PROview: Windows Live Messenger 8.0 Beta
You all know Windows Messenger, right? The 16-color "instant messaging" program that shipped with Windows XP, 5 long years ago? Think again! Unlike some other programs *cough* Notepad! *cough*, the world of Instant Messaging has come a long way since the Y2K days of yore...
This review is the work of a first generation beta tester, invited by Microsoft to experience Windows Live Messenger (WLM) 8.0. And he was impressed. Very impressed. Since then, he has upgraded all of his email accounts to WLM, and has forced WLM to install on every OS he has running. Why?
Read on!
Redesigned Interface
The first thing that hits you when you turn on WLM for the first time is the completely redesigned interface.
From the ground up, Messenger 8.0 is built on "cool." It takes the best and biggest of today's fads and applies them so thoroughly, you almost start wanting the interface to look buffer and more bloated -- but, it doesn't! Instead, WLM uses rollover effects, clean highlights, and elegant shadows; and dumps the fast-food fatware of the 90's; but the improvement with this new version is more than just teaching an old dog new tricks....
Microsoft has done well reprogramming the rollovers to optimise the existing space, so that now, instead of your 60 or so contacts to grin at simultaneously, you now have a "mini-list" of people to primly smile for. 'Roll-over' a contact, and the entry expands to fit the details!
The Microsoft development team has actually introduced a PIM system into WLM 8.0 to a fairly deep extent; so that now you can for example add 'normal' contact cards, such as a friend's email address and phone number, WITHOUT needing to previously add them as IM contacts. If you don't already use Outlook for this kind of thing, you'll probably like the ease and simplicity of the feature.
Security
This is a most important 'upgrade' for our safety and for the "MS-bashers" to stop pounding on Microsoft. Microsoft has added the option for you to download a free anti-virus plug-in from Microsoft that cleanly integrates into WLM, and scans all incoming and outgoing files between you and your friends. Alternatively, you may just use your favorite anti-virus program instead.
In fact, MS has gone as far as to require that you use anti-virus software, if you are planning on trading executable files with a friend. D'oh!
New Features
Some of the newer features ("newer", as in not available in any previous client IM!), such as the concept of "Sharing Folders" and the new VoIP features are great, but still require a fair amount of tweaking and tuning; but then again, this is still Beta software, and we can hope that these features will improve somewhat.
My Sharing Folders
'Sharing Folders' is basically a folder on your hard drive that is a mini-web server; you have one shared folder for each of your IM Buddies, and you can use each as a little place to share anything you want... it seems like an ideal way for two people working on a project or deadline together to share their tasks and latest progress without having to resort to SVN or expensive enterprise-level solutions like SharePoint Server.
Voice over Internet Protocol
The new VoIP is very interesting. It gives you PC-to-Phone access... but not for free... If you're looking for a decent Skype alternative, this is it... but there are better options available for the uber-geek; so what you have to remember is that WLM is an instant messaging protocol/client; not a dream video-conferencing solution!
But it's a decent barebones alternative for the most punctual and bare needs.
Offline Messaging
Now we come to our favorite feature of all: Offline Messaging.
It's what the IM world has been waiting for; it completes the IM revolution. For years, PC Magazine, computer columnists, and Bloggers alike have touted IM as an email replacement, and slowly businesses are coming to accept it... but there was that ever so tiny issue with what to do when you simply want to send someone a one-liner while they are offline.
Having to fire up Outlook just to ask someone if they're online and available for a quick written exchange is no longer necessary.
E-mail still keeps its place in this new model, for more formal or "deeper"correspondences, but Offline Messaging now makes it possible to ask friends or colleagues quick questions not needing immediate answers, or maybe just leave a tip or short message, or some one-liner stupid jokes, football results, whatever, all from your IM program!
Conclusion
All in all, it takes a bit of getting used to, but once you're hooked, there is no going back. The interface needs a little more work, now that the form is no longer just a raw box with text inside, but has become a non-box program with a weird shape, and hey! even weirder in Windows Vista than in XP --- and all those tabs on the side surely need to be reconsidered (anyway, who even USE some of them??).
The default color (ORANGE!) definitely needs a rethink; but overall, WLM 8.0 Beta has managed to achieve the usefulness and feature-variety of other Instant Messengers, but without the bloated design, resources, code ... and interface. It really is a very nice upgrade; and most certainly deserves more than a meager 0.5 version change!
