Msn messenger

MSN Messenger was an instant messaging program created by Microsoft in 1999 and discontinued in 2005 due to its replacement by Windows Live Messenger, and now occupied by Skype. On May 10, 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion, succeeding Windows Live Messenger. Initially it was designed for Microsoft Windows systems, and later a version available for Mac OS would be released. Beginning in 2005, as part of the creation of web services called Windows Live, many existing MSN services and programs were renamed, renaming Messenger to "Windows. Live Messenger" as of version 8.0.

Under the denomination three different programs are included:

• MSN Messenger: is the instant messaging client and its name is used to differentiate all Microsoft messaging programs.
• Windows Messenger: is included with Windows XP and is a basic instant messaging client that does not support many features of these (avatars, images, etc.). However, it is able to connect to the Communications and Exchange Instant Messaging Service used by some companies (so it is known as an enterprise version) and allows to control a machine remotely similar to NetMeeting. It allows two connection methods: RVP (old protocol used in the versions prior to 2003 of Exchange) and SIP/Simple.
• MSN Web Messenger: website version of the client appeared in August 2004. It provides similar features to MSN Messenger in a browser connected to the Internet. Its utility is that you can connect with an email account from a computer that does not have the program installed.

All three programs can use the same protocol so many of their features are similar.

A Microsoft Passport account was required to use the service. It allowed to use both text and smileys, animated smileys (GIF), handwriting (image), games or shared file sharing. It also allowed voice conversations, using a digital camera and, if it was installed on the Windows Messenger system, it is possible to allow remote control of the computer to contacts (restricting what tasks they can perform) from non-web clients.

It was part of the services offered by the MSN portal that included email with Hotmail or a search engine.

The latest version of this program is called Windows Live Messenger and is only compatible with the operating system Windows XP and higher. This version includes the ability to make calls to landlines and mobiles using VoIP services, as well as now having the ability to add Yahoo! Messenger.

The instant messaging service ceased to function on March 15, 2013 and was absorbed by the Skype platform, a global leader in VoIP services owned by Microsoft.

MSN Messenger Today

Since Microsoft shut down the servers that made MSN Messenger work, there have been many attempts by various means to keep MSN Messenger working without the need to turn to Microsoft. In the year 2017, a website was launched, called "Escargot" where this program can be reused using patches that must be installed together with the program and using external servers. By not using Microsoft servers, whoever wants to use the program must again create an account and add users. It can be used from MSN version 1.0 to WLM 2009 (14.0), although the same page recommends using the most recent versions. There are some communities. like the MessengerGeek forum, dedicated to users of old messaging services, although it has no relationship with Escargot.

History

Before the product was renamed Windows Live Messenger, it was known as "MSN Messenger Service" from 1999 to 2001 and "MSN Messenger" from 2001 to 2005. During that time, Microsoft released seven major versions in the following succession:

The first version of the MSN Messenger Service, version 1.0 (1.0.0863), was released on July 22, 1999. It included only basic features, such as plain text messaging and a simple contact list. When it was first released, it included support for AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) network access. America Online repeatedly attempted to block Microsoft's access to its service. The feature was eventually removed, and has not returned in any subsequent version of the software. Since then, MSN Messenger has only allowed connections to its service, which requires a Microsoft Passport account to connect.

Microsoft released the first major update, version 2.0 (2.0.0083), on November 16, 1999. It included a rotating advertising banner and the ability to customize the appearance of the chat window. It came about as an install option for Windows Me. This version was followed the next year by version 3.0 (3.0.0080), which was released on May 29, 2000. It included PC-to-PC file transfers and PC-to-phone audio capabilities with Net2Phone, one of the first VOIP providers.

Along with the release of Windows XP came version 4.6 of MSN Messenger on October 23, 2001. It included major changes to the user interface, the ability to contact groups, and support for voice chats. In this version, the client software was renamed from "MSN Messenger Service" to "MSN Messenger" while the underlying service was renamed ".NET Messenger Service", and the name has remained ever since. This version was only compatible with 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, and 2000, because Microsoft offered a new scaling-down program for Windows XP, called Windows Messenger, which was originally intended to replace MSN Messenger in Windows XP.

That strategy changed when version 5.0 of MSN Messenger was released on October 24, 2002. It was the first version allowed to be installed alongside Windows Messenger on Windows XP. they included UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) in file transfers, minor changes to user interface artwork, and a Windows Media Player Plug-in interface.

The following year, version 6.0 of MSN Messenger was released on July 17, 2003. MSN Messenger 6.0 was a major overhaul of the entire platform, updating its simple text-based interface and adding customizable elements, such as emoticons, custom avatars and backgrounds. The next update, version 6.1, focused on chat window improvements, allowing the user to hide the window frame and menu bar and also the ability to change the theme color. The theme color could be set differently for each user. Another update, version 6.2, was released on April 22, 2004 and was the last version in the MSN Messenger 6 series. The most notable changes were a dedicated Mobile group for mobile contacts, a connection troubleshooter, and the change from home site name characteristic to fun and games.

MSN Messenger received the update to version 7.0 on April 7, 2005. This version brought the wink feature that was previously only available in threedegrees. This version also delivers advertisements to the user including animated images, emoticons, and backgrounds. It also updated the contact list window style to match instant message windows, introduced Xbox Live integration feature, digital ink support, and handwriting recognition support. This is the latest version of MSN Messenger that can run on Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition.

The last version of MSN Messenger before the name change, version 7.5, was released on August 23, 2005. New features include the dynamic backgrounds feature and the "msnim", which allowed websites to provide links to automatically add a contact or start conversations. Additionally, a new voice clips feature allowed users to hold down the F2 key to record a message no longer than 15 seconds and send it to the recipient. The window for conversations has been slightly changed with a video button added. This version also introduced the Windows Installer for its automatic update feature. You can still run MSN Messenger 7.5 by changing the compatibility settings to Windows 2000.

Versions

Windows Messenger (1.0.0863)

The first release of the product was on July 22, 1999, which included only the basic features like plain text and a contact list.

The program started with too low a demand, and therefore it was considered to change the design for intranet use. However, on October 15 of that same year, a significant number of users began using the system, an issue that led to 120% saturation of the service.

Windows Messenger 2 (2.0.0083)

Released on November 16, 1999. It included a banner and the ability to slightly customize the chat window. It came as a Windows ME install option.

Windows Messenger 3 (3.0.0080)

Released on May 29, 2000. It included the ability to transfer files from PC to PC and PC to phone with audio capabilities.

Windows Messenger 4.0

Released on October 23, 2001. It included major changes to the user interface, the ability to group contacts, and support for voice chats. It was included by default in all versions of Windows XP.

MSN Messenger 5.0

We could call it a transitional MSN Messenger, which didn't last too long until the release of version 6. It included new features, such as 3D emoticons and the novelty of the avatar, this feature being refined in future versions.

MSN Messenger 6.0

Launched on July 17, 2003. It introduced significant improvements by incorporating elements such as emoticons, custom images (avatars), and backgrounds into its basic text.

MSN Messenger 6.1

Released on October 23, 2003. This version emphasized the chat window, making it possible for users to hide the window frame and menu bar, and also added the ability to change the window color.

MSN Messenger 6.2

Released on April 22, 2004. It was the last version of the MSN Messenger 6 series, and featured major changes; most notable were mobile-enabled contacts and the inclusion of a dedicated group for such contacts.

MSN Messenger 7.0

Launched on April 7, 2005. It introduced the option to send animated winks, and featured animated images to display emoticons and backgrounds. This version of MSN Messenger can be used on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista. Although it is an old version, it has all the features needed to communicate, such as: chat, video call and voice conversation, as well as features such as inserting images so that another user can see them, sending winks in a written conversation, send buzzes (function that emits a sound effect, which interrupts and opens the conversation window), also send emoticons along with your written message, and choose the color of your letter, size and font.

MSN Messenger 7.5

Released on August 23, 2005. This version introduced a new Passport credential system. New elements were dynamic backgrounds, nudges and voice messages. Voice messages allowed to record sound with the microphone for a certain time and then send it to the recipient. This version works with Windows XP or higher. With the release of version 7.5, MSN Messenger began using Windows Installer patches for its self-updating program. When a user selects "yes" to an update window, the app will download a specific file to update that version.

MSN Messenger 7.0 build 0820

Released on September 12, 2007, this new version was necessary to resolve some security vulnerability issues discovered in versions prior to WLM 8.1. This led to an auto-update being released for all insecure versions of MSN Messenger. With this, MSN Messenger users with vulnerable versions would need to update the program.

Despite version 7.5 being superior in number to version 7.0, currently that and other versions of MSN Messenger for Windows other than version 7.0 Build 0820 cannot connect to the network as a result of the security flaw.

MSN Web Messenger

MSN Web Messenger is a web tool that allows users of MSN Messenger to talk to their contact list from computers that do not have the program installed. It was released in 2004, and it is suitable for those who use MSN Messenger on public computers or those that are not supported. Although it officially claims to be compatible with Windows operating system only, it is actually compatible with almost any operating system if you use any supported browser like Firefox. Although an incompatibility warning appears within the home page, this is not a fatal error and allows it to run.

Criticism

The protocol is closed and Microsoft has made two attempts to block third-party clients. However the algorithms have been reverse engineered.

Each version of MSN Messenger that has been released has been entirely targeted at Windows system users, leaving Mac OS X system users with a limited client (called Microsoft Messenger for Mac), allowing them to only chat with users from MSN but without additional ways to interact (for example, the webcam).

Recently, Microsoft's Mac Business Unit has promised that future versions will include the feature, although it doesn't specify when that will happen. It should be noted that the current version of Messenger for Mac (7.0.1) already supports video conferencing, but only for corporate users, who use the Office Communications Server 2007 system at the company level.

GNU/Linux users have been further left out, requiring third-party software to log in and access their profile stored on MSN Messenger servers. That third party software is usually one of the many alternative instant messaging clients like aMSN, Emesene, Empathy, Pidgin (Gaim) or Kopete. Gaim and Kopete are included in many GNU/Linux distributions, giving access to other instant messaging protocols such as Jabber/XMPP, AOL, Yahoo! and ICQ.

MSN Messenger contains an ad bar which the other IM programs (Gaim, Trillian, etc.) do not. Some reviewers consider the interface overloaded, with no options to configure it unless you use third-party software.

On the plus side, MSN Messenger was the instant messaging service with the most users in the world. In the most recent versions, it also allowed you to add contacts from Yahoo! emails.