Beta Testers Get Windows Live Messenger

[Jeff]

The next generation Windows Live Messenger 8, formerly known as MSN Messenger, has been released to beta testers. I've downloaded and installed it, and I like the little changes to the interface.

I'll be posted a full-fledged review later, but for now, a few initial observations.

• The beta is not open to the public. It is open to the "Beta Butterflies" (previously registered beta testers) and new beta testers by invitation. Any current beta tester can give you an invitation.
• Want an invitation? Add your name to the list.
• I've also posted some screenshots on Flickr.
• It works through my corporate firewall (MSN Messenger 7.5 did not).
• Favorite feature? So far, the integration of the full menus in "frameless" mode, similar to Windows Media Player 10.
• Product Manager Leah has posted the official feature list on Inside Windows Live Messenger, the development team's blog.

I don't like the Windows Live moniker (what does this mean for Mac users), but I generally like the direction of the new version.

[Jeff]

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.

[Red Devil]

Ah, that would be why I can't download the Beta then. Interesting how the glitch only happens in Gmail... Erm... what do you do if you can't find the url in the source?

[shifter]

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.

[Red Devil]

Thanks Shifter, I found the url. Probably didn't help that I was using Firefox either. Unfortunetly, im now being told that the url is bad. Microsoft = Evil.

[Eagle_Kiwi]

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.

[MrEggsalad]

You can check out my review of it here at http://www.mreggsalad.net/displaycom...php?cid=&id=87

[Eagle_Kiwi]

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".

[Spike]

The official name for MSN 8 is "Windows Live Messenger". They're calling it Messenger 8.0 Beta for now, just like the Windows Vista project was (and still is) called "Windows Longhorn". Don't expect beta releases to be perfect, either, that's why it's a beta, they haven't fully tested it yet.

[Eagle_Kiwi]

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:

! Nicknames—It’s your freakin’ buddy list – you should pick the names on it.
If you call him “honey-baby” and her “Grandma”, that’s how they should show up. Whatever YOU enter as a contact’s nickname is exactly how s/he’ll show up in your list. Stop guessing at obscure friendly names, or trying to distinguish between five Michaels and Marias. You don’t have to thank us for this one, we should apologize it took so long.

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.