Great fun (Microsoft MSN Messenger Service)

Member Name: buchanan17

Product:	Microsoft MSN Messenger Service
Date:	03/10/00 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very easy to use, seemless with IE5.5

Disadvantages: you won't like it if you hate microsoft, but all the alternatives are AOl, so is that any better :)

This is Microsofts attempt to beat up AOL, owner of ICQ and the AOL messenger service. AOL didn't want to let Microsoft in on the act, so it is open warfare between the monolithic monsters.

I prefer MSN - it is seemlessly integrated with IE5.5 - so very convienient. It is integrated into a hotmail email account which is much faster than many web based email accounts and a useful depository for all the junk mail you will get signing up to things. YOu actually need a hotmail account, or similar, to run MSN.

MSN will then open automatically with your PC boot, or from a button in IE5.5. Once open you get popups when a new mail arrives, or a friend comes on line. They of course need MSN too as compatability across messengers will not happen. You can search for new friends, or invite them.

The messenger window is very easy to use, and you can also create proper smileys etc - typing in :) will produce a happy yellow face for example. You can invite friends to conferences - I haven't tried this so don't know about it.

So - I am on this, and willing to chat to all and sundry! get IE5.5 and try finding me under buchanan17@hotmail.com

Summary: