After ignoring a million ads for the latest version and coolest emoticons on their site, I finally gave in and just installed the darned thing. I have been loyal to MSN and Yahoo for the longest time(since 97). So although my expectations were nil (I will still use it anyway, because of contacts!), I have to say this messenger really is in-your-face and I have only 1 word - PATHETIC!
What’s new with version 7
Well, not much. I was hoping there would be some way to get rid of that annoying banner at the bottom of the main messenger window, but alas, it still remains.
Here’s what is really new
New Emoticons. Customizable options to add new emoticons
Flash enabled ’’Winks’’ - a new way to express ur sentiments.
A ’’nudge’’ feature to force ur contacts to respond
Handwriting feature that can be used to doodle using ur mouse.
Some more cosmetic changes to the look of the messenger
Features review
I am going to try to keep this as unbiased as possible. For very obvious reasons, I am going to compare it on par with yahoo messenger.
Emoticons
Nothing new about them. Same feature as the old one. They do have a couple of new ones, (like one for brb). Nothing eye-popping. Just like the older versions, you have the option to create ur own.
Winks
Well, this closely emulates the audibles on yahoo. The annoying feature of this is that the winks are pop-ups and do not display in the messenger window. If you want to be a discreet user at work, trying to sneak in messages to your friends, then ignore the winks. Even muted, they are easily visible. (This is also the same annoying pop-ups on msn web page that doesn’t allow you to browse unless u close it out and then the hyper-links stop working!!)
Nudge
Ha! A yahoo buzz without the sound is all this is!!!!! Need I say more??
Handwrite feature
Well, I was really looking forward to use this as I thought this would be interesting. But when I clicked on it, I was prompted to install some Journal software. I went ahead to do that. Then MS site prompted for Windows XP validation. ’’All-right’’ I said, thinking it should be a breeze since I have a valid copy. Unfortunately, that isn’t the end. I had to download another file onto my pc to get a validation key and then continue on the site for more validation, which I did and then what do you know, I was told I could not continue as my browser was incompatible and had to either use IE or download and open another file, which is when I gave up and shut the whole thing off.
Overall review
The two stars I have given is not for the bells and whistles but for what msn used to be earlier....just a simple messenger which didn’t annoy you and had all the needed features and nothing more.
Despite all this I will still continue to use it, for the sole reason that I have to talk to my contacts.