EXCLUSIVE!: MSN 8 Beta 2 Screenshots + Face Lifts!


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Originally posted by Tim

msn games as in ZONE? they reallllllllllllllllllly need to remake that program, looks so win95 ish

Good question about the Zone program. Not sure. I didn't download it on the beta site to see if it was updated. There is a Zone tab in Messenger tho. (avail week of Oct 20th)

Edit: It appears the Zone Friends software isn't avail on the beta site. What version # is your Zone Friends? I looked at the download code (which appears to show the ver # in the active x component)...it was only 3 builds lower on zone.msn.com than on the test server. Like you, I'd love to see more work on that aspect of the MSN Gaming Zone....esp .NET Messenger support!

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Originally posted by Trade Wind

Good question about the Zone program. Not sure. I didn't download it on the beta site to see if it was updated. There is a Zone tab in Messenger tho. (avail week of Oct 20th)

been waiting for something like that, they already changed the login way on the zone to use passport, now its nice to have it with msn,

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Sorry about that. Looks like the parser rips up the long MSN picture urls. It works on another forum which shall remain nameless tho. PM if interested.

re: new Messenger tab + MSN Zone UI

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This is a list of all the sites on MSN that should be getting or recieve a face list. Some of the sites are new aswell, Like homework and research.

Some pages may also look diffrent in MSN8 as they would in a another browser because the graphics are called from MSN8's own UI.

You may get a few of the below sites not displaying, because they use server side code to check if you are browsing from msn explorer or not.

www.msn.com , calendar.msn.com , careers.msn.com , health.msn.com , local.msn.com , search.msn.com , msnhomepages.talkcity.com , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/1 ,

http://my.msn.com/my.ashx"/ , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/3 ,

http://g.msn.com/1txenus/4 , http://g.msn.com/0CA1033/76 ,

http://calendar.msn.com/task/ , http://alerts.msn.com/alerts/subedit.asp?C...00000&lcid=1033 , http://calendar.msn.com/reminders/isapi.dll , http://entertainment.msn.com?WMPFriendly=true , http://music.msn.com/genre/stations.aspx?W...MPFriendly=true , http://entertainment.msn.com?WMPFriendly=true , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/41 , http://www.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/sbox/EN...EN?rru=wc_maint , http://www.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/sbox/EN...?rru=somaintain , http://oe.hotmail.com/cgi-bin/hmdata/ , http://oe.msn.msnmail.hotmail.com/cgi-bin/hmdata/ , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/46 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/47 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/48 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/49 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/61 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/62 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/63 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/64 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/81 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/82 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/83 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/84 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/85 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/86 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/87 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/88 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/89 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/101 , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/102?srch=5&prov=m...lang=en-us&q=%s , http://my.msn.com/feedtexas.ashx , http://client.msn.com/cities/en/us/ms/v2/ , http://moneycentral.msn.com/sharedstock/shstock.asp , http://g.msn.com/1txenus/138?iPage=news&Symbol=%1!.1023ls!

http://g.msn.com/1txenus/139 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/140 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/141 http://www.msnusers.com http://g.msn.com/1txenus/143 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/144 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/145 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/146 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/147 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/148 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/149 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/150 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/152 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/153 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/154 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/157 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/158 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/159 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/160 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/171 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/172 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/173 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/174 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/175 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/176 http://photos.en-us.msn.com/cd/ http://g.msn.com/1txenus/191 https://texreg.msn.com/MSN8/sps/ https://bmd.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getpop pop3.email.msn.com http://nexus.passport.com/client/client.xml http://g.msn.com/1txenus/25 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/252 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/253 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/256 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/254 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/255 http://help.msn.com/en_us/frameset.asp?Sea...PP=%s&H_VER=1.7 http://help.msn.com/en_us/frameset.asp?Top...PP=%s&H_VER=1.7 http://client.msn.com/msn8/tour/en/us http://g.msn.com/1txenus/321 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/322?Plcid=0409&CL...1033&Country=00 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/323?membername=%s http://resourcecenter.msn.com

http://g.msn.com/1txenus/331 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/332 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/334 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/335 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/336 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/339 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/340 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/341 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/343 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/344 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/345 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/346 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/347 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/348 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/349 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/350 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/351 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/352 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/353 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/354 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/355 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/356 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/357 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/358 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/359 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/360 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/361 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/362?id=0 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/363?id=0" http://g.msn.com/1txenus/364?id=0 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/365 https://billing.microsoft.com/?prod=msn http://g.msn.com/1txenus/368 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/401 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/402 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/421 texdev.moonport.com http://g.msn.com/1txenus/431 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/432 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/433 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/434 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/435 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/436 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/437 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/438 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/439 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/461 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/462 https://client.msn.com/msn8/migrator/en/us/migrate.xml https://client.msn.com/msn8/migrator/en/us/aol.xml http://g.msn.com/1txenus/473 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/474 http://g.msn.com/1txenus/491?strt1=%1&city...zipc1=%3&src=EX"

Wow! its abig list, but if you look thru it cloesly you will find some intresting urls. Like the on-line xml aol migrator. Make icons for each link, and put em in a quicklaunch bar and you have a bar strings no features msn8 explorer :sleeping:

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Originally posted by Snappy

Where I catch this beta and as to install without it to ask for cred card to number? :D

You need to find a beta of msn 8. The one thats floating around is old, but you have to switch out the server adresses it connects to on startup, and change hash values for the entires in its xml translator engine.

Then try connecting, it will think your using a 2mb hotmail account. (The account layout is like this HOTMAIL_2MB

HOTMIAL_10MB MSNIA_DIALUP _MSNBB_DSL PREMIUM_CLIENT

the filter levels they have set are "Base" "Addon" "Upgrade"

"Downgrade" "Renewal" user profiles can be

NORMAL_USER BILLABLE_ADMIN SUBSCRIPTION_ADMIN

PARENTAL_CONTROLS_MANAGER PARENTAL_CONTROLS_MANAGED

KIDS_PASSPORT)

It will connect, then log you out and auto update to the newest version. When its done you re apply your patched mars, and you can login as guest using a 2mb hotmial account.

You wont be able to acess some things though, like the Research or subscirption encarta areas, but if you just want to use the snazzy dock thats how you do it.

I have seen a few patches floating around the net, that accomplish pretty much the same thing. As to where you get it, or find the beta thats what google is for.

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Originally posted by Fallen Angel

i'm thinking about getting that $9.95 deal. :)

If you can afford it, go the pre-paid route. You get two free months. Like $6.77/mo or something.

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Originally posted by Ethen

It will connect, then log you out and auto update to the newest version. When its done you re apply your patched mars, and you can login as guest using a 2mb hotmial account.

You wont be able to acess some things though, like the Research or subscirption encarta areas, but if you just want to use the snazzy dock thats how you do it.

LOL Yeah. Question: can you access MSN Calendar w/o issue?

Edit: n/m...MSN Calendar is still "free" for non-subscribers until Dec, so that would work no matter what still.

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Originally posted by Trade Wind

LOL Yeah. Question: can you access MSN Calendar w/o issue?

Edit: n/m...MSN Calendar is still "free" for non-subscribers until Dec, so that would work no matter what still.

Yeah, as I mentioned, you can use the msn8 software patched with out need for a credit card, however you cannot access certain subscription web services, like Calender or hot-mail extra storage or the Research area.

The only real use for patching MSN8 software is if your really wanted to use the dashboard, or use it as a basic web explorer.

But in that case I would edit MSN8 to use google for searches etc, rather then msn search, and change the pop mail entries to point to my web email provider, maybe set the homepage to be cruel.com, make a pr0nz button things like that.

Others who love msn, will probably pay for a subscription, get the msn8 software and use it and the msn web services as they are intended in its standard configuration.

It looks like the developers as with msn7 over looked the fact people like customization and they like skins. Something there is neither of in MSN8. Even the "my stuff" area is still set by defaults from an xml list, as it was in msn7

One thing that is really shotty is the parental controls. I bet with in a week of msn being out we will see people around 15-17 who have a parental control set looking to turn it off. It can be easily messed with at the core so the person setting the controls sees they are setting one thing, but on the back end they could be turning all control off.

The Parental Controls or PC as its abbreviated in the msn8 inner workings, doesn't seem all that complex, Yet it is in a few ways.

It basically divides ages up and uses these as set codes, as the user choses age groups an xml file marks this into categories and sends it through the engine.

The basic divisions are

accesskey="a">

Adult (18 years or older)

Full access to the Web and all MSN services Recommended for adults only.

accesskey="t">

Teen (13-17)

Limited access to the Web; e-mail and instant messaging are allowed; receive an on-line activity report for your child.

accesskey="p">

Pre Teen (10-12)

More limited access to the Web; restricted e-mail and instant messaging; receive an on-line activity report for your child.

b>Young Child (9 or younger)

<br>

Most limited access to the Web; restricted e-mail and instant messaging; receive an on-line activity report for your child.

And then other strings etc that mange setting.

var sEmailYes = "Freely allowed" ;

var sEmailNo = "Blocked" ;

var sEmailRestricted = "Restricted" ;

var sMusicRestricted = "Explicit lyrics on MSN Music are blocked" ;

var sMusicOn = "Explicit lyrics on MSN Music are allowed" ;

var sCalendarOff = "Blocked" ;

var sCalendarOn = "Full access to MSN Calendar" ;

It can also manage the settings for either inside msn8 or the entire computer. In the email report it summarizes the settings, number of minutes and hours said naughty child was on line, the address they sent emails to, who they exchanged instant messages with, the files they downloaded, sites visited etc. Then you can go through and block these.And then see what blocked web sites they tried to access.

Its basically a fancy key logger.

Then theres a whole little bit that generates the history reports it sends to the parents etc, showing where the person you have it watching has been etc.

It use the categories to define settings. For example you have a bit that reads. say "Ages up to 9" id="1"

8

9

10

6

18

Category 6 would be "Criminal Skills"

id="6" for example. In the file its listed under blocked for that age grouping. Someone could mess with the files, like make a patched market.mar for example and mess around with the allowed/blocked categories or totally change the way parent controls display, and whats get sets for what etc. Then the knowledgeable 17 year old (group 3) could download somebody's patch wrapped in an installer.

Point is the parent controls I see in msn8 are not bad, but like any other parental controls not 100% perfect. I always worry about these parents that leave the parenting up to software etc.

Nothing is a better parental control, then real parenting. I think touting best parenting controls dilutes that fact.

With MSN8 people are just paying for experience, the experience of using the web. On the surface it looks really great, flashy new design. In reality its not some advanced software or app they are buying. Its basically a web site. MSN8 like MSN7 is nothing but xml, java-script, and html underneath and a few snippets of classic programming languages to power things along.

MSN8 is really just a web site. I guess thats where the future is going though, web applications. I hope they never decide to write windows in xml and java script though.

When you look at the code all close, being hailstorm code I was expecting something fancy, to me the hailstorm snippets have turned out to be a bit boring.

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Originally posted by Ethen

Yeah, as I mentioned, you can use the msn8 software patched with out need for a credit card, however you cannot access certain subscription web services, like Calender or hot-mail extra storage or the Research area.

Okay...I wasn't sure about Calendar since it is still a free service.

It looks like the developers as with msn7 over looked the fact people like customization and they like skins. Something there is neither of in MSN8. Even the "my stuff" area is still set by defaults from an xml list, as it was in msn7
I don't think it was overlooked. I think it came down to what is in and what is out at release time. AOL only now is introducing themes w/ version 8. ;-) IMO skins are gravy. You work on skins when you don't have much to do. = p My Stuff...yeah...what else needs to be done there.
Nothing is a better parental control, then real parenting. I think touting best parenting controls dilutes that fact.

Very true about real parenting. However, if parents had tools to enforce what they preach/practice, real parenting wouldn't go in one ear, and out the other as it often does today.

With MSN8 people are just paying for experience, the experience of using the web. On the surface it looks really great, flashy new design. In reality its not some advanced software or app they are buying. Its basically a web site. MSN8 like MSN7 is nothing but xml, java-script, and html underneath and a few snippets of classic programming languages to power things along.
Hmmm...I would say they are paying for the services than the software. Sure, people may not be conditioned to use web services (outside of mail) much yet, but that is what the charge is covering...the cost of running these services.
MSN8 is really just a web site. I guess thats where the future is going though, web applications. I hope they never decide to write windows in xml and java script though.

When you look at the code all close, being hailstorm code I was expecting something fancy, to me the hailstorm snippets have turned out to be a bit boring.

I prefer to think of MSN 8 as a framework, or container for all the various activities that go on within. An XML/XSL framework.

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MSN8 is really just a web site. I guess thats where the future is going though, web applications. I hope they never decide to write windows in xml and java script though.

MSN 8 is a program, MSN.com is a website. But the MSN 8 software is written in some language that makes it look like HTML....lol

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Originally posted by powerdafuture

MSN 8 is a program, MSN.com is a website. But the MSN 8 software is written in some language that makes it look like HTML....lol

No not some language. It is. I look inside at it right now, this very sec what do I see? xml/xsl, java-script, html. Its using web languages. Thats like saying an orange is an orange, but when you peel it you will find an apple. No such fruit exists.

Originally posted by trade-wind

I don't think it was overlooked. I think it came down to what is in and what is out at release time. AOL only now is introducing themes w/ version 8. ;-) IMO skins are gravy. You work on skins when you don't have much to do. = p My Stuff...yeah...what else needs to be done there.

I am not saying skins really are a top of the list thing, but I would have liked to see more customization. But they aren't making a browser for me. They are making one aimed at new net users. Something to compete with aol.

I would like to be able to right in the browser add buttons easily, maybe assign a button that opens IRC, or some other app. Something along those lines.

I agree about the parenting thing, but no doubt msn will tout it as being 100% effective. No parenting control software is. Parents put to much mis-faith into little net Nanny's.

As for web apps, yeah they are the future. If I was rating msn8 on being just a web app, I would rate it as one of the best examples. Still theres still is the whole "you need to install it" thing that takes away from the definition of what a web app is supposed to be.

I bet in maybe msn9 or later, we will see it all run server side. Easily they could do that now, as far as some parts go. Theres a reason its using allot of xml/xsl and other web languages, thats where the future is heading, as microsoft has outlined. by default to call a local based element in msn8's markup, its msn:// instead of http://, they put those components up on-line they are calling and switch msn:// to http:// then they have it running off a server.

Just the translation engine for some of the tick tock would be hard to produce server side, but I bet they will get it working or already have alphas as part of the msn9 prototypes.

The big tech I am waiting to see from microsoft is the universal canvas implementations on the scale gates dreams of.

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Originally posted by brn2prgrm

MSN Explorer 7 and below will remain free. MSN 8 is introducing a $9.95/month plan for people who wish to use it with their current ISP. This is to cover the cost of services such as Calendat, Online Photos, Money management, etc. Also all accounts come 10mb of space for email.

try telling that to a hacker

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Originally posted by DarioXP

You talked about a patch...

But where? How? Please help me, I would really like to use MSN Explorer 8 even with a credit card!

If your willing to use it with a credit card and pay for your premium msn services, then theres no need for a patch.

Besides, with a patch you cant access thing likes Research or other paid services that are implemented server side on msn.

A patched version is for look-ie Lou's with out a msn8 passport that wanna see the dash on their desktop. I am sure we will see others trying to make patches though that allow full access, but in my opinion thats a futile attempt and very wrong.

Its like cloning a cell phone or something. Its too Russian for my style.

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Ethen, thanks for all those links. I found some cool stuff. I liked that. I would appreciate it if you'd post more MSN 8 facelifted sites. That would be cool. Thanks to you and TradeWind.

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