MSN Web Messenger [BETA]

[detn8r]

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:

-Conversation Window
-Add a contact
-Contact list
-Approve Contact

And of course the MSN Web Messenger is still temporarily unavailable.

Source: mess.be

[Jeff]

More news: http://www.bigblueball.com/news2/article.asp?id=631

[detn8r]

The whole site doesn't even work at the moment. *rolls eyes*

I picked this comment up from Neowin:

quote:#28 Posted by JohnSmith70 on 27 Jul 2004 - 02:20

SCAM warning, the http://webmessenger.msn-int.com/ is not an official Microsoft web-site

As I'm sure some of you have realised, before blindly entering your personal e-mail address login details, that a quick query on the InterNIC whois shows that the domain msn-int.com is not registered to Microsoft, but in fact to TUCOWS INC.

And the funny thing is, when Faizan, Dale and I were talking to reps. through a one on one chat, someone assured Faizan that msn-int.com was infact NOT a MS site. Maybe TUCOWS is pwned my ms

[Jeff]

It's a real site. The rep that spoke with Faizan was either smoking crack, lying, or simply ignorant. They've used msn-int.com before for the MSN Messenger 6 beta.

Maybe they denied it exists because we're really not supposed to know it's there. This is, after all, not a public beta.

[Brian]

When detn8r first posted, I tried to access it – it was loading for like thirty seconds before I was kicked out.

I look forward whenever MSN decides to let us to try MSN Web Messenger!

[Sjoerd]

Doesn't work yet :-) Let's wait a bit.

[Jeff]

I get a "connection refused" error, which probably means that they've restricted access by IP address.

[Gandalf]

Just arrived in my inbox:

quote:Congratulations and welcome to another exciting testing opportunity from the MSN Beta Butterfly Program. We're super-excited to have you as a returning beta tester and are looking forward to hearing what you think about our latest products. Each of you continues to show us what a difference a great beta test team can do with for our products!

MSN Web Messenger lets you talk online and in real-time with friends and family using just a web browser! Use it on any shared computer - at school, at work, at a friend's house or anywhere you can't install the MSN Messenger software.

What is the difference between MSN Web Messenger and MSN Messenger?

MSN Messenger is a fully featured instant messaging program that you install on your own computer or one you have permission to install on. MSN Web Messenger enables you to quickly and easily use basic instant messaging features on a web browser on any computer without installing any software.

Sweet!

[FrutZle]

http://webmessenger.msn.com works just fine, though they do warn that you might not be able to log in as they limit the number of simultaneous users. I haven't tried it though, so I'm only talking about the page, not the service

[Gandalf]

Good point, FrutZle. The official thread was posted here: MSN Web Messenger Officially Released but someone should've locked this discussion.