Is it just me or have they changed barely anything once again? Being able to search your contact list is good but have they actually changed anything else apart from visuals?

The offline messaging is a nice addition, probably the only thing ICQ had over MSN Messenger.

The offline messaging is a nice addition, probably the only thing ICQ had over MSN Messenger.

Only just noticed that nice one :thumbsup:

Not seen it!

Is it something to do with the new Hotmail thing, which I think is called Windows Live?

Not seen it!

Is it something to do with the new Hotmail thing, which I think is called Windows Live?

It's another thing in the line of windows live, MS Live (http://ideas.live.com), you either have to join that site or be invited by a existing messenger live user

It has shared folders. You and each of your contacts have a folder you can drop pics, music, documents or anything into. The folder then syncronises between the 2 computers. Easy filesharing!

You can send each other animated backgrounds too.

It's all very garish - green & orange before you set the options.

I managed to get myself invited to download it.

Mine wasn't green and orange, but that may be because I already had my chat windows set to purple as default, so my contact list header was a lovely purple.

Now I have invitations (not sure how many), so if anyone wants to download it, PM me with your MSN Messenger e-mail address. It only works with XP btw.

There is the option to uninstall and re-install MSN 7, if you find you don't like it.

This thing is really annoying me!! It totally crashed my computer when I first installed it, until I figured I mustn't attempt to sign in if my Norton is running. Thus, when I want to use messenger I have to totally disable my internet security which I don't like (even though I'd selected the 'permit always' option). I also don't like the whole expanding thing when you run your mouse over a person.

If anyone else wants to try it out I've got a load of invites if you PM me your e-mail address. But don't say I didn't warn you!

This thing is really annoying me!! It totally crashed my computer when I first installed it, until I figured I mustn't attempt to sign in if my Norton is running. Thus, when I want to use messenger I have to totally disable my internet security which I don't like (even though I'd selected the 'permit always' option). I also don't like the whole expanding thing when you run your mouse over a person.

If anyone else wants to try it out I've got a load of invites if you PM me your e-mail address. But don't say I didn't warn you!
Reiterating advice already given in other threads about Norton.....GET RID!

Get AVG free or one of the other recommended free AVs. AVG doesn't interfere with Messenger 8 Beta.

I vote Avast - its integration with OL/Entourage is wonderful.

Messenger isn't all that different, but I like it.

I vote AVG. :D

(Ditch)

(Cheers)

Reiterating advice already given in other threads about Norton.....GET RID!

Get AVG free or one of the other recommended free AVs. AVG doesn't interfere with Messenger 8 Beta.

Thanks for the advice, very useful actually as my Norton subscription has just run out and I'm in the process of deciding what AV to go with now. Especially as Norton also doesn't allow you to open iTunes either. Cheers! :)

Is it just me or have they changed barely anything once again? Being able to search your contact list is good but have they actually changed anything else apart from visuals?

They added "Sharing Folders", which I'm not entirely sure what the point of is. Unless you like giving people access to your files, and wasting your uplaod speedz.

Other than that, well, it looks pretty...shiny.

If I was stronger-willed I'd switch to Gaim.

/edit: BTW, if anyone wants a beta invite, PM me or something. I have a load.

OK, a question!

I've worked out how to change the colour of that top panel, but I've seen screenshots where the whole messenger window is colour themed (blue). When I change it only the top goes blue and the rest of the window is grey and looks rather dull. Does anyone know how to change it?

id like to try this out if someone could send me an invitation to use it pm me and il give u my email address.

Thanks

OK, a question!

I've worked out how to change the colour of that top panel, but I've seen screenshots where the whole messenger window is colour themed (blue). When I change it only the top goes blue and the rest of the window is grey and looks rather dull. Does anyone know how to change it?
As far as I know, you can't do it with the Beta version. Perhaps it will be part of the full version. I've noticed quite a few things which weren't as they were with the full version of Messenger 7, but are similar to the Beta version of Messenger 7, and that all changed when the full version was released.

So far, I like this version, especially the changing the colour scheme.

The file sharing option can be useful, especially as you can share a number of files at once with one of your contacts. Each shared folder is for one contact, and it isn't sharing of all files on your pc.

I'm not keen on the green man icons in the contact list ~ they're a bit too green for my taste, and look like smudges. I prefer the icons on the old version of Messenger, but this may change with the full version of Messenger 8.

I'm not sure I like the way it sorts the contacts into status, rather than just whether they are online or offline. I found that bit a little confusing to start off with.

:( I'm very confused :suspect:

On another forum, I found this screen shot: http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wlm11la.jpg

Some features have reverted to look more like messenger 7.5.

My friend who sent my my original BETA invite also says his looks like that, and it's supposedly exactly the same version as mine. I think MSN just doesn't like me.

Mine looks like this (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/kentboy/Untitled-1copy.jpg)

:( I'm very confused :suspect:

On another forum, I found this screen shot: http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wlm11la.jpg

Some features have reverted to look more like messenger 7.5.

My friend who sent my my original BETA invite also says his looks like that, and it's supposedly exactly the same version as mine. I think MSN just doesn't like me.
At the top of that version it says "Windows Live Messenger", whereas the version I have, and also Kentboy's, says "Messenger 8.0 BETA". The screen shot appears to show what the full version is going to look like. Where is your friend based? I'm not sure, but I've heard that there is a version that is being used with Vista which is purportedly more or less the full version.

:( I'm very confused :suspect:

On another forum, I found this screen shot: http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wlm11la.jpg

That's the newest beta, only just been released to a select few (the elite!). Eventually you'll get an invite to that one, or an upgrade notification, but for now stick with the one you have.

At the top of that version it says "Windows Live Messenger", whereas the version I have, and also Kentboy's, says "Messenger 8.0 BETA". The screen shot appears to show what the full version is going to look like. Where is your friend based? I'm not sure, but I've heard that there is a version that is being used with Vista which is purportedly more or less the full version.

Mine does say "Windows Live Messenger" in the same place as that one does.

That's the newest beta, only just been released to a select few (the elite!). Eventually you'll get an invite to that one, or an upgrade notification, but for now stick with the one you have.

:( Ok I guess I'll just have to wait. I'm really not liking this version I have but if it means I've got a better chance of getting the newer one I'll stick with it.

The offline messaging is a nice addition, probably the only thing ICQ had over MSN Messenger.

Yahoo messenger has had offline messaging since at least 1999 as well as ICQ, cant understand why MSN have taken so long.

:( I'm very confused :suspect:

On another forum, I found this screen shot: http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wlm11la.jpg

Some features have reverted to look more like messenger 7.5.

My friend who sent my my original BETA invite also says his looks like that, and it's supposedly exactly the same version as mine. I think MSN just doesn't like me.
This morning, I received an update message for Messenger Beta, which I've installed, and it does look more like the old Messenger 7.5, and the whole messenger window is coloured-themed.

I like it:thumbsup:

I still have a couple of invitations for Windows Live Messenger, if anyone's interested.

:)

A friend of mine called "Dave" has been offered this from Microsoft. However, he has a "cough, cough" copied version of XP. Could Microsoft detect this if dave loads up the beta version for testing purposes. I will pass your coments onto dave!

A friend of mine called "Dave" has been offered this from Microsoft. However, he has a "cough, cough" copied version of XP. Could Microsoft detect this if dave loads up the beta version for testing purposes. I will pass your coments onto dave!

Tell your mate Dave, in theory yes. Also tell him he has nothing to worry about :)