Windows+Live+Messenger

toc =Windows Live Messenger=



What is Windows Live Messenger?

 * Windows Live Messenger**, formerly and still commonly known as **MSN Messenger** or **MSN**, is the most popular and famous instant messaging freeware for users released in June 19th, 2006.

It is a part of Microsoft's “**Windows Live”** set of online services and Windows Live Messenger formerly named as MSN Messenger is one of the services that provided. Windows Live is the collective brand name for a group of Microsoft services which are currently under development. The new, consolidated online services are Microsoft's latest effort to compete against fast-growing competitors such as Google.

Using Windows Live Messenger, you can chat online via text, voice or even video conversation in real time with your friends, family or colleagues. It is much faster than e-mail, therefore it is a great choice for conversations.

One minor problem can be the size of the program. Compare to other messegers out there, Windows Live messenger's capacity tend to be bigger due to containing many new features which can affect computer performances to slow down. The program itself is 30mb so it is not recomanded if the user has low-quality computer.
 * Efficiency**: Windows Live Messenger allows users to create an online community. It Allows users to chat online anytime on the web. users can chat online via text, voice or even video conversation in real time with your friends, family or colleagues. It is much faster than e-mail, a great choice for conversations.


 * Utility**: As a free web service, Windows Live Messenger provides standard functions such as instant chatting, voice or video conversation in real time, file share, games etc. The major use of Windows Live Messenger is **instant messaging**. But there are other features which now come as standard including support for voice conversations,webcams, transferring files, and built-in two-player online games. Similar to many of Windows Live Messenger's competitors, MSN Messenger allows messages to be enlivened with graphical emoticons, Flash animations called winks, animated display pictures, styled text, and many more with third-party add-ons.


 * Helpful**: Windows Live Messenger is one of the better free instant-chatting service out there. Its ability to organize your contacts in an effective manner, user friendly interface, extra features such as file sharing or video conferencing, are all reasons that make it better. Moreover, Windows Live Messenger can be more than just a chatting program. Windows Live messenger can be a personal information storage to organize and store friends' informations such as contact informations including phone numbers, e-mail adress, adress, hobbies and so on.


 * Fun**: Similar to many of Windows Live Messenger's competitors, MSN Messenger allows messages to be more fun with graphical emoticons, Flash animations called winks, animated display pictures, styled text, and many more with third-party add-ons which can make the chatting more interesting and more fascinating to users. Also there are various games and applications available in Windows Live Messenger that can be accessed via the conversation window by clicking the games icon and challenging your "buddy".

The major use of Windows Live Messenger is **instant messaging**. But there are other features including support for voice conversations,webcams, transferring files, and built-in two-player online games. Similar to many of Windows Live Messenger's competitors, MSN Messenger allows messages to be more fun with graphical emoticons, Flash animations called winks, animated display pictures, styled text, and many more with third-party add-ons.





What are the Latest Changes?
First of all, it is totally **redesigned**. One of the strongest point of Windows Live Messenger's changes is the better and improved server performance. It checks and updates latest features automatically. There is an improved sign-in performance. Like previous version, your display name, status and personalization roam with you to any computer.



Windows Live Messenger offers smarter **contact cards** that give you more data and easier access to your friends. Unlike previous versions, one of the biggest changes of this version is that one can start conversations even when his or her status is set to //Appear Offline//. The contact will receive the message as soon as he or she signs in. The messages are simply stored and forwarded to the recipient the next time he or she comes online.




 * All** text **chat messages are now** saved **automatically** inside Live Messenger unless you order not to have this feature active. This feature can help users to remind themselves what they talked about in the past.




 * Color scheme** can be chosen for the entire application, including the status window, and not just the conversation windows. A paint brush menu is located below the personal message box in Windows Live Messenger, to help choosing colors. This will give more personal preferences to users while chatting with others.



The **"Sharing Folder"** feature of Windows Live Messenger is a great idea to share files between users which adapted the idea of direct transfer method of file distribution. When a user wants to deliver a file to another person, the "sharing folder" window appears. You can create a Sharing Folder by simply dragging files onto a contact name in Messenger. This will create an exact copy of the files on both you and your contact's computers, and create a Sharing Folder that can be accessed from Messenger, and on the desktop. The great point is that the Sharing Folder is easier to use than e-mail for sharing photos and documents. In a Sharing Folder, any time a file in the folder is added, modified, or deleted, those changes are synchronized with your contacts. The great plus is that you can always access a Sharing Folder from your own Windows desktop, even when you are offline.



In addition to **PC-to-PC calls** that have been supported in previous versions, Windows Live Messenger now supports **PC-to-phone calls**. In addition, the rates are 1.9 cents per minute to North America and Western Europe which is fairly cheaper than normal long distance calls.




 * Video conferencing** is one of the most powerful features of Windows Live Messenger. Actually, there was video conferencing feature in the past version but Windows Live Messenger now offers much more improved version of video conferencing. The major improvements are enhanced image resolution, full-screen view, voice/video synchronization, and ability to run multiple concurrent one-to-one video conversations. Now users can experience more stable and convenient video chatting.




 * SMS text messaging** is another great feature that Windows Live Messenger offers. Windows Live Messenger allows you to reach your contacts, within and beyond your Messenger list via SMS text messages. Once you have set up an account you can start sending text messages to any mobile phone and your contacts can also message back at your mobile when you are not reachable on the web. But the problem is it is hard to set the account on the web. It should be updated or fixed for more convenience.



There are various **games** and applications available in Windows Live Messenger that can be accessed via the conversation window by clicking the games icon and challenging your "buddy". This will eventually make the conversation window as a play ground.