Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0566 Released to Beta Testers

[princeG]

A new version of Windows Live Messenger has been released to the product's beta-testers. Big changes in 8.0.0562 compared to 8.0.0366, especially to the user interface and the contact list. The Sharing Folders feature now sports a status and progress bar, as well as an activity log in a separate window. There's a new voice platform, and overall improvements in terms of reliability (less bounced messages), stability (less crashes) and performance (quicker sign in process). Other changes include:

Contact List

• Nickname in black, personal status message in soft gray.
• A new logo.
• Your Display Picture and buttons aligned to the left again.
• Word Wheel layout changed, Buddy List buttons now placed at the right hand side.
• New icons for expanding groups.
• Tab icons placed back inside the main window.
• Less spacing between contacts.

Conversation Window

• Ink/type tabs on the right.

UPDATE from the managed beta website:

By now most of you should be aware that build 566 has been released and is being automatically updated for everyone on the beta. If you are using build 562 you are also aware of a bug with the automatic update where it continually asks you to updated but you are still left with build 562. Here is the work-around:

1. Uninstall build 562 by going to Control Panel -> Add Remove Programs and removing "Messenger Beta"
2. After uninstalling it may appear that you still have Messenger installed, if that is the case try signing in and let the automatic update kick in. Proceed with the automatic update and install. After installing, you should now have build 566.
3. If you were able to fully uninstall build 562 during step one you can go to https://connect.microsoft.com/downlo...aspx?SiteID=50 and download build 566 from there.

Build 562 was intended for Managed beta testers only but since many people outside of the Managed beta may have installed a leaked build they all are affected by this without the benefit of this information. Feel free to post these instructions on your blogs or in public newsgroups. Any moment now, the public download link (http://g.msn.com/1csbeta/Mess80_EN) will be pointing to build 566.

[shifter]

Not to mention it's now ugly as sin! Blech! What possesed them to make it so damn ugly, it doesn't matter which color you change the color scheme to, it all sucks. I liked it before. why? why?

I actually like the way it looks a bit or maybe I've gotten used to the uglyness, or perhaps my visual style and background helps it look better. Either way it is not bad, but I definitely expect a better looking user interface for the final build. Other than that the features aren't really intriguing to me and not that different than the current 7.5.

[DrBroccoli]

I am agreeing with Shifter, it's definitley ugly as can be now. They ruined it, I actually liked the default skin/theme, and generally I don't like default anything. I hope they remake it.

[Jeff]

Hmmm... I got prompted to upgrade (can't login without upgrading). After it installs the upgrade, I try to sign-in and I get the same message again ("A newer version of the beta...").

Anyone else get this problem?

Going to go try a reboot to see it that clears it up.

EDIT: In spite of the implication from the startup message that you can auto-install the upgrade, you have to fully uninstall (Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs) the old beta, the download the new beta and install again.

[MrEggsalad]

I used to have that problem of the always asking, then when it said "Repair or REmove", I kept that window up, while having the MSN Messenger folder deleted, then I clicked Repair and that did the job. Annoyed the heck outta me last night though, why have this bug? Why have uglyness? MSN has killed itself trying to get to Windows Live.

[shifter]

I upgraded my beta without any problems whatsoever. But I sure do wish I could go back. It feels so dull and lifeless. I mean what happened to there trademark bright blue? The colors are gross, when I apply red, it turns pink, every color is sucked dry!

They better fix it for the final release or I'm not using it!

[Kudo]

I like it :) it is a clean interface,anyway if the final stays this way I am sure they are going to be a lot of skins available so...... ;)