MSN Explorer 8.0

[powerdafuture]

This is the official MSN 8 thread.

All MSN pictures, features, and all the juicy details can be posted here. I will get a few images and leak them here too. :) I personally DONT HAVE MSN 8, so Don't ASK ME FOR IT. I have friends that have it.

POST AWAY!

[brn2prgrm]

Originally posted by HoboCop

9 hours and 141 megs later...

?or?

You do currently pay for MSN Internet Access to get online.

OH well... it IS beta so I can't really blame it...

It doesn't work because in the beta it only allows MSN8 accounts to sign in. Don't worry though, when it does go final it will allow you to sign in with your MSN or Hotmail screen name that you currently use.

[iconman]

When is the final release for Canada?

[powerdafuture]

I think it has been said about a MILLION times now that you cannot use MSN 8 unless you sign up for an MSN8 account, get it through your HEAD!:rolleyes:

[dakomo]

ok so is it gona b possible to have a work around or something for this beast (or crack or something) :ponder: :ermm:

[powerdafuture]

Originally posted by dakomo

ok so is it gona b possible to have a work around or something for this beast (or crack or something) :ponder: :ermm:

Nope, I think we're all going to have to wait til Micro$oft releases it to the MSN member's (me) and all the rest. Only MSN paid users will be able to use it.

[Paulstorm]

Originally posted by powerdafuture

So when exactly is the Msn 8 release for America? I hear October 17th or something like that..

MSN hasn't publicly announced a date. But, yes, October. (the last two major MSN client releases were in October too)

[Paulstorm]

if there is one feature I'd like to see MSN Messenger 5 get it is sending a message along with your request to be added to their contact list.

I get requests all the time, but I don't know who they are sometimes! An appended message to explain why you want to be added would be nice.

[tomwarren Veteran]

Originally posted by Trade Wind

MSN hasn't publicly announced a date. But, yes, October. (the last two major MSN client releases were in October too)

Hey tradewind do u know if non MSN Internet accounts like hotmail etc will be able t o use MSN 8 once its done?

[brn2prgrm]

Originally posted by creamhackered

Hey tradewind do u know if non MSN Internet accounts like hotmail etc will be able t o use MSN 8 once its done?

Yes they will, but for testing purposes and to filter users, they are only allowing MSN8 accounts to sign in.

[shockz]

MSN subscribers will be the only ones getting access to the program. Similar to what AOL does.

[DoNuTjC]

Originally posted by shockz

MSN subscribers will be the only ones getting access to the program. Similar to what AOL does.

Yup thats whats going to happen... My friend (the one that works for MSN) says that right now, if you want to use it you have to sign up for an MSN 8 account but when it comes out (Oct. 17th) then MSN users don't need to sign up for an MSN 8 account...

You can use your ISP (like your dsl or cable connection) to connect to it but you still have to pay, don't know how much though...

I think MSN is dumb for tryin to be like AOL, everyone in the free world hates AOL now everyone is going to hate MSN... How can they make something (MSN explorer 7) free to now making everyone pay to use explorer 8... VERY VERY dumb to me...

ok thats my 2 cents :D

[MSTAIWAN]

Not today bub. NO assistance will be given on these products so please DO NOT ask!

Keldyn

Forum Super Moderator

[intensityx]

Originally posted by DoNuTjC

Yup thats whats going to happen... My friend (the one that works for MSN) says that right now, if you want to use it you have to sign up for an MSN 8 account but when it comes out (Oct. 17th) then MSN users don't need to sign up for an MSN 8 account...

You can use your ISP (like your dsl or cable connection) to connect to it but you still have to pay, don't know how much though...

I think MSN is dumb for tryin to be like AOL, everyone in the free world hates AOL now everyone is going to hate MSN... How can they make something (MSN explorer 7) free to now making everyone pay to use explorer 8... VERY VERY dumb to me...

ok thats my 2 cents :D

Actually, I think this is a very good move by MS... The only way they can compete with AOL is to offer exclusive content, as of right now there is little or no difference between MSN and any regular ISP.

Making the new, inproved MSN Explorer exclusive to MSN subscribers as well as the host of new .net services that will be available soon will give people a pretty good reason to switch from AOL or any other ISP to MSN, even if they are already paying for a cable connection.

It certainly has generated a buzz here and it's hasn't even been released.

[powerdafuture]

Originally posted by intensityx

Actually, I think this is a very good move by MS... The only way they can compete with AOL is to offer exclusive content, as of right now there is little or no difference between MSN and any regular ISP.

Making the new, inproved MSN Explorer exclusive to MSN subscribers as well as the host of new .net services that will be available soon will give people a pretty good reason to switch from AOL or any other ISP to MSN, even if they are already paying for a cable connection.

It certainly has generated a buzz here and it's hasn't even been released.

Ya I agree it is a good deal. Also, because MSN Explorer 7 has server problems sometimes, and maybe the lack of all those people using it for hotmail will lower some of there problems....;)

[DoNuTjC]

Originally posted by intensityx

Actually, I think this is a very good move by MS... The only way they can compete with AOL is to offer exclusive content, as of right now there is little or no difference between MSN and any regular ISP.

Making the new, inproved MSN Explorer exclusive to MSN subscribers as well as the host of new .net services that will be available soon will give people a pretty good reason to switch from AOL or any other ISP to MSN, even if they are already paying for a cable connection.

It certainly has generated a buzz here and it's hasn't even been released.

Ok good point, I agree with you.. :D

On another note... I really don't mean to be an a$$ but I got a few emails ask me if I can hook them up with a fake account so they can use MSN 8... the answer is NO! and please stop asking cause my answer is not going to change... Oct. will be here quick so just wait...

Thanks

I'll try to keep everyone updated on MSN 8 if I can...

[Ethen]

Didn't see any mention of this, But if MSN8 is still using .mar files to keep its guts private, you could use ODD's mar extractor to gain acess to them, and develop patches.

Maybe engineer it with the server files from msn 7. I think that would at least make it so you could browse, as for dashboard and other features they would be out the window.

I know with msn7 microsoft used thier propritery .mar format which pretty much comprised allot of the content. Looking at the msn7 mars, once extracted there was some intresting things, such as being able to see how it works to log on to msn and the password account authentication mechanisms.

You can find odd's mar extractor in the msn7 skinning thread? It probably needs to be updated though inorder to handle the content in msn8 's mars.

If msn8 is no longer using mars what format have they switched to? It probably still would be a type of packed file, kinda like a dll.

I guess there is a ripped version of messenger 5 floating around so I would venture to say someone was able to get in through the mars or what ever format is being used now and open her up.

If I wasnt traveling I would use fast net connection download and play with it my self like ppl were for msn 7. (How crappy msn 7 was. lol)

[Paulstorm]

Yo Ethen, LTNS.

MSN 8 still uses MAR. I had no difficulty using the MSN Archive Format Compiler to check out what is under the hood. (the code is OH so juicy...I was very piqued to see lots and lots of HailStorm code in there :p)

[Ethen]

"MSN 8 still uses MAR. I had no difficulty using the MSN Archive Format Compiler to check out what is under the hood. (the code is OH so juicy...I was very piqued to see lots and lots of HailStorm code in there )"

Yeah, I figured msn would stick with the mar format, rather then do a switch, but as they seem to have came out with so much new regarding msn8 an overhaul could have been possible.

Your juicy code comment has prompted me to do a download.

[JasonWebb]

where do i find this mar extractor?

also, trade wind, are you an official MSN 8 beta tester? If you are, can you submit some bugs for me ?

[Ethen]

The mar extractor (one version of it) was made by a fellow neowin oDD. Search for a thread on "skinning msn explorer" and see his posts, in which he created the extractor and compiler for reading microsofts mar format.

[powerdafuture]

Damn I've seen latest builds of AOL and Damn does MSN have some competition......AOL has THEMES! for the desktop of aol! it's almost like an operating system....:):paranoid:

[brn2prgrm]

Originally posted by powerdafuture

Damn I've seen latest builds of AOL and Damn does MSN have some competition......AOL has THEMES! for the desktop of aol! it's almost like an operating system....:):paranoid:

LOL! I doubt most people would stick with AOL because of themes. Most people who do use AOL are newbies (no offense to the non-n00bs who use AOL) so they won't use themes that often. What they will compare is the initial look and features without going too in-depth. I still feel that MSN 8 has the upper hand, especially considering we've only seen one MSN 8 build while a new AOL 8 comes out every week or so.

[powerdafuture]

:bump:

[Ethen]

MSN 8 also has the really great "Transfer from Aol to MSN in one easy step" built into it.

It can also check your aol mail and have it forwarded to MSN. I think allot of newbies will switch when MSN 8 is out, and find it easy to do so.

[Paulstorm]

Some 40% of Earthlink's new subscribers are coming from AOL. 50% of MSN's new subscribers are coming from AOL.

It will come down to (if someone wants to leave AOL), which route is easiest for me (MSN), and which service gives me more bang for the buck (MSN).

What will be more interesting in my view is how many BYOA subscribers MSN racks up. I think MSN has chosen wisely by not charging over $10/mo for the service. I hope that is economically viable for MSN. I don't think they would subsidize the cost of developing all the associated products...then again, if you take a look at the cost of the various MSN services in an individual basis it ads up!

For those internaional viewers...MSN 8 betas are now out in Japan, Canada, and the UK.

Things are moving along nicely... T-Minus One Month.