Instant messaging at its best (Microsoft MSN Messenger Service)

Member Name: ajbluestar

Product:	Microsoft MSN Messenger Service
Date:	26/03/09 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: keep in touch live with friends and family, send and receive files, make voice calls free,

Disadvantages: taken over by facebook somewhat,can be addictive

Msn messenger or MSN as it is simply known is an instant messaging service first developed by Microsoft in 1999. Since 2005 it became part of Microsoft's Windows live service and is now referred to as Windows Live Messenger.

The basic function of this program is to be able to talk to your friends (contacts) when they are online in instant messages. In order to be able to do this you normally require an MSN or hotmail account but more recently it is possible to connect with most email accounts even if they are not MSN ones. There is also a possibilty now to send messages if contacts are offline and they will be received once the contact comes online the next time.

This program also has a number of other features. These include emotions which are pictures or small animations which show what you may want to express in pictorial form rather than just words. Also there are nudges and winks which are animations with sound in order to attract attention and show expression. Another feature is file transfer/sharing. This can be used to share your files that you have on your computer with your contacts. This may be pictures, documents or media files as well as others. Another feature is the ability to make and receive a voice call. For this you will require a microphone or a headset. There is also a few games that can be played whilst you are chatting.

All these features as well as the main one of allowing you to have instant messaging conversations is great and allows you to keep in contact with your friends and family. Also voice calls will not cost any extra money other than the internet charges you already incur.

I find MSN or Windows live messenger as it is now known to a be a useful way to keep in contact and also send and receive files as well as having the ability to make voice calls.With the greater use of social networking sites such as facebook which also has a chat facility within it as well as other ways to keep in touch, maybe the use of MSN has declined somewhat but I still think it is a useful program to have and use.

Summary: Great instant messenger

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