Main/News >> News Archives > The week of October 09 (2005) (you are here)

 Doc, Doc, Doc, Doc, Doctor Bot

dwergs says ( 14 Oct 2005 ):

After being withdrawn from the general public for a couple of years, a member of the first generation of MSN Messenger bots has returned to the scene. Andrew Bartle's Doctor Eightball is back with a new engine and features like movie ratings (eg. rate fight club), translator from English to other languages, (eg. translate to French quarter pounder with cheese), spelling checker (eg. spell dwurgs) and jokes. Andrew will add new features as time permits. Say hi to our old friend at chatdoctoreightball.net!

 Meebo, the Web-based Multi-IM client

dwergs says ( 13 Oct 2005 ):

There are dozens of web-based applications that allow you to sign into your favorite messenger service from within your web browser, and I do not easily promote clients other than... well, you know. But Meebo deservers the extra attention. To begin with, it allows you to sign into four popular IM services simultaneously, including -of course- MSN Messenger and newcomer Google Talk. "Semi-interoperability", you could call it. All you have to do is enter your login details for the service(s) you want to log on, and off you go. Before you ask, they have a clear and safe privacy policy. Another point worth noting is the technology behind the application, which is -just like Gmail- AJAX. This translates into a very smooth operation without page reloads, and the typical Windows "feel" (chat windows can be maximized and overlap). The graphical user interface itself resembles MSN Messenger's new best buddy, Yahoo! Messenger. Meebo was launched last month by three people, and it's still in BETA-phase. For now Opera is not yet supported, but it worked great in IE and Firefox. >> Try Meebo (not to be confused with MeeGo).

 Microsoft and Yahoo! announce interoperability agreement

dwergs says ( 12 Oct 2005 ):

It's official! This morning's story about an IM pact between two leading global consumer IM providers, Microsoft and Yahoo!, has now been officially confirmed by both companies. Yahoo! calls all estimated 275 million users for a "group hug!" and compares the move to the fall of the Berlin wall. Somewhere in the first half of 2006 (Microsoft narrows it down to the year's second quarter), Yahoo! Messenger with Voice and MSN Messenger users will be able to "see when friends are online, share IMs and emoticons, easily add new contacts from either service to their Messenger Lists, and more". >> Yahoo! featured partner. >> Microsoft PressPass. (This posts illustration was taken from the Orneryboy Display Pictures set, freely available through CustoMess).

 Got Dutch spelling questions? Ask an expert!

dwergs says ( 12 Oct 2005 ):

Sdu Uitgevers, publisher of the official Dutch spelling guide Het Groene Boekje (translated: "The Little Green Book"), has hired a skilled linguist to answer people's questions about the Dutch language via MSN Messenger. Starting next week, the expert with passport "groeneboekjeinl.nl" will be available for a chat every workday between 10 & 11 AM and 2 & 3 PM Amsterdam/Brussels time. Make sure you leave the chat lingo and typos behind when you get a hold of him/her ;) Similar advise will be given through Skype and several podcasts. [Reported by: Huuf] [Source: Nu.nl]

 Earthquake on the IM stage: MSNM <3 YIM

dwergs says ( 12 Oct 2005 ):

Microsoft and Yahoo are expected to announce today that consumers using their Instant Messaging services will be able to communicate directly with each other for the first time! If the deal was to go ahead, it would allow users of MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Instant Messenger to talk to each other via text and voice. Ever since the online giants wanted their piece of the ICQ-baked IM pie, so-called interoperability has been an important but tricky issue. What started as a cat-and-mouse game around the turn of the century, turned into full-grown discussions and the realization that interoperability could be a good thing. Today's step would be the first major alliance between two of the web's main providers of IM. To avoid confusion, note that Microsoft has already opened up its corporate online messaging service to AOL and Yahoo. And only last month, Microsoft was rumored to be in the talks with the other (IM) competitor, AOL, about a possible merger. [Sources: Wall Street Journal and BetaNews] [Reported by: Alex P, Kevin, black.horizons, Rafy, atsaunier, Matt, Pruek, Purity & Zbegra]

 Microsoft doubles contact list size to 600

dwergs says ( 12 Oct 2005 ):

For the second time this year, Microsoft has doubled the maximum number of people you can add to your contact list. In March, the 150 limit on the Allow list was already lifted up to 300. And since a couple of days, you can currently add a grand total of 600 adresses to your contact list. The expansion was initially discovered by Messer TTKarl (see his screenshot) and considered to be a glitch in this Mess.be forum thread. BenCastricum later confirmed that his bots stopped adding addresses at 600, although the MSN Messenger Technical Support team is not yet fully aware of the change. You will not need to update your version of MSN Messenger, but keep in mind that the size of your contact list often affects the length of the sign-in process. [Reported by: TTKarl, Rav33n & Inky]

 J Allard on launching the Xbox 360, MSN Messenger support

dwergs says ( 11 Oct 2005 ):

In an interview with Microsoft's J. Allard, gaming site Eurogamer managed to learn a few more details on Xbox 360's MSN Messenger support uncurtained last August. When they asked him whether they will be integrating all of the new Xbox Live features with MSN Messenger, his answer was: "Yes, we're doing all of those things to try to increase the community. So between all of those things where you remove the credit card requirements, you have a free entrée, you have easier trials, and you also have the web aspect so you can start growing the community there and connecting the dots for people who aren’t ready to bring their console online, I think we will overcome the hurdle and get to a critical mass in the different non-English-speaking territories and Europe more generally and really get the ball rolling. Europe is very important to us, not just with consoles, but Live growth as well." I agree, it's not much, but we'll give you more details as soon as we hear them. Read the entire interview here. The Xbox 360 is due for release in Europe on December 2nd. [Reported by: balupton] [Source: Eurogamer]

 Mess.be forum welcomes ten thousandth user

dwergs says ( 11 Oct 2005 ):

Congratulations Joshwa from the United Kingdom! You were the 10000th person to succesfully register at the Mess with MSN Messenger forum! Over the course of last weekend and little over this forum's first birthday, we exceeded the milestone of ten thousand activated forum members. Joshwa, who registered on Sunday around 3:18 PM, had no idea he was helping us achieve the five digit number. Enough of a reason to reward him with a £30 gift certificate (about €44 or $52) at gadget heaven Firebox. Some suggestions of what Joshwa can spend it on... - The Power Ball Neon or SoundBug (turn flat surfaces into a speaker!) - Street Fighter II - 2 Player Plug 'n Play (on your television!) - EA Sports Classics - 2 Player Plug 'n Play (Fifa '96 and NHL '95!) - Sensible Soccer - 2 Player Plug 'n Play (+ FREE T-SHIRT!). - PIX Sports (wearable, multifunctional LED sporting assistant). - Firebox VoIP Cyberphone (works with MSN Messenger and Skype!). - Star Wars Mr. Potato Head (Darth Tater or Spud Trooper). - Etc... >> Read the 10,000 users! thread. >> Visit the Mess.be forum.

 Interested in testing the new Hotmail?

dwergs says ( 10 Oct 2005 ):

Microsoft is looking for BETA-testers worldwide for its next-generation Hotmail product codenamed Kahuna (check out some Mail BETA screenshots). "To sign up for the beta, please give us your e-mail address, and check the box if you want us to keep you in the loop about the latest developments. We'll use your e-mail address for this beta release and relevant updates only." Click on your country to be redirected to the sign-up page: United Kingdom, United States, Canada (English) or Canada (French), Australia, The Netherlands, Belgium, France or another country. You will receive a notification e-mail in case you're selected to BETA-test Microsoft Mail. UPDATE: Or just click here (thanks to Overdo and Mary Jo). Want to meet the team which is located at Microsoft's Silicon Valley campus, hear their design philosophy, and get a first look at Kahuna? Then watch the Omar Shahine and team - New Hotmail "Kahuna" video at Channel 9.

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