The ridiculous amount of viruses infecting MSN recently is enough of a reason to steer clear, if you haven't already. Almost every night I sign on to the MSN network (via Miranda) someone sends me one of those silly links with a virus attached to infect MSN. As if enough of the bandwidth wasn't already 'yoinked' with the advertisements.

No go for me.

1.) update the software
2.) make sure preferences are set not to accept msgs from just anyone
3.) [as for ads] MESS patch (google it)

skype is way better, the best audio I have heard yet no advertisement. MSN advertisement consumes bandwith= poorer conection"duh" about the best feature Msn has is it can launch a game if you both have it ,,,lol but if you like MSN look for the messpatch kill the crap-------

haha I love the lack of comments.

Like anybody really cares about MSN IM ... that thing has been so annoying and bloated it's not even funny. ... not to mention NOBODY USES IT. I have three friends that have it just as a remnaint of years back when it was far superior to AIM, and then everybody switched. I'm kind of excited for the new AIM client, though, because that's all I use in my Trillian anymore. Throw in skin enhancements that are FREE (unlikely b/c AOL is freaking money hungry, but you can't blame a guy for trying), logging in a txt or html makeup and I'd be happy as a clam. That's really the only reason I use Trillian is b/c it's free and doesn't need to be cracked in order to use it correctly.

Well, you've apparently been locked in a cave or something. MSN IM v7 is actually a very good client. And, if you think no one uses it, tell that to the people clammering for the 250 contacts limit to be raised. Of course, if all you want is basic realtime SMS over the internet, then stay where you are.

I've used all the major clients for years now (I even still have a 6 digit ICQ account) and at the moment, MSN IM is my favorite. Plenty of nice features, stable, customizable and the one add-on I use makes it even more so. And I haven't spent a penny. And with the partnership with L3 for VoIP, I think that just makes it even better. Voice communications should be a lot clearer and more reliable now even over dialup. And I'm looking forward to getting a chance to use it.

But then, your supposed to be commenting on the article and not going off topic like this and bashing something you obviously don't know much about.

No one uses it? Humm, that is funny, I have over 200 friends with MSN Messenger, more than I have on Yahoo and AIM combined. :)

For YEARS, MSN has been the better product for superior Audio/Video communications, file send abilities hands down compared to the others!

It is true however, that if you were running a router/NAT, you had many problems, it was not combination for the average user, but that doesn't negate it's quality, but something MS needed to more quickly address by implementing SIP fully, as they have done in Windows Messenger.

As far as bloated, well they pretty much all seem that way how, prop. tool bars, pop-up blockers, and a variety of "features" I think most users have never requested, but the companies have felt we would love love love - NOT!

The AIM might in fact be a better IM when it comes out, this is yet to be seen, until then and as always MSN Messenger RULES!! Annoucements like this only show their continued desire to make it the premier IM tool. :)