Windows Live Messenger
| Windows Live Messenger
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
| Basic data
|
|
| developer | Microsoft |
| Current version |
16.4.3505.912 ( 2012 ) |
| operating system |
Windows XP , |
| category | Instant messaging |
| License | Freeware , proprietary |
| German speaking | Yes |
The Windows Live Messenger was an instant messaging - service from Microsoft , and the successor of MSN Messenger . The software was available for various operating systems, including Windows , Xbox 360 , Nintendo , macOS , Android, and iOS . In addition to his own network, he supported cross-service communication with users of the Yahoo Messenger and Facebook chat. The first client called "MSN Messenger" was released on July 22, 1999. On April 30, 2013 the service was discontinued and outsourced to Skype.
history
On November 6, 2012 Microsoft announced that it would discontinue Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype . According to the company, the closure of the service has been in preparation for a long time and should go smoothly for users. For example, it should be possible to log in to Skype with the usual access data - so there was no need to re-register. In addition, all contacts of the messenger should be automatically transferred to Skype. The service was basically discontinued on April 30, 2013, later in the same year also for " Mac operating systems before OSX" ( OS X 10.8 ) and Windows operating systems before Windows XP , on which it was still available, as there was no update to Skype was possible. In addition, due to its high popularity, the service in China was not discontinued until October 31, 2014.
Programs
Generic clients
The service had over 300 million users worldwide, including seven million in Germany (as of April 6, 2008). The Web made it possible, in addition to the usual chat and webcam hold conferences, online games to play, files exchange or make phone calls over the Internet . As of version 2011, the Messenger only supported the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems . The last version was designed in the design of Windows 7. The last version available for Windows XP was version 2009.
Official versions
MSN Messenger 5.0 could still be used by users using the Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 operating systems . The versions 6.0 and 6.1 could only be used under Windows 98 and Windows Me . Version 6.2 was no longer usable since January 2011. MSN Messenger 7.0 works from Windows 98- Windows Server 2003 R2. MSN Messenger 7.5 was the last version before the name change: It could only be run on Windows 2000 by changing the compatibility settings.
Bundling the messenger
With Windows XP, the previous version of the messenger, Windows Messenger , was already delivered with it. Since Windows Vista the messenger was no longer integrated into the operating system. Instead, it became part of the Windows Essentials , into which other previously integrated functions of the Windows operating system were outsourced.
Other Messenger versions
Windows Live Messenger Lite
Windows Live Messenger Lite or Light was an unofficial portable version of Windows Live Messenger. Despite the addition of "Lite" to the name, the version was around 16 megabytes in size. The lite version did not need to be installed and does not save user data on the computer used. Instead, a sandbox folder is created in the application program folder in which messenger data is saved. It also works without user rights. The portable version was only available in English and not with Messenger Plus 2010! Live compatible.
Windows Live Messenger for KIDS
At CEBIT 2009 Microsoft presented the "Windows Live Messenger for KIDS". This was specially adapted to the needs of 8 to 12 year old children.
A special feature compared to the live messenger was that it was not possible to send files and photos and parents could decide whether contact could be made with the child.
Messenger for Mac
Messenger for Mac or Microsoft Messenger for Mac was an official and independent version of the Messenger for the Apple operating system macOS . Up to version 7 conversation and video chat were not possible. Since March 2010 there has been a public beta version that supports conversation and video chat.
Mobile use
With the MSN Mobile service it was also possible to use the messenger on smartphones , the Ogo and, to a limited extent, via SMS text messages. Developers like Agile Mobile now offer instant messaging programs for cell phones.
Web clients
In addition to the official client, the messaging service could also be used via the web messenger provided by Microsoft and the providers eBuddy and Meebo via any modern web browser.
Alternative clients
Clients from other manufacturers are also available for many operating systems, but these are not supported by Microsoft. In the past, the protocol was often changed in such a way that these clients had to be adapted. For example, Adium is an all-in-one chat program available for macOS that also supports Messenger.
criticism
With the use of Microsoft services, according to the "Terms of Use", the recording of messages and e-mails was permitted. The ICQ and Skype general terms and conditions also contain similar clauses.
Alternatively, there was the free, closed-source encryption tool SimpLite for all versions of the MSN Messenger, which transmits calls using AES 128-bit encryption. Another option for encrypting chats is Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR), the concept of which is particularly suitable for securing this form of communication. The software also requests an update to the current version for an older version, otherwise it blocks the use of the messenger.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Yvonne Ortmann: Microsoft buries Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype. (No longer available online.) In: t3n magazine . November 5, 2012, archived from the original on November 8, 2012 ; Retrieved November 11, 2012 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Messenger is now Skype. (No longer available online.) In: Windows Help. Microsoft Corporation, archived from the original on June 17, 2016 (see star note).
- ↑ Microsoft finally switches off old Messenger after 15 years . ( winfuture.de [accessed December 9, 2017]).
- ^ Terms of Use. Microsoft, accessed January 10, 2013 . (Invalid link)
