MSN+Messenger

toc

=What is it?=

MSN Messenger is a prime example of a popular Instant Messaging service. North Americans commonly refer it to it simply as “MSN”. Anyone can use MSN as long as they have a computer, Internet access and a Microsoft Passport Network account. People use their hotmail accounts for access; gmail accounts are known to work as well. MSN includes many other features besides instant messaging. These features are continually being introduced in newer updated versions of MSN. You can download or upgrade to the most recent version of MSN from the [|MSN Messenger website].

=Why is it Popular?=


 * Has the availability to keep in contact with friends all over the world.
 * Great way to have fun and cheap entertainment by meeting new people.
 * Great method of communication and saves a lot of money and time, by having multiple conversations.
 * Easy to use.
 * Safe way to meet new people.
 * Easy and fast way to get in touch with others.
 * Great for college and university students.
 * Great way to communicate when unable to answer your cell phone.
 * Saves you minutes on your cell phone.
 * You decide who you want to put on your contact list and who you don't (Fischer & Kansas).

=Features=

Many features are included in MSN not just for instant messaging:

You can send a message to anyone in the world just as long as they have the messenger service.
 * Instant Message**

Small amusing animations used to liven up the conversation. In the settings, you may choose if you would like to receive winks automatically, or upon clicking the wink icon. You may also disable this feature.
 * Wink**

Shakes the conversation window you are in to grab the other person’s attention or vice versa. In the settings, you may choose to disable this feature.
 * Nudge**

Small “happy face” pictures/animations that expresses virtually any emotion. In the settings, you may also choose whether or not you would like to accept emoticons. If you choose not to accept this feature, a sent emoticon would appear as its typed shortcut [i.e. a heart would appear as "(L)"].
 * Emoticons**

Enables you to see the person while you chat.
 * Video Conversation**

Enables you to use a microphone and hear the other person’s voice without long distance charges.
 * Voice**

Put your mouth where your Messenger is: instantly send a short voice clip Show Me!
 * Voice Clip**

Can use a webcam to let other people see you while you chat with them. You have the option of either displaying the fact that you are webcam-ready, or keeping it unidentified.
 * Webcam**


 * Games
 * Play games with your messenger buddy in the same chat window! Games include Tic, Tac Toe, Hexic, Checkers, Solitaire SHowdown, Bejeweled etc.

The ability to send a file to another person’s computer via MSN Messenger.
 * File Sharing**

Allowing a person to share photos with one another.
 * Photo Swap**

Virtual online greeting cards to send to your friends
 * Xpress Greets**

Being able to draw a picture and ideas using the mouse.
 * Whiteboard**

Can send messages to wireless mobile phone devices Access E-mail** You can simply click on the e-mail icon and it will take you directly to your inbox without having to sign in again. Send E-Mail** You can send e-mail to someone by clicking their messenger window if they are offline. If a user is online, you may also e-mail them by right clicking on their username and selecting Send Other > Send E-mail.
 * PC to Mobile Messaging**

They have now introduced “MSN Spaces”, your own space to have your own blog. Users who have recently updated their MSN Space are tagged with a yellow star next to their MSN username, and goes away only when their updated space has been viewed.
 * Start a Blog**

Ability to change the background of your message windows for different friends on your list. You may chose a default background, or customized picture for a more personal message setting.
 * Backgrounds**

A picture shown in your display window that people associate you with when you go online. You may choose from a few avatars MSN has to offer, otherwise, you may also browse your computer for pictures of your own.
 * Display Pictures**

Emoticons, backgrounds, display pictures, and winks that have a common theme to save trouble on customizing yourself. My Msn Space** This is a space where one can post their personal photos, set up a blog, and share music lists. What I'm Listening To** This feature allows people to see what music you are listening to at the exact moment you are listening to it. This feature is compatible with a Windows Media Player or i-Tunes plug-in (has to be enabled in these programs first underneath preferences). The song title and name of artist appears as a blue link in place of your personal pessage (see below) when you turn on the "What I'm Listening To" feature. Clicking on this link brings the user to a completed MSN Search of the specific song.
 * Theme Packs**

In addition to your online name, a secondary position to put personal messages to people to distinguish from your name.
 * Personal Message**

ilovemessenger has lots of backgrounds, emoticons, and display pictures for you to choose from. It's easy and it's FREE!
 * ilovemessenger**

Get alerts through MSN Messenger and stay connected to the information that's important to you.
 * Alerts**

Is a great way to get help from another person if you run into problems in your computer. Instead of having someone come over physically, you can simply invite them to take control over your computer via remote assistance. It's very safe and easy to use and asks the user for approval in attempting every action.
 * Remote Assistance**

Ability to use a handwriting feature.
 * Handwrite**

Windows can be minimized, moved, or pushed away out of sight with ease.
 * Hide/Show Window Frames**

Search the Web and find what you're looking for without leaving your conversation
 * Web Search**

Can share your search results with other people
 * Shared Search**

Searches that deal within your regional area
 * Near Me Search**

Contacts are organized through groups. You can give these groups their own special name.
 * Create Groups**

Maintain your personal contact information in one place and let people know when you've updated your MSN Space.
 * Contact Cards**

Can put your status to things like “Busy”, “Away”, “Out to Lunch”, “Offline”, etc.
 * Set Status Before Logon**

Conversations can be instantly saved onto your computer. This is useful if you need to refer back to information that was shared in an earlier coonversation. You also have the option of storing the last few messages of an old conversation in a newly opened conversation window. This is sometimes useful if you ever want to refer back to what was discussed in your last conversation.
 * Message History**

Planning is easier with Calendar Sharing from MSN Messenger.
 * Calendar Sharing**

Getting the help you need is easier with Remote Assistance.
 * Remote Assistance**

Application Sharing makes it easier to communicate by letting your friend see your computer desktop.
 * Application Sharing**

MSN Messenger puts you in control of who you choose to communicate with.
 * Accepting & Declining Contacts**

=Windows Live Messenger=

This is the next-generation of MSN Messenger. All the same features from the previous MSN Messenger system will be there and more. It is currently in its beta stage but expectations for this new system are high. Some of the new features are:


 * New Emoticons and Winks
 * The same emoticons and winks will be there plus new ones.

Can make voice calls to people all around the world with better quality than a simple voice conversation. However, unlike free voice conversations you have to sign up and purchase MCI calling minutes.
 * Voice Calling**

The ability to share files with another contact created a separate sharing folder for that contact. This folder can be accessed from the desktop and the messenger service. This service is better than e-mail because it mimics a folder on a desktop where files are ever-present and transferring and deleting of files are easy to do.
 * Sharing Folders**

The best and most important feature of windows live messenger which makes it different from MSN is that you can talk to people while you appear offline. Hence if you just want to talk to one person but dont want to be bombarded with messages when you go online you can just talk to them and appear offline. Additionally, if you want to leave a message to someone who is offline you can leave it and the next time they come online they will receive that message. This feature was already there in yahoo messenger but has now been introduced to the microsoft company and will eventually be the next MSN Messenger most probably.
 * Privacy and Selectivity

Messenger Enhancements
There is also many files that you can add on to MSN that allows you to do much more with it. They are not necessarily hacks, but might be along the line of it. One example is that it pops up a message saying that this person has started a conversation with you and that the user has closed the chat window. It allows you to know if someone is interested in talking to you or if they are ignoring you.

=Related Links=

Messenger Geeks Instant Messaging

=Works Cited=

Fischer, Keny & Collegian, State Kansas. __Instant messengers popular, convenient for students__. Available at http://www.kstatecollegian.com/article.php?a=1990 [ accessed from 26 February 2006].

//MSN Messesenger Features// [online]. Available from: http://messenger.msn.com/Feature/default.aspx [accessed 22 February 2006].

//MSN Messesenger Version 7.5 Home// [online]. Available from: http://messenger.msn.com/Xp/Default.aspx [accessed 22 February 2006].

//Windows Live Messenger Beta// [online]. Available from: http://ideas.live.com/programpage.aspx?versionId=0eccd94b-eb48-497c-8e60-c6313f7ebb73 [accessed 27 February 2006].

http://www.ker95.com/ - Chat 101 http://www.msngeeks.com