Main/News >> News Archives > The week of August 07 (2005) (you are here)

 Official MSN Messenger 7.5 BETA going public!

dwergs says ( 11 Aug 2005 ):

Until this moment the MSN Messenger 7.5 BETA was supposed to be available to selected BETA-testers only, while the rest of the world (except for Italy) had to exercise patience... or not. But it seems like Microsoft is planning a worldwide public BETA for 7.5 dubbed MSN Messenger Technical Preview and mainly focused on the Vodafone integration. "MSN Messenger Technical Preview is a pre-release version of the MSN Messenger client that will be offered in the near future. We are giving our customers the chance to take a sneak peek at the new and exciting functionality of being able to have Messenger conversations with users on Vodafone mobiles. Please note, you are using the MSN Messenger Technical preview at your own risk." Download links are not functional yet (a matter of hours or days?) but here are some links to official BETA homepages: United Kingdom, Belgium, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, etc. UPDATE: Except for nineMSN Australia, all these new pages have been replaced with blank templates. Did we jump the gun here, to MSN's disliking? >> Download Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.5.0244. >> Download CustoMess for MSN Messenger 7.x. [Reported by: m0rg4n and argon]

 First ever Microsoft Messenger for Mac patch

dwergs says ( 10 Aug 2005 ):

We're writing history today with the release of the first patch for Messenger for Mac... EVER! Our own Mac-expert, timothy, has manipulated one of the files in order to remove the personal/cooperate tab bar from the contact list window. Carefully follow the instructions on the download page to successfully apply the visual change. May this be the first of many Messenger for Mac 5.0 tweaks and addons! >> Download the Messenger for Mac 5.0 Patch.

 Secret Dynamic Backgrounds discovered in 7.5.0244

dwergs says ( 10 Aug 2005 ):

I wouldn't have thought MSN Messenger 7.5.0244 would still hold secrets from us one week after its release to BETA-testers, but surprisingly it does! With the help of Mad_messer, we found some changes in the latest BETA regarding the new Dynamic Backgrounds feature. To start with, the previously buggy World Clocks background has been reduced to just one, MSN-branded clock showing your local time. But that's not all, the 244 build "hides" two extra Dynamic Backgrounds called Mad Scientist and Pixies. They will come standard with MSN Messenger 7.5 FINAL, bringing the total number of default Dynamic Backgrounds to four, but for now you'll have to "unlock" them yourself following these steps: 1) Sign out of MSN Messenger 7.5.0244. 2) Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[Username]\Application Data\Microsoft\MSN Messenger\ NOTE: This is a hidden directory, so you will need to enable Show all hidden files in Folder Options of Windows Explorer. 3) Double-click the directory linked to your Passport. NOTE: If you don't know what number this is, use this easy tool by Choli and wtbw to find out. 4) Delete the DynamicBackgrounds folder. 5) Sign in again. 6) Go to a conversation window and click the backgrounds button. Now click My Dynamic Backgrounds (or more...) and then double-click Mad Scientist and Pixies to add them to your list. To be honest, these new Dynamic Backgrounds are somewhat better than the ones I've seen before. But I still prefer my conversation windows clean and calm.

 We got the Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0 download link!

dwergs says ( 09 Aug 2005 ):

Following-up on our story earlier today about the launch of Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0, sleuth-hound Timothy found the software's download location for all eight languages: >> Download Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0. You know who to thank for this... NOTE: For some of you the download will not work yet because of typical DNS propagation issues.

 Move that Ass Ad!

dwergs says ( 09 Aug 2005 ):

I never really had any serious problems with the ads embedded in MSN Messenger, but today's contact list advertisement displaying four (aged) men's asses is not what I'd voluntarily like to see... over and over and over again. I guess it's a good day then for fellow Belgians to do just like me and apply Mess Patch to remove the unappetizing image. Of course, Mess Patch comes with dozens of other interesting options and in many different languages, so even if you're not confronted with this banner, it still is worth checking out. But please verifiy your MSN Messenger version first (Help > About) and then download the correct build from below: >> Download Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.0.0813. >> Download Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.0.0816. >> Download Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.5.0160 & 7.5.0162 BETA. >> Download Mess Patch for MSN Messenger 7.5.0244 BETA. Finally, here are some luscious images we'd like to see in future ads instead: >> Browse Babes MSN Display Pictures (+18 and partly registered users only). >> Browse Sexy MSN Display Pictures (+18 and registered users only).

 MSN Messenger 5.0 for Mac Launches

dwergs says ( 09 Aug 2005 ):

According to PC Magazine and confirming earlier rumors, Microsoft today has launched a new version of its MSN Messenger client for Apple's operating system. MSN Messenger for Mac 5.0 is ready to be used for corporations running Live Communication Server 2005. Microsoft spokesperson Amanda Lefebvre said that the new version will appeal to IT managers because it will give them more control over the messaging software. Not only will it improve security against malicious code or attacks, she said, it will allow companies to log and monitor IM conversations. Lefebvre also mentioned that the new Messenger will have more of a "Mac look and feel" and have tools that allow for more visual personalization. Now, users will be able to upload icons that will appear inline with the text and can display animated and custom-created emoticons. The interface also has the same brushed steel look as the rest of the Mac OS X platform. When MSN Messenger was released last year, Apple users who were unhappy that the Mac version of the software lagged behind the PC version started on online petition drive [which we always fueled and supported here at Mess.be]. The petition seems to have reached Microsoft's ears, although the Lefebvre made no mention of any new video capabilities in the latest or even a future release of the software. UPDATE: XeroCool sent us details about all the languages Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0 will be released in: English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish. UPDATE #2: Timothy pointed me to this page which lists the new features, but still no working download link. Also new, Top 10 questions about Microsoft Messenger for Mac. >> Expect a download link to appear here at some point today. [Source: PC Magazine]

 Chat-up babes and models... via MSN Messenger

dwergs says ( 08 Aug 2005 ):

Let's face it: dates are often just not worth the hassle. New shirt, a shave, expensive aftershave, not to mention the wallet-busting bill at the end of the night - and there's no guarantee it'll even go well! MSN is saving you all the bother and giving you the chance to win an online date with stunning babes, via MSN Messenger and yes, via webcams! You'll be guaranteed a gorgeous date, you won't have to pick up the tab, and hell, you don't even have to shower... they'll never know! >> Sign up here to win a Video Conversation with FHM's High Street Honey winner 2004, Natalie Pike. >> Sign up here to win a Video Conversation with current Miss Belgian Beauty, Cynthia Reekmans (Dutch!). >> Reminder: You can still win a chat with the three Sirens called Sugababes. Also up for grabs in each of these competitions are tons of Logitech webcams. Or buy them straight off eBay.

 These shirts are bananas!

dwergs says ( 08 Aug 2005 ):

New prints are available at Threadless and as usual I turned my favorite ones into pre-cropped MSN Display Pictures: >> Wear your Threadless MSN Display Pictures. >> Shop at Threadless. >> Looking for more t-shirts, posters and art? Get 20% off everything at Allposters using promotion code JNZ6C (before August 10th).

 New MSN Messenger now works with Vodafone

dwergs says ( 07 Aug 2005 ):

A couple of days ago, MSN and Vodafone started BETA-testing their PC-to-mobile instant messaging service in Italy. Italian messers can now download a public BETA of MSN Messenger 7.5 that enables interaction with Vodafone Messenger here. The "enhanced"* messaging service will be officially launched in other European countries before the end of the year. (* Ehm.. plain text and six emoticons is not what we'd call enhanced nowadays). There is a small charge for every message you send from MSN Messenger to a mobile phone with this service, which is paid with MSN Mobile Messaging credits. Vodafone Messenger users are charged their normal Vodafone rates to send messages. MSN has no plans to extend this enhanced service to other networks at present. >> Visit the Vodafone & MSN BETA homepage or watch the presentation. >> Download the Italian MSN Messenger 7.5 BETA here (downloading only recommended to people living in Italy) >> The dillio on MSN Messenger 7.5. [Reported by: Overdo]

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