Microsoft Messenger 7: A Baby Step Forward
Microsoft’s seventh version of its Messenger chat client for the Mac adds two of the most requested features from the Windows side: video conferencing and voice chat. That is, if you’re on a corporate network running Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. When using Messenger 7 for personal chat on the global network, you’ll find the same limited list of features Mac users have grown to expect.
Using the “home” network, previously called MSN and now Windows Live (even Mac users cannot totally escape Microsoft’s operating system branding), you can send messages or transfer files to friends. Messenger 7’s updated interface, with its unsparing use of glossy aqua variants, is little improvement. It still shows some fundamental design weaknesses common in Microsoft products for Mac, a surprise considering Office 2008 almost looks like it actually belongs on the Leopard OS.
New features in this version include an updated app icon, Bonjour network support and contact list search, which would only come in handy for those with massive amounts of Windows Live contacts. Also, you can now add nicknames for your contacts, and for users with display names or personal messages too lengthy to fit in the contact list window; a mouse-over tooltip shows the full info.
Unlike the popular multi-protocol chat client Adium, Messenger 7 supports personal messages and custom emoticons, but Messenger still lacks support for sending or receiving offline messages. The good news is that the developers of Adium are currently testing a build that supports personal messages and offline messaging. Microsoft Messenger is a free download, though you might be better off going with Adium. And for video and audio chat, iChat and Skype have got Mac users covered.
This app is CRAP. Really, I mean it seriously and I’m not talking only about horrible UI. If you don’t like Adium and still want to chat with MSN users, I’d reccomend downloading the newest Yahoo Messenger, which is a pretty well-done app, as Yahoo and MSN IM protocols are compatible.
I prefer Microsoft’s client to Adium, even though I despise both of them. And I don’t want to change my MSN address, so Yahoo isn’t an option.
I like Adium because it’s an “all-in-one” messenger app (and it does support custom emoticons; at least, my version does).
Plus, it looks better. And you can customise its appearance.
I agree with Peter Craddock on this one, Adium is great! Although I don’t use it that much, I like the idea of using just one messenger app for all messenger clients. A big plus with adium is that you can change the way the UI looks to suit you!!
I love adium too, I use it literally everyday and love its customizability, however, I hate having to switch to something like mercury messenger every time I want to do a video chat with someone on msn. This review says, “And for video and audio chat, iChat and Skype have got Mac users covered”
Neither skype nor ichat support msn! =(
You can send and receive messages while offline with messenger. Have been able to for a while now.
Hmm… just started using it. The video calling doesn’t seem to work and there really seem to be no improvements made on it except for a moderate UI change which, in my opinion, actually looks worse!! Never liked microsoft -.-
hey guys, there’s always “AMSN” works with msn, has video… it’s great
[...] be better off going with Adium. And for video and audio chat, iChat and Skype have got Mac users …http://macapper.com/2008/06/04/microsoft-messenger-7-a-baby-step-forward/Windows Live Connects with BlackBerry eWeekThe RIM smartphones will offer Windows Live Hotmail and [...]
Have no reason to use this, why leave the Adium, a solid and mature program to use the MS problem? When I wan to see someone face to face, I’ll til their house or use Skype. No thansk this app is not for me
come mai microsoft messenger per mac non mi accede?mi dice sempre di visualizzare se la data e l’ora sono corrette e se lo ho istallato.queste cose sono perfettamente in regola eppure non mi accede ugualmente,inoltre mi dice di contattattare un amministratore di rete.se ci fosse qualcuno che mi dia una mano nel risolvere questo pronlema ne sarei grato.