[DanielM]

As most of us have, I have tried all the instant messaging software, and am now only using SKYPE.
Does everything from instant messenging, voice, file transfer, etc. For voice, you need a noise-cancellation headset at both ends for unbelievable clarity. I use it to call Europe constantly. You can even call to a landline in Europe for 2 cents a minute.
Great for transfering files and conference calls.
If you haven't tried it yet, do yourself a favor and visit their web site, www.skype.com
It's free.
I have a number of clients who now use it extensively for transfering large documents. You know when your contact is online and can watch them download while the files are being sent.
If you decide to open an account, I suggest you use your own name, just like a telephone book. That way your friends can find you easier.
Basically, it has virtuall eliminated my long-distance telephone service.

[powerbrent]

I remember an open-source, Mac program was able to handle video on MSN Messenger network. So I thought they would add this ability to their OWN application. I guess I was expecting WAY too much from M$.

[NeoX]

In reply to:

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May I take it from your sarcastic reply that there are two Microsoft instant messaging applications? And by extension this one is the enterprise version, and there is a consumer stand alone version called MSN Messenger?

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There are two versions of Messenger, for Windows. The Mac version is now Microsoft Messenger:Mac version 5.0. It is an upgrade to MSN Messenger, which was geared primarily as a personal client. But now there is a corporate tab, so you can log in to a corporate messenger (live communication) server and a personal tab to log into your personal account. Sounds confusing but it really isnt.
Now I wish they would combine them on the PC/Windows version too. There is where people may get confused because on the PC there is a Windows Messenger 5.1 and a MSN Messenger 7.1 . Windows Messenger being for corporate (or personal use) and MSN Messenger strictly personal. To make it even better you can have both apps installed and running at the same time, talk about confusing. They need to follow the lead of their Mac BU. Of course the Windows Version does have remote desktop, whiteboard, audio/video chat and a whole lot more. If they where on parity with the Windows version, feature to feature, and did it right like iChat, I know a lot of people that would switch to messenger.
Regards,

[Nobody]

Yow.
Went to Skype and in a couple of minutes, I was talking to my buddy in Munich. Clear as a bell. Now we are setting up a conference call from Dallas, Munich, Hong Kong and London.
Good thing we all have either PC 2000, XP or Mac OS X.
Looked it up. This is from the Kazaa guys. Read a couple of old reviews
http://www.macworld....ngmac/index.php

http://www.pcstats.c...eid=1563&page=5
Things change since then.
Thanks DanielM

[tabasco_hot]

I just downloaded it from MacTopia, and it seems to be just fine. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[tabasco_hot]

You can download it on this page.
http://www.microsoft...id=msnmessenger

[seattlemacuser]

Mercury Messenger has a webcam feature similar to the PC version that is compatible with Msft Messenger. It is beta for Mac OS X but seems to work fine. Check it out at:
http://www.mercury.t...dex.php?sub=Mac

[kms007]

They bumped this version from 4.0 to 5.0 for no apparent reason. Use Adium instead.

[funkboy]

MSN is incredibly popular with any group of people who must use Windows a lot. And why not? It's built into every computer with Windows. I prefer iChat since it's on every Mac... and I love Adium to bits and pieces because it lets me do MSN and iChat.
MSN is common knowledge to people in the 18-24 age bracket in the US, and especially at my college. My MSN list is three times as long as my AIM list... but I talk more often and of more technical, interesting things to my AIM buddies. I've also almost only met my AIM buddies online first, whereas my MSN buddies are people I've met in real life and they know, "Oh, I have hotmail, so I can chat with you with MSN."

[MacGod]

I, too, would love to see video support come to Microsoft Messenger (nee MSN Messenger). I can second the post of the Canadian above; all my friends are on MSN, I don't know a single soul on AIM, Yahoo Messenger, and only a few holdouts use ICQ these days (and they all have MSN accounts which they prefer anyway). Only my dad and brother are on iChat.
Skype is great, but it has limited utility for me, simply because so few people I know are on it. It is a great program, and has some wonderful capabilities, but with nobody on my contact list, it doesn't do me a lot of good. Hence my desire for Microsoft Messenger with video support.
For what it's worth, I really enjoy Proteus, though, sadly, it also lacks video.

[Deejemon]

www.messengerformac.com is a site with news (leading up to the 5.0 release) and a petition calling for Microsoft to provide Mac users with feature parity in Messenger that is on par with their Windows counterparts. The domain seems to be redirecting to Microsoft's site; not sure if this is because Microsoft have taken over the domain name or the site is just directing people there to get the new version. In any case, you can get to the site at the following address:

http://rjt-online.my...r/news.php?ref=

[Nobody]

What a night. Well days for one.
Skyped my buds in Munich, Londone, Hong Kong and Dallas to get Skype and 4 of us spent nearly 2hours gabbing and it didn't cost a cent. Hadn't seen a couple for 3 years. so had a lot to talk about. Used MSN, ICQ and the lot. But why type when you can talk. Started with 3 while my bud in London went and bought a noise-cancellation headset. Def need one to counter the feedback.
Now I am using my MSN to notify more contacts, Not all. Just the ones that I may want to talk directly. If you know their email address, its a snap even if the don't have Skype yet. Love the idea of sending files (we are all system manager and programmers), although is it but faster to turn off the voice first .
Have iChat, but found this a lot clearer, and I can talk to more PCers.
Glad I noticed the MSN News announcement. Thank you Macworld and DanielM

[jelockwood]

In reply to:

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I remember an open-source, Mac program was able to handle video on MSN Messenger network. So I thought they would add this ability to their OWN application. I guess I was expecting WAY too much from M$.

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Your referring to Mercury I believe (an open source MSN Messenger compatible client). This indeed can do webcam both ways but can only (at the moment) do video conferencing in one direction on a Mac (it can do it in both directions on Linux). Still that is video conferencing with 1 more direction than Microsoft have managed!
Microsoft MBU - the first word is Macintosh the last should be Useless, I leave it as an exercise for the reader to fill in the middle word.

[tekkster]

This thread seems mostly over, so now's a good time for me to chime in....
What's up with all the haters out there.....
Ragging on Microsoft or Apple constantly.
It's like reading the wars between die-hard democrats vs republicans. Same senseless animosity without intelligent discourse.....what a waste of time.
I love my Mac, but when there's a good product, I don't see any reason to uselessly rag on the product overall without trying to find what's good about it.....sheesh....
I use Skype, Adium, iChat (for video and file transfers), MSN, and Yahoo Messenger (J)....
Skype and Adium are my two staples so it's unlikely I'll use the new Microsoft Messenger very much. Still, I downloaded it, and frankly, like it. One of the things they added is support for more emoticons. I don't use them much myself, but when others do, I used to not be able to see emoticons all the time, which meant some of them weren't supported. Now, I can see all of them (haven't tested the animated ones yet). I also like the new interface, certainly it's a more OSX-like design the previous versions.
At the end of the day, having too many chat programs open simultaneously is annoying for me personally, so I'll probably stick with Adium and Skype.
Still, great effort from Microsoft.