It's Good To Talk (Microsoft MSN Messenger Service)

Member Name: lauraaah

Product:	Microsoft MSN Messenger Service
Date:	22/05/04 (725 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: See review

Disadvantages: See review

I've been using MSN Messenger now for 6 maybe 7 years, and quite possibly used it almost everyday, which I think, should qualify me to write a review on it!! There have been many different upgrades over the years, and it's currently on version 6.1.

MSN gives you the ability to talk to your family and friends on any computer that has it running, meaning you can talk to anyone you like no matter where you are in the world. However, it's not just your average chatroom. With MSN, the only people who you can talk to are those who you have personally added, or you have allowed to add you, to your own contacts list. Every user has their own personal contact list, and when you log in, these contacts appear on screen, and from there you may talk to whoever is online at the time. MSN is very simple to use, and now includes audio conversations, viewing eachother via webcams, video conferencing, sending files & photos, playing games (such as bejewelled and noughts & crosses!), sending messages to mobiles, and many other fun little features. MSN also tells you as soon as you get an e-mail and when a contact comes online.

To use MSN you must first have a .net passport. To obtain one of these you can sign up at www.msn.com, or the more popular method of signing up for a Hotmail e-mail account at www.hotmail.com. Once you have done this, you can download MSN, again from www.msn.com. You must select which operating system you are using to download the correct version, (e.g. Windows XP, Mac, etc) and then "Save As" when the 'Save file' window appears on your screen. When the file has been saved to your computer you can then install MSN by double clicking the file, wherever it has been saved on your computer (you get the option of where the file will be saved). &
#79;nce the installation is completed, you're ready to go!!

On first use, you will have to enter your log in name and password, and can then save the details so you don't have to enter them everytime you wish to use MSN. However, you will have to re-enter your details if you use MSN on a different computer. On your own computer where the details are saved, you will only have to click the '"Log In" button. Nevertheless, you may change this so your computer doesn't remember your details if you so wish.

You will also be asked to enter your name as you wish other people to know you. This can be anything you like, and can be changed to anything you wish at a later date, whenever you wish. You do not have to choose an original name, as your actual log in name gives you individuality.

On first log on you will have 0 contacts. You must add people who already have a .net passport, or invite them to join up for one. If someone has already added you, an alert box will appear, asking you if you will allow this person onto your contact list, or block them so they cannot see when you are online. This alert box will appear every single time someone adds you to their contact list. When you are online the contacts that are on your "allow" list will be able to see you, and can therefore talk to you whenever they so wish, and vice versa. However, if you don't wish for people to talk to you, you can either block particular contacts (meaning they cannot see your online status) or choose to "appear offline" (meaning none of your contacts can see you online). Other statuses you can choose from are Away, Be Right Back, Busy, Out To Lunch or On The Phone.

You can choose to view your contacts in separate ways. Either in 2 groups, being those contacts online and thos
e offline, or you can name your own sub-categories (e.g. friends/family/work contacts/others). You may also choose to view your contacts by the name they give, or by their e-mail address.

To start a conversation with somebody, you just need to double click their name. If someone speaks to you, a flashing icon will appear on the taskbar, and you may open that box to speak with them. From here you may change your font, invite the contact to start an audio conversation, or any other of the options stated before. MSN also gives you the ability to use icons such as animated smiley faces.

There are many advantages when using MSN Messenger. For example, you may keep in touch with anybody very cheaply. You can have audio conversations for so much cheaper than phone calls, as you only have to pay your internet rate. You can have as many conversations at one time as you like, and you can have several people in one conversation. It also helps against children talking to strangers, as you must know a person's email address to add someone, and if someone you don't want on your list for some reason is, they can be blocked and deleted, never to be spoken to again. However, MSN isn't perfect either. Remember that no matter how often you talk with someone via MSN, you can not always tell if, for example, when talking via text, someone is being sarcastic, which can often lead to crossed wires between you. MSN Messenger also has a tendency to crash, and go down for a period of time as well.

However, as far as conversation over the internet goes, MSN definitely does it's job. There is no limit to how many contacts you can have, and therefore proves to be an efficient way of keeping in touch with all your friends and family.

Summary: