I'd Be Lost Without It - I'm Not Gonna Lie (Microsoft MSN Messenger Service)

Member Name: GramiWay

Product:	Microsoft MSN Messenger Service
Date:	27/07/08 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads of features, ability to chat with anybody, anywhere for free

Disadvantages: Sometimes very slow and can cause problems

I have to say I could easily cope without the various websites that clog up the world wide web, but if I had to suffer without MSN then I would crack and probably top myself.
A depressing thought but that's how great this piece of software really is. Ok maybe a bit overboard as sometimes it can equally be a pain in the behind.

MSN Messenger is basically an instant messenging system distributed by Microsoft that has been releasing versions since 1999. The best thing about it is that its absolutely free!
Since the first edition obviously lots of revamps and extra features have been added and as of now I think I'm using Version 7.5 as well as a supporting 'add on' program MSN Plus.

I'd reccomend MSN above the other IM programs like AOL or Yahoo purely because of the sheer number of people using them and also because it looks and feels t he most comfortable.
Installing the software is fairly simple. It just involves downloading it and following the links from there on. Installation doesn't take that long at all. However you should make sure that you have a hotmail account set up first otherwise you won't be able to sign in.

It's easy and quick to do all of this as all the relevant information can be found by a simple Google search or by going directly to www.msn.co.uk. Messenger works on every PC though if you plan to use it on a Mac you should head to the apple.com site instead.
Once Messenger has loaded you can input your hotmail address and password to 'sign in'. You can choose for it to remember your address or password if you wish. The best thing is it can remember multiple passwords which is great if more than one person is going to be using the machine. Once you're signed in you can see who is online and start conversations with them either just by text, or through microphone or webcam depending on whether you have these bits of hardware installed separately.

Below is a quick rundown of the features available:

Using the menu bar at the top of MSN after 'File' there is the 'Contacts' tab. This allows you to add a friend to MSN by typing their hotmail address into the box provided. You can also edit their details or if they piss you off, delete them.
Contacts are usually displayed on your main screen by their online/offline status though you can choose to organise them into groups if you wish for things such as 'Friends'/'Family'/'Coworkers' etc.

To start a conversation with a contact you just have to click on them [when they're online obviously] and a separate box will open enabling you to then type your message or select the various other buttons in the window. You can send files, play games, start a webcam or microphone chat or invite other people to the conversation.
You can also block them if they're a pain. This isn't like deleting a contact completly as they still remain on your MSN but they can't see you when you're online. Most of the chat options discussed above can also be located by using the 'Action' tab in the top menu though I have never made use of that tab as of yet as I don't really see the need.

'Tools' allows you to look at the emoticons and background you have avaliable to use in your conversations. MSN comes with its own custom emoticons/backgrounds but you can easily add your own by saving the image from a website and clicking on the 'Emoticons' link and then 'Create' and its pretty straight forward from there. The most important feature of this tab is the 'Options' button. This loads a separate window and allows you to change your personal message, your status [you can be set as Away or Busy if you don't want to be disturbed], allows you to create a folder to save your conversations and so much more.

This is just a basic overview obviously of some of the program's features but by playing around for a little while you can customise it to suit your personal preferences and needs and it's not really difficult at all.

The only problem I've ever had with MSN is that sometimes it randomly freezes and signs you out or on occasion refues to let you sign in at all and comes up with ridiculous 'Troubleshooting' messages. Whilst I accept that every program has its bugs and flaws, it's still pretty annoying when you have god knows how many people yapping at you!
But I wouldn't get rid of MSN for anything as its a great way to stay in touch with people and really get a full feel of the online social web.

Summary: The bible of the internet world

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