NationStates Jolt Archive

So I log on to MSN Messenger 7.5 as usual earlier today and all is well. I put my comp into standby and come back later from a small errand with my dad. MSN tries to log back on, but tells me: "You have to upgrade [to Windows Live Messenger] to continue." Uh, no. There's a reason I don't have it: it looks horrible, like the new AIM and new Yahoo!(website, that is). So, now I'm forced to rely on Trillian for all my IMing needs. Microsoft is creating a monopoly on its own damn products! So, I'm almost ready to switch to Linux at this point.

Now, to deblogify this...is there a way to get around that nonsense while still using MSN7.5?

I have been using Trillian for so long I don't even know.

There used to be a place hubby would go to download old versions of MSN for people who had old Windows......but I don't have a link.

Gaim, I believe, runs on Windows. Works on the current MSN network, you may no like the interface of Gaim either.

EDIT: Since AOL forced a name change about 3 months ago, I should probably mention that gaim is now called Pidgin.

I have been using Trillian for so long I don't even know.

There used to be a place hubby would go to download old versions of MSN for people who had old Windows......but I don't have a link.

http://www.old-versions.net That's actually where I got this 7.5 from. When I got a new comp, they had released 8.0 Live.

I'd not use the older versions as the newer release patch security holes. I don't see what's wrong with the newer 8.1 release anyway.
MSN is not an open standard network so complaining about Microsoft forcing you to use a new version is rather moot.

The gaim interface was so horrible when I used it I needed to gouge my eyes out afterward.

The gaim interface was so horrible when I used it I needed to gouge my eyes out afterward.That's what I thought about the mainline MSN client. But at least 8.5 is starting to blend into the Vista desktop.

I think Pidgin has become rather nice looking, and wasn't really bad a year or two ago either. But then, I've never tried it in Windows, so it might look worse there.

Another client you might want to check out is Miranda IM. I have tried it and didn't like it, but I know it has its fans.

Another client you might want to check out is Miranda IM. I have tried it and didn't like it, but I know it has its fans.

Mostly because it
1. Is tiny. Really tiny. As in "would fit on a floppydisk if anyone still used those things" tiny.
2. Is portable; meaning it does not need to change system files, depend on external frameworks like gtk or to write anything to the registry to work (and as such ideal for windows live cds and usb sticks)
3. Is extremely customisable, if you are willing to invest lots and lots of time in it.

And I still prefer pidgin ;)

One can also access the msn network through jabber clients btw. A bit involved, but it works.

I did switch to Linux, I can't get Ubuntu's wireless settings to work properly. It can't get it to use WPA encryption.

I did switch to Linux, I can't get Ubuntu's wireless settings to work properly. It can't get it to use WPA encryption.Which is weird as wireless is one of Ubuntu's stronger points.

I did switch to Linux, I can't get Ubuntu's wireless settings to work properly. It can't get it to use WPA encryption.

I'm not able to use Ubuntu with the internet, either. I'm at school and I have to use the Cisco Clean Access Agent to access the internet, and it won't run on Ubuntu even with Wine; there's no type of support for linux with it either.

On topic: I'm not sure what you can do about the messenger. I use Gaim when I'm on Ubuntu, and I don't enjoy using it very much.

I'm not able to use Ubuntu with the internet, either. I'm at school and I have to use the Cisco Clean Access Agent to access the internet, and it won't run on Ubuntu even with Wine; there's no type of support for linux with it either.

On topic: I'm not sure what you can do about the messenger. I use Gaim when I'm on Ubuntu, and I don't enjoy using it very much.
Sounds like you go to my shitty school.

I'm not able to use Ubuntu with the internet, either. I'm at school and I have to use the Cisco Clean Access Agent to access the internet, and it won't run on Ubuntu even with Wine; there's no type of support for linux with it either.

On topic: I'm not sure what you can do about the messenger. I use Gaim when I'm on Ubuntu, and I don't enjoy using it very much.The school I was at last year used Cisco(or something similar) (against the CS departments wishes), but the CS department know how to get around it with Linux.

My current uni has way too many Linux machines to use something like Cisco.

Ummm my MSN doesn't require me to update to log on...Windows XP for all!

I did switch to Linux, I can't get Ubuntu's wireless settings to work properly. It can't get it to use WPA encryption.
Maybe the WPA HowTo (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WPAHowTo) can help.
On topic: I'm not sure what you can do about the messenger. I use Gaim when I'm on Ubuntu, and I don't enjoy using it very much.
If you miss MSN while on Linux try aMSN (www.amsn-project.net). It's a clone of MSN, for Linux.

I think Pidgin vs MSN depends mostly on two things.

If you like to have a lot of special features like minigames and stuff you'll prefer MSN. I just use IM to chat and for the occasional file transfer so anything extra is just distracting. So I prefer Pidgin that handles only the most common features but on pretty much every chat network out there.

If you like skinned apps that look fancy and stand out you'll prefer MSN's look. I use a nice theme and my idea of a good looking app is one that uses that theme and blends in perfectly so I prefer Pidgin's look.

You could go back to Windows Messenger. Still seems to work ok. Much less annoying interface than MSN. I still use it at work.