MSN 9.1 BETA program launched

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Our member, apoc_xp has reported that the BETA program for MSN 9.1 has been launched. The BETA tester should have already recieved the e-mail welcoming them to the so-called "MSN® Beta Butterfly Program" by now - don't take my word on this though. For those who wish to offer their service to help the MSN department fine-tune its product, you can nominate yourself as the beta tester by using MSNBeta Guest-ID after logging into Betaplace.

Please note that participants will be selected based on their survey result - you are not guaranteed the position by completing the survey. Goodluck to those who are interested! :)

Screenshot: MSN 9.1 BETA

View: Beta Place

PLEASE NOTE- IMPORTANT
· The pre-release versions of Windows Update are for testing purposes only.
· Please do not depend on the pre-release versions of Windows Update to keep your computer secure and up to date. If you are not a Windows XP SP2 Beta program participant, you can keep your computer secure and up to date by visiting the site. If you are part of the Windows XP SP2 Beta program, please take extra care regarding computer security, as you will not be able to go back to the Windows Update V4 site.

(6 replies) #1 Jasco on 21 May 2004 - 11:40

People actually like this bloated crap?

#1.1 hobsgrg on 21 May 2004 - 11:51

yep! I do

#1.2 ben_b on 21 May 2004 - 14:15

I do in fact... wanna make an issue of it?

#1.3 ec4912 on 21 May 2004 - 17:47

MSN Explorer is the best!

#1.4 jameseuk on 22 May 2004 - 15:57

MSN Explorer is only as "bloated"(as you put it) as you make it, you can add features to it and remove features

#1.5 Jasco on 24 May 2004 - 06:14

MSN Explorer is only as "bloated"(as you put it) as you make it, you can add features to it and remove features
---
Suuuure.. keep tellin' yerself that.

#1.6 jameseuk on 06 Jun 2004 - 18:27

I will because its true

#2 area91 on 21 May 2004 - 11:56

Whats acualy new in this version? More bloat?

(4 replies) #3 BGuillaume on 21 May 2004 - 12:00

nothing really excited, they added the Highlight viewer from MSN Toolbar and fixed few bugs here and there. there is a webbased member management website to be launched as well...well nothing as excited as GMail or Yahoo Mail plans for this summer....and this is only 9.1 !!! I believe they'll carry on 9.x until Longhorn is releaed to implement MSN 10 in it. However should it be 9.1, 9.2 or 9.7 i don't think it's gonna evolve that much...B-O-R-I-N-G.

#3.1 Trade Wind on 21 May 2004 - 14:50

Guillaume my friend.

Yeah, this is only a point release...alot of the work is being poured into the next gen client platform that will run on XP and then on Longhorn.

MSN is not sitting still. I haven't seen MSN's summer release slate this packed ever. There are quite a few new sites/services being added to the network this summer. Then we'll be off to the races with the 10 beta this fall. Hold onto your hats! = ]

#3.2 BGuillaume on 21 May 2004 - 16:50

if MSN 10 was supposed to be released this fall they certainly would not have comout with a 9.1 version but a 9.5 one just like 8.5...i dunno just what I've been thinking

#3.3 Trade Wind on 21 May 2004 - 21:13

'10' won't be released this fall, but beta testing should begin by then...

9 beta testing began in August was it? The Beta Butterfly program is 'year round' of a sort.

If my memory serves...there was an 8.1 release prior to 8.5...it just wasn't beta tested.

#3.4 BGuillaume on 21 May 2004 - 21:20

Well I hope you're right, from what I remember 8.5 had already been released this time last year though I don't remember quite well...

(2 replies) #4 Justin03248 on 21 May 2004 - 12:09

Does anyone notice that this build is lightning fast when loading web pages? The connection to the server is almost instantaneous. Faster than IE and even Firefox.

#4.1 BGuillaume on 21 May 2004 - 12:20

quite franckly ? no....MSN 9 has always been faster than IE for some websites for me but even today it can be really slow on others...absolutly nothing new

#4.2 Jugalator on 21 May 2004 - 12:37

What? Isn't MSN just using IE's rendering engine?

If it's server connection slowness you're experiencing, tweak Firefox by entering about:config in the address bar and set nglayout.initialpaint.delay to 0.

#5 aadd on 21 May 2004 - 12:34

Nice work configure

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=169348

#6 Jugalator on 21 May 2004 - 12:35

Oh yes, this will be so great!!!

MSN Beta Cuddly Butterfly Program!

I'm already peeing my pants!

#7 SkaterAustin on 21 May 2004 - 12:55

you all know i posted 2 more images in the windows beta section under the msn 9.1 thread there

#8 Gary_Player on 21 May 2004 - 12:59

Yea they just sent me my invitation to continue being a beta tester...unfortunatly I don't have a PeeCee anymore, I've got a MAC

#9 twyst3d on 21 May 2004 - 13:02

i got my invitation last night i submitted for msn beta 2 months ago haha

#10 jameseuk on 21 May 2004 - 13:37

I've completed the survey, cant see me not testing it to be honest as I'm already a MSN Premium subscriber

#11 Trade Wind on 21 May 2004 - 14:53

thx Austin...going to the thread...

#12 jhaygood86 on 21 May 2004 - 15:35

MSN 9.1 has plenty of new features, not much, but for a point release, quite a bit. It does load pages faster, I have noticed that. Almost instantaneous. Rendering is same speed as IE, but IE can render pretty quickly. The HTTP_USER_AGENT is the only thing bloated about it

Plus, if you have 9.0, it doesn't take much to upgrade to 9.1. Plus, secksy black MSN Beta branding all over the place (well, not so secksy in the title bar).

(1 reply) #13 AthleticTrainer1981 on 21 May 2004 - 16:17

I am part of the ongoing MSN beta....but they have taken it down for right now.

It seems the version they had on their wasn't the beta version but rather a prepaid version. Kept asking me for my prepaid card PIN.

Now there is a 'we are experiencing difficulties' message up and the download link is gone.

#13.1 evil_walnut on 21 May 2004 - 19:22

Hmmm....

Last edited by 15534 on 21 May 2004 - 19:29

(1 reply) #14 mreska on 21 May 2004 - 19:22

Has anyone been able to access MSN Beta today to download the new software? I received my e-mail last evening, but it still has not "appeared" on the MSN Beta site.

#14.1 evil_walnut on 21 May 2004 - 19:30

Try posting something in the place you are expected to get help at.

#15 KarlDorman on 22 May 2004 - 02:14

MSN has updated 9.1 with the black MSN Beta logo next to the buttons in the top right hand corner. When you go to Help & Settings, scroll down to about MSN. There you should have the lastest version which is 9.10.0004.2604. If any of you are true MSN beta testers, you'll need to do the following. Click one the MSN Beta on the home page. Click on MSN Beta Butterfly. Under New Feature Scenarios you'll see the installation link, Click on that. There will be instructions within that page. Good luck to you all. Keep on testing.

MSN 9.1 Update Link

Last edited by 28853 on 23 May 2004 - 14:44

(1 reply) #16 mreska on 22 May 2004 - 17:34

Still noting listed for this beta on the BetaPlace site. Anyone else having the same trouble? Do you have to have the installation CD to begin the process? I'm a little confused.........

#16.1 KarlDorman on 22 May 2004 - 18:43

What listing are you looking for? Explain please.

(1 reply) #17 mreska on 23 May 2004 - 02:09

Karl,
The one for MSN Internet software. This is the e-mail I received, but it is still not appearing under the MSN Beta page of Beta Place.

Congratulations! You've been selected to participate in the MSN® Beta Program. It's a unique opportunity for you to tell us how MSN Internet Software could better enhance your online experience, and for us to hear directly from valued Members like you. Together, we can make MSN the premier internet software on the market!

As a participant, you'll enjoy all kinds of great perks, too. You can:

· Use MSN Internet Software free of charge. You will receive four free months of MSN to use during the beta and be provided dial-up access, if needed.

· Make a difference. MSN considers input from individuals who have had the opportunity to use and evaluate future MSN products and services.

· Be the first to try new products. You'll be able to use MSN Internet Software before anyone else.

· Interact with your fellow beta testers. The newsgroups will be a focal point for providing support, making suggestions, and building a strong community of MSN beta users.

Getting started is easy. Just download the new version of MSN Internet Software by following the instructions included in this e-mail.

Please note that in order to test the software, you will need to have an Internet access connection (e.g. broadband or dial-up). If you currently do not have Internet access, we'll be happy to provide MSN Dial-up for you free of charge, along with the software during the beta period. See the Installation guide for details on BetaPlace.

Getting Started

To install the required software for the MSN® Beta Program, please follow the instructions below. Note: Your Welcome Kit, which includes a MSN CD, will arrive within five to seven business days after the receipt of this mail. This CD will include the beta software and an activation code on the back of the CD sleeve that you will need to install the software.

1. Sign in to BetaPlace

(NOTE: It may take up to 24 hours after receipt of this e-mail to activate your BetaPlace access.) Go to http://beta.microsoft.com and sign in using your Microsoft® .NET Passport account.

2. Choose MSN 9.1 Beta

At the bottom of the home page, select MSN Beta. You should now be on the welcome page for the MSN Beta.

3. Take the survey

The first time you sign-in you will be prompted to complete the Introduction Survey 9.1. Complete and submit.

4. Install the beta software

As mentioned above, you will receive a CD and activation code within five to seven business days. After you receive the Welcome Kit, just insert the CD and follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted, please enter the activation code listed on the sleeve of your CD.

You will also be asked to choose your MSN subscription type. Here's how to respond:

· If you already have Internet access: Please select "MSN Premium".

· If you need dial-up access provided: Please select "MSN Dial-Up".

Please note: Before you install the beta software, it is important to understand that the beta software will not display the stability of a shipped Microsoft product. You may encounter problems that could possibly result in a loss or destruction of data. As a safety precaution, we recommend you back-up your existing data before you install and run the beta software.

BetaPlace Details

Once you have access to BetaPlace, you can:

· Update your contact information. Please ensure your information is up to date, as your beta kit will be sent to the listed address.

· Create a newsgroup password by clicking Modify My Info and selecting Modify My Newsgroup Login.

· Access MSN private newsgroups. If you have a newsreader program, you can access the newsgroups directly. If you do not, please go to http://webnews.microsoft.com. Either way, you will need to use the account information below to configure your newsgroups viewing options. All newsgroups for this beta program will begin with microsoft_beta.msn.9_1_Beta.

#17.1 KarlDorman on 23 May 2004 - 05:22

You must sign in using your member ID. Also if you are a beta tester they would of gave you a member ID in the e-mail. I also would like to point out that you need to follow the instructions posted above or Click Here to see the comments I posted. Good Luck. The Instructions are in the MSN Beta web site.

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