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Taking AIM: Microsoft Updates MSN Messenger

Instant-messaging program adds a few new features and tighter integration with MSN.

By Alexandra Krasne, PCWorld   

The final version of MSN Messenger 2.0, a free instant messaging program, is available for download now.

With only five million registered users, however, Microsoft's entry still lags far behind America Online's two instant-messaging clients, AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ. As of early December, AIM boasted 37 million registered users, according to an AOL spokesperson, and ICQ surpassed 50 million registered users.

Microsoft's MSN Messenger 2.0's new features primarily increase integration with other Microsoft products. The catch is, to even download MSN Messenger, you have to register for Passport, Microsoft's electronic wallet. Also, you must sign up for Hotmail, a free e-mail service from Microsoft.

A new mail icon on MSN Messenger lets you see how many unread messages are waiting in your Hotmail in-box. Push the button and you're whisked to your Hotmail page.

If you want to add a contact to chat with, you can search for one by e-mail address, by Passport, or try a general search using the person's first and last name.

Adding tighter integration with Microsoft's NetMeeting conferencing software, you can now initiate instant messages from within NetMeeting 3.0. This lets you participate in online audio, video, or data conferences, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft touts MSN Messenger 2.0 as global chatware, and the program now supports 26 languages.

Just the Basics

Once you've signed up and downloaded the new software, a little green icon sits on your desktop taskbar. Click it to find out who's online and who's not. On the interface, you'll also see links to the top headlines on MSN, Microsoft's portal; or a large red ad for MSN.

MSN Messenger offers the basic functionality of instant messaging, namely real-time chats with other users and privacy settings. The program also bears a striking resemblance to AIM. But MSN is missing a file transfer capability, which AOL added in AIM 3.0.

Also, MSN Messenger users cannot chat with Netizens running AIM. In a skirmish this summer, Microsoft added AIM compatibility that AOL overrode, citing security concerns. The instant-messaging vendors are purportedly working on a messaging standard that will allow the various products to interact, but it is not reflected in the current release.