Email Taken To A Whole New Level (Microsoft MSN Messenger Service)

Member Name:

Product:	Microsoft MSN Messenger Service
Date:	08/07/02 (200 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free, Fun, Quick

Disadvantages: Must Have Hotmail Account

First it was the letter, then the phone, then the fax, then the email and now the messenger. What is the world coming to when man doesn't even have to leave his PC to tell his boss he isn't going to be in the next day?


MSN Messenger is hotmail taking email to a whole new level, rather than sending an email and then having to wait hours for a reply, why don't you just tell the person to log onto MSN messenger the service which provides real time chatting.


Like text messages, MSN is an application where two or more people talk to each other over a server through the typed words. The thing with messenger is that the messages are delivered immediately and quickly so the person at the other end can also reply.


The service is free and is downloadable from the hotmail account. It comes as a relatively small download considering the world that it opens up and you just install it onto your computer, it is as simple as that. However before you can start using the service you must have a hotmail account or at least an MSN passport in order to be able to log onto the service. This is the disadvantage because if you have an account with Yahoo or Lycos you will not be able to use it here, but in saying this some of the other email services have similar products to messenger although they are inferior in my opinion because more people have hotmail accounts than any other network.


Apart from one on one communication, there is also the possibility of group conversations and debates which is a feature which adds another angle to messenger. However the disadvantage to this is that is can sometimes get pretty hectic and you find yourself trying to reply to ¾ people at once.


The layout is pretty simple and adding friends and family is also very basic. Simply follow the signs, which indicate what you want to do, and in no time you will be one your way. Adding new friends to very easy and all one has to do i
s type in the email address of the recipient and then they will receive a short message providing they have the software asking them if they want to allow you to send them messages. If they don't have the software then they will receive a short email with a link to download the software. I don't see why they should ever refuse.


The help option isn't huge because the program is very small and basic to use, everything is pretty self-explanatory and there is no complex procedures. I've never had any problems with the service apart from a few times when it has been down for modification.


The plug-ins and updates are very comprehensive and easily obtained. Don't go searching for the latest add on. Messenger will do that for you and will give you a message saying that your software needs updating. It's as simple as that.


So what are waiting for? Besides, there is no time like the present.

Summary: