Beta Testers Get Windows Live Messenger

Microsoft has been very Scrooge-like with their beta invitations. To start, on their official blog they began deleting requests for invites to beta test their latest IM client, Windows Live Messenger. Those who were accepted to the beta program didn't get any invitations to share initially, and when they did, there were very few (I've gotten two so far).

There have also been problems reported with people receiving invitations in Gmail. The download "button" that appears in the invitation is non-functional if you receive the invite in Gmail. There is a workaround (view source, find the URL, cut-and-paste), but it's a long way from polished.

I'm hoping the team starts opening the door to the beta a wee bit more. 10 invites would be nice; 50 sounds even better.

You actually need to click Gmail's "Show Original" link in the message to view the emails Source Code. Then look for the link that looks like this:
http://ideas.live.com/AcceptInvitation.aspx?[bunchofletters&numbers]

Then you'll need to sign in, and then when you get to the next download button, it won't work in firefox either, so you'll need to view the source of the page again to find the download link.

Microsoft sure is making it difficult for Gmail and Firefox users. :(

Ahh, glad to find this thread.
So - it's not "just me"!
I happen to use Mozilla Thunderbird for my email, and I too couldn't click the download link - but I managed to extract the code from source, and downloading the whole 11.7MB now.

Thank you for precious Invite, Jeff. :)

Problems I find: (WLM 8.0.0365)

• Worst, its initial load time! My YM takes 6 secs (298 pals on my list), ICQ takes 13 secs (404 pals), PalTalk takes 10 secs (159 pals) ...... and WLM takes *40* secs, despite my having only 117 on that list. :-(
• WLM doesn't "remember" my choice of Contact Card Picture OR my Personal Message from session to session. It seems to just pop up a fresh "random"pic for me each time.
• MS STILL doesn't follow the industry standard of using "my default browser" - it seems I.E. rules, regardless of what the USER might have set.

And finally, I hope they settle on a CONSISTENT name sometime - it is nonsensical these days for anyone to produce a program that heads itself "Messenger 8.0 Beta".

Hey, I just found something GOOD about WLM (so, after 6 years, perhaps I can finally USE it !)

This is from the (excellent!) "Official Feature List" Jeff refers to in his introduction above:
I agree, about $&%$# time!!!

And today I've tried the voice and the video, both of which appear to work well (even at my dialup speed) - so I'm ready to handle the upcoming MSN/YM interoperability from BOTH sides now. :)