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 MSN Messenger 8.0 Feature Wish List
MSN Messenger 8.0 <s>Feature</s> Wish List

dwergs says ( 27 Aug 2005 ):

 

Messer stil_tippin sure got a ball running after posting a would-be feature list of MSN Messenger 8.0 on our forums. The list got copy-pasted and traveled around the last 24 hours, even reaching influential tech news sites like Neowin. But before people (continue to) go completely ecstatic over it, we would like to emphasize that it's just a list of selected ideas suggested by past beta users. There's no reason to believe that all of these feature will actually be part of MSN Messenger 8.0 when it's released somewhere in 2006. Here's our take on it

- MSN Messenger skins (contact & conversation windows): a classic request in BETA chats and Q&A sessions with the MSN Messenger team.

- Real-time Emotions: several rumors exist about this new type of crazy emoticons Microsoft is cooking up.

- Built-in Windows Media Player.

- Pause/Resumed file transfers with more details (download/upload speed): another popular request since years.

- Animated Display Pictures: The list mistakenly mentions .gif, .jpg and .png are under consideration for this, but only GIF can show animation guys.

- Mood Status: Don't need this, we got Mood Display Pictures and Status Display Pictures here at Mess.be.

- Faster contact list loading and scrolling: doesn't sound like a real feature to me, just something they've been working on forever.

- Public profile and MSN Spaces combined: there's definitely something going to happen in the MSN Profiles area, as reported last month.

- More MSN Spaces features: Of course there will.

- New Hotmail and MSN Messenger integration: Probably rather "improved" than "new".

- Downloadable MSN Messenger on Mobile: nothing new.

- News updates according to location: MSN Today has already got this.

- Top 10 MSN Music Radio: Makes sense as a Tab.

- New Stylish Notifier Pop-up.

- Complete Integration with Windows XP® & Windows Vista®: Not surprisingly!

- Offline Voice/Message Machine: While this has been requested for as long as I can remember, it's been withhold because it would heavily drive back the use of Hotmail.

- Animated Buddy Icon Helper: Oh no, Clippy the Paperclip is back!

- Display Picture Ratings: If so, then Messers will score big time.

It's also been rumored that the MSN Messenger 8.0 BETA will start around Christmas time. So for now, don't get overexcited and just enjoy MSN Messenger 7.5.

[Source: Mess.be forums] [Reported by: Jessica, MAK8, XxRebelSeanxX, DN2004, joeleb, Lance, )(Rockerboy, TimRogers, Matty, Psych0, Ricmacas, InF3St & TiTAN]



 Xbox 360 teaser reveals MSN Messenger support
Xbox 360 teaser reveals MSN Messenger support

dwergs says ( 26 Aug 2005 ):

 

msn messenger on xbox 360Messer Y2Pdogg pointed us to a rather interesting find by Xbox 360 fansite Planet Xbox360. In its second week of existence the Microsoft-owned countdown-to-release site, Origen Xbox 360, has added a visual teaser which will appeal to many gaming Messers. One of the two apples suddenly hanging in the tree has a strange shade on it. A closer look reveals the contours of the MSN Messenger buddy logo! So you can bet your bottom dollar that the nextgen game console will blend even more closely with our favorite IM software! More info as soon as it reaches us.

>> Have a look yourself at Origin Xbox 360.



 XP or not XP? Add 'or Win2k' to that question!
XP or not XP? Add 'or Win2k' to that question!

dwergs says ( 26 Aug 2005 ):

 

Ahmad sent us something that will make Windows 2000 users very happy. He modified the XP-only MSN Messenger 7.5 setup so it will allow a Win2k installation. Most of the features will work, except for the Voice Clips.

If you decide to install, note that nobody can be held responsible for bugs and crashes caused by this modified version.

>> Download MSN Messenger 7.5 for Windows 2000.

>> Download the original MSN Messenger 7.5 for Windows XP.



 Web2Messenger temporarially offline
Web2Messenger temporarially offline

Sean says ( 26 Aug 2005 ):

 

The Web2Messenger service run by TheBlasphemer and MoRiA has been forced to temporarially close for maintenance.

It is expected to be fully operational again shortly.



 XP or not XP? That's the question
XP or not XP? That's the question

dwergs says ( 24 Aug 2005 ):

 

Frankly, there's no reason not to upgrade to MSN Messenger 7.5.0299 because a) it's not a private BETA but a public FINAL and b) a Mess Patch is already available. But I received a few remarks from people who tried to download MSN Messenger 7.5.0299 and got stuck with a previous version. That's because from version 7.5 on, MSN Messenger is Windows XP-only, confirming a rumor from last month. If you own a different version of the Windows operating system, you will have to keep using MSN Messenger 7.0.0816. Quick, somebody start a petition!

(Just kidding about that petition thing...)

(REALLY! Please don't do it)



 Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.5 FINAL
Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.5 FINAL

dwergs says ( 24 Aug 2005 ):

 

mess patch for msn messengerYes! Yay! Hurray! Mess Patch 7.5.0299 is here and ready to mess with the final version of MSN Messenger 7.5. Nothing much has changed this time, but is that even necessary with over 60 tweaks already on the menu?

- Three options for stripping text from toolbar buttons were added on request. I recommend this option if you want less talk (should be text, really, but I couldn't resist) more action.

- You can now get rid of the "Get a webcam!" spam.

- We had to say goodbye to the BETA-tag removal option. That's a good thing, actually.

Big up for all Mess Patch contributors! Time to rock 'n roll:

>> Download Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.5.0299.

>> Download MSN Messenger 7.5 0299.



 Updated: Custom Games Installer 2.0.1
Updated: Custom Games Installer 2.0.1

dwergs says ( 24 Aug 2005 ):

 

hangman for msn messengerA new Custom Games Installer is available adding support for the final version of MSN Messenger 7.5 (7.5.0299).

Included in this new installer is support for the french, swedish, hungarian and slovenian language. The installer detects your locale settings and uses the appropiate language automatically. The games themselves are being translated as we speak, so expect some changes soon.

>> Download Custom Games Patch v2.0.1

>> Visit games.mess.be.

>> Read more about adding extra games to MSN Messenger.



 Google didn't talk the talk, but now walks the walk
Google didn't talk the talk, but now walks the walk

dwergs says ( 24 Aug 2005 ):

 

Honestly, it feels like blasphemy to even "talk" about this only the day after Microsoft unleashed MSN Messenger 7.5 FINAL, but then again it appears to be not such a big deal after all so why the heck not: Google has thrown itself on the IM market!

The BETA version of Google Talk has been made available earlier today to Gmail users. Google's IM includes no ads, search bar, scrolling stock tickers, emoticons, file transfers videos or even links to content from Google's numerous sites. Much like the very first version of MSN Messenger, you might say. So just wait another year and we'll talk again.

Starting today you're not tied to member invitations for Gmail anymore. Anyone in the United States with an SMS-enabled phone can visit the Gmail site, enter their phone number and receive a text invite and code. This also means they'll have access to Google Talk Beta.

>> Download Google Talk Beta... (*sigh* I can't do this. Go Google it yourself!)

>> Here's MSN Messenger 7.5 FINAL instead ;)

[Reported by: Sully & bobsta]



 MSN Messenger 7.5.0299 final released!
MSN Messenger 7.5.0299 final released!

Zero1 says ( 23 Aug 2005 ):

 

Microsoft have released a final version of MSN Messenger 7.5 (7.5.0299) on the public MSN Messenger site. Official information seems not to have been updated yet as the site is still displaying MSN Messenger version 7.0 UPDATE: The official homepages have been updated to reflect this release.

Some of the new features that have been incorporated in this updated version are the ability to add people, start a conversation, start a video conversation and start a voice conversation via a link in a webpage. The links are constructed as so:

Start a conversation: msnim:chat?contact=contact@hotmail.com
Add a contact: msnim:add?contact=contact@hotmail.com
Start a voice conversation: msnim:voice?contact=contact@hotmail.com
Start a video conversation: msnim:video?contact=contact@hotmail.com

Some people may notice this feature is similar to AOL Instant Messenger's link system. However, people who remember the workaround that was made for MSN Messenger 4 & 5 will appreciate how much simpler this is to implement in their own webpages.

Also, the quality of audio over MSN Messenger has been improved and better echo-cancellation implemented.

>> Download MSN Messenger 7.5 FINAL.

>> Discuss on the mess.be forum! <<

[Reported by: Larney] [Also reported by: Overdo, Xivion, hmaster, Lance and D_V] [Updated by: EvilSeph & balupton]



 Sign 'ZIG'. For great justice!
Sign 'ZIG'. For great justice!

dwergs says ( 23 Aug 2005 ):

 

If you haven't done so, I'm reminding you to sign Patchou's petition against MS AntiSpyware's boycott of Messenger Plus!. It's not even been a week since things got a little crazy, and 30,000 people have already showed their support. Hell, even more people are undersigning this petition than were signing up for the Plus! contest a few months ago! That definitely shows the enormous strength of the Plus! community. Way to go!

>> Sign the petition.

PS: Sorry for the long overdue AYBABTU reference in the title, but I still love that craze.



 Quick poll: Choose our short-term focus
Quick poll: Choose our short-term focus

dwergs says ( 23 Aug 2005 ):

 

Because I'm a last-minute-man, I have piled up a lot of work approaching deadlines soon. This means I'm going to have to spend my precious Mess.be time very carefully during the next couple of weeks. That's why I'm asking you to prod me into the right direction and choose one short-term goal for Mess.be.

I'm sure you want us to focus on all these things, and because all work and no mess makes dwergs a dull boy there will still be a little bit of everything. But for now I want you to pick one thing you deem most important yourself. Thanks for voting!

UPDATE: Poll temporarily dismissed. Thanks for your votes!



 Microsoft Hopes to Go Postal
Microsoft Hopes to Go Postal

dwergs says ( 22 Aug 2005 ):

 

rfid msn messengerMicrosoft is marketing an RFID (radio frequency identification device) package for postal services in Taiwan, hoping to woo the government's post office and potentially forge a new line of business.

The technology allows a postal service, the package sender, and the receiver to view exactly where the package is at all times. It also notifies a receiver when the package will arrive and alerts senders via MSN Messenger or a mobile phone SMS after it has been signed for at its destination. Currently, package tracking is limited in that you can only see when a package is at, or has left, particular scan destinations, which can be separated by hundreds of miles.

The RFID tag is about the size of a playing card, with a sticker on one side to hold it to a package. It contains information about the package's contents, the sender, and the destination. Aside from tracking, it also helps smooth out the mailing process by telling other electronic devices, like mail sorting machines, where the package needs to go.

Taiwan's Chunghwa Post has not decided yet if it will use the Microsoft technology package. Microsoft has also held talks with India's postal service about using the RFID system, although those discussions were very preliminary, a representative at Microsoft India says.

>> More information: Getting ready for RFID.

[Source: PC World]



 Google IM on Wednesday?
Google IM on Wednesday?

dwergs says ( 22 Aug 2005 ):

 

From The New York Times:

"Google executives say they plan to unveil on Wednesday a "communications tool" that is potentially a clear step beyond the company's search-related business focus.

While executives would not disclose what the new software tool might be, Google has long been expected to introduce an instant messaging service to compete with services offered by America Online, Yahoo and MSN from Microsoft."

Hold on tight, because MSN Messenger might get some competition...

[Source: NY Times]



 Updated: Custom Games Installer 2.0.0
Updated: Custom Games Installer 2.0.0

dwergs says ( 22 Aug 2005 ):

 

The latest Custom Games patch is compatible with the leaked MSN Messenger 7.5.0244 BETA and, coming in English, Spanish and Dutch, it's a first step towards multilanguage support. The games too will be available soon in these three languages.

If your language is not listed and you would like to help out translating the patch and games, send Koen a message.

>> Download Custom Games Patch v2.0.0.

>> Visit games.mess.be.



 Web2Messenger invites... anyone?
Web2Messenger invites... anyone?

dwergs says ( 21 Aug 2005 ):

 

Thanks to the Web2Messenger team, we have another lot of exclusive BETA invitations to share with you. On top of that, Messers balupton and Mudshovelke were so kind to share their own invitations with us. And yes, (s)he who snoozes loses, so hurry up and use those invitations before someone else beats you to it.

Invitation #1, Invitation #2, etc.

The invites were used up in no time. But Mudshovelke sent us two more: good luck.



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