MSN is soon to release an online version of its popular Instant Messaging service. This means you will be able to chat with your contacts very similar like you do with MSN Messenger, but using just a web browser on any computer (at school, at work, at a friend's house or anywhere you can't install the MSN Messenger software). Much like and probably as Microsoft's reaction to the currently available third party services like WBMSN and eMessenger.
The only requirements to use MSN's official web-based MSN Messenger are:
- A web browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape 7.0 or later, or Mozilla 1.6 or later, running in Microsoft Windows;
- An Internet connection (56 Kbps or faster recommended);
- A Microsoft .NET Passport. If you have a hotmail.com or msn.com account, you already have a Passport.
- Popups enabled on the service's web site if you are using popup blocker software like the MSN Toolbar.
The BETA version is currently being tested at
http://webmessenger.msn-int.com
Because of the high demand to try it, it's unlikely you will be able to log in any time soon, but keep your eyes open!
Here's an overview of the features likely to be included in MSN Web Messenger: group conversations, customization of your text font, size and color, emoticons (no custom emoticons!), send and receive e-mail messages, add contacts to your contact list, toasts and sound alerts. Most probably not included in the web-based client are audio/video conversations, "fun & games" applications, file exchange, display pictures, window backgrounds and custom emoticons.
Like the contact list in MSN Messenger, your MSN Web Messenger contact list displays your current and pending contacts and information about their status. Unlike MSN Messenger however, your contacts are shown in fixed categories that cannot be renamed or deleted. You will see some or all of the following groups in your contact list: New e-mail messages, People who want to add you (click a name to accept or reject the invitation), Current conversations (click a name to open the current conversation window), Online (click a name to open a conversation window), Not online (click a name to send an e-mail message to this person).
See below for screen shots provided by Timothy for mess.be:
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Conversation Window
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Add a contact
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Contact list
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Approve Contact
And of course the MSN Web Messenger is still
temporarily unavailable.
Source:
mess.be