classes, lots of attacks, games to earn money and exp, items which can be bought in the shop, etc. Its name? -=[DarkBotXP]=- Its address? l33t_m5n_b0thotmail.com.

Second one's created by Shadow Hacker and is called Moody. It has worlds to explore and meet people in, and there's items lying around. It has a postoffice, trophy room, games, lotto, a town square, blood thirsty monkeys (yikes!) and more. Add it to your contact list with moodware_bothotmail.com!



 Another messer reaches drinking age!
Another messer reaches drinking age!

Zero1 says ( 20 Jul 2004 ):

 

On behalf of all the Mess.be crew, I would like to congratulate ZiPP on his 18th birthday! Sorry for putting that elephant on your front lawn this morning, but you know you liked it!

We at Mess.be take pride in giving the best presents to our news posters. So here you go ZiPP, i hope you like them:



 TomBotXP's new address
TomBotXP's new address

dwergs says ( 20 Jul 2004 ):

 

Dutch bot TomBotXP has changed its address. If you want to continue playing its games (trivia, jumble, lotto...), using the poll, integrated google.nl and other features then add one (and just one) of the following address to your contact list: bot1tombotxp.tk or bot2tombotxp.tk!



 Freedom2Surf Babble launched
Freedom2Surf Babble launched

dwergs says ( 19 Jul 2004 ):

 

Freedom2Surf, one of the UK's leading broadband ISPs, has today announced the launch of Freedom2Surf Babble, a new service that offers free Internet calls and messaging over an existing broadband connection.

Freedom2Surf Babble is available to anyone with a PC and broadband connection, and allows customers to make and receive free unlimited calls. Babble users simply connect to the service through messaging software such as Windows Messenger (or through a VoIP enabled phone).

Expect several more (Internet) service providers to start offering similar cheap or free services in the near future as Voice-over-IP is bound to become huge next year!

[Source: Freedom2Surf]



 Updated: Messenger Plus! Log Viewer 0.21 beta 2
Updated: Messenger Plus! Log Viewer 0.21 beta 2

zipp says ( 19 Jul 2004 ):

 

The Messenger Plus! Log Viewer by 360° Software has been updated to version 0.21 beta 2.

>> Download the new version here!



 MSN Messenger for mac petition
MSN Messenger for mac petition

timothy says ( 19 Jul 2004 ):

 

After the release of MSN Messenger 4 for Mac almost all Mac users were very disappointed to see a cheap rip-off of the old-boring-buggy-version 3.

That’s why the MSN Messenger for Mac petition is back ! Now demanding interoperability between PC`s and Macs. Features like display pictures, webcam and audio chat. And the possibility to mess with it.

So be nice, and help your Mac friends out by signing this petition with just a click.



 Added: Celebrity Display Pictures part 2
Added: Celebrity Display Pictures part 2

dwergs says ( 18 Jul 2004 ):

 

beyoncé, you're so damn foxy!Hey messers! Still there? As you may have noticed my news posts were cut back the last two weeks, but I have now returned from my summer holidays in France and Italy. I'm glad to see my fellow admins have taken good care of my baby, Mess. Also kudos to my brother who helped me when the server was out and I was completely web-less during my road trip!

I still have to go through lots of emails and submissions but here's a quick update already with a batch of new display pictures of the stars uploaded by lpchick:

>> Browse through the Beyoncé display pictures,

>> Browse through the Britney Spears display pictures

>> Browse through the Jessica Simpson display pictures

>> Browse through the Josh Hartnett display pictures



Click Here!

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