How to add a custom emoticon in MSN 6
1. Go to Tools -> Create Emoticons...
2. Choose Add...
3. Choose Find Image... and navigate to the desired image you wish to use on your hard drive.
4. Enter a keyboard shortcut to call up the custom emoticon when you are messaging your friends.
5. Give the emoticon a name (optional)
6. Click OK
How to change the names of your contacts
1. Download
Messenger Plus (a free add-on) and install (uncheck the box to keep out the adware)
2. open MSN Messenger, go to the Plus menu -> Preferences -> Contact List -> Custom Names
3. Click on a contacts email address and enter in the desired custom name in the Custom Name Text Box.