Windows Live Messenger - What Happened?

[greg098]

It seems like FOREVER since there was an update for Windows Live Messenger. Anyone know what is going on?

[wtfdan]

There was a quick beta of version 9.0 recently. WLM is garbage anyway. It's just a horrible bloated in your face mess. I shouldn't need to use things like a-patch.

[kl33per]

Last update came out in November of last year, so not that long ago. Version 9 is currently in development.

[Ci7]

It seems like FOREVER since there was an update for Windows Live Messenger. Anyone know what is going on?

people love to bitch about anything that MS make

if it is apple that create WLM then all of you will says who great it is

[hjf288]

I want a Yahoo messenger inspired WLM for vista, it looks sweet.

[backdrifter]

people love to bitch about anything that MS make

if it is apple that create WLM then all of you will says who great it is

I probably wouldn't, WLM is in the top 3 worst applications I daily use, if not the worst.

[azz0r_wugg]

I'd love them to go back to the original new version look.

You know the orange, rounded, no gradient, version.

That was fecking sweet.

Anyone know of a hack to make it look like it?

[Chris123NT]

The WLM team at Microsoft is in shambles. Problem is they put all their eggs in the yahoo basket, and when the deal fell through, well the internal team is ****.

[theyarecomingforyou]

What exactly is it that needs to be updated? It allows you to chat, it doesn't crash every 15 seconds... I don't get why people expect an update.

[Chris123NT]

What exactly is it that needs to be updated? It allows you to chat, it doesn't crash every 15 seconds... I don't get why people expect an update.

We want them to build a client that is sleek, no bloat, no winks, no eppilepsy-inducing nudges, etc... (no I'm not eppileptic but I have heard from people that are that the nudge shake CAN actually cause seizures.

[Smigit]

What exactly is it that needs to be updated? It allows you to chat, it doesn't crash every 15 seconds... I don't get why people expect an update.

well some of the stuff in 9 is fairly cool, especially the multiple logins per a single account. Tweak the implementation of that so if you close the window it doesnt on all systems (or give you the option anyway) as well as adding group file transfers and group video chats.

Theres certainly more they can do, although I like it as an application (especially after a-patch is applied).

[backdrifter]

What exactly is it that needs to be updated? It allows you to chat, it doesn't crash every 15 seconds... I don't get why people expect an update.

Functionality and stability is indeed good, but it seriously lacks visual integration with the rest of the system and some finishing. It looks rather out of place, interface decisions are weird, (why hide the menubar when some of its functionality isn't offered anywhere else?) and I just don't want any application that acts more like a web browser, and less like an application. WLM is only program I have on my computer which doesn't close by double clicking the top left corner and I just hate that.

[wtfdan]

It seems like they have a shell and cram whatever in no matter how it looks or works. Just because we are on Windows doesn't mean we shouldn't have something nice, sleek and well thought out. There is loads of messenger programs out there that do it well, why can't they get it right ? I think one problem is their profit making initiative from MSN is still around, it's all in your face and not even done well. Just get rid of it and have Live Search at the bottom.

I might be paranoid here but have a look on their site and you notice they never show the full client in view. Seems like their ashamed and know it's horrendous.

[greg098]

Totally agree. WLM 8.5 is sooo bulky. I just want something to chat to people on. Not have something filled with adds, winks, nudges etc. because they make it use more memory. At times, Ive had heaps of windows of WLM opened and it eats greatly into the computers memory.

I quite liked the v4/5 design. It was simple and basic and easy to use.

[gazebee_]

I for one, love the WLM. I use the handwriting feature a lot, and since switching to Mac, I've really missed WLM. I wish MS would come up with something similar for us Mac-users.

[+Mystic MVC]

well some of the stuff in 9 is fairly cool, especially the multiple logins per a single account. Tweak the implementation of that so if you close the window it doesnt on all systems (or give you the option anyway) as well as adding group file transfers and group video chats.

Theres certainly more they can do, although I like it as an application (especially after a-patch is applied).

That is about the only feature that I need right now. I wasn't even aware that they were implementing it, that is awesome!

[Deletedforeverhaha]

WLM + MSG PLUS! + A Patch = No problems and no ads.

[Guest]

WLM is only program I have on my computer which doesn't close by double clicking the top left corner and I just hate that.

Wait. Why don't you just single click on the top right corner? I never knew you could close things by double clicking on the top left tbh.

I agree that it is a bit silly to not have the consistency.

[Crazysah]

When do they plan on releasing a Public Beta of WLM 9.0?

[Dance.]

When do they plan on releasing a Public Beta of WLM 9.0?

Google at your own risk :whistle:

[Pc_Madness]

WLM is only program I have on my computer which doesn't close by double clicking the top left corner and I just hate that.

Wait. Why don't you just single click on the top right corner? I never knew you could close things by double clicking on the top left tbh.

I agree that it is a bit silly to not have the consistency.

Because MS is trying to move away from the ugly file menus, which is fine by me. Media Player and WLM look great. :)

[#Michael]

When do they plan on releasing a Public Beta of WLM 9.0?

Not for a while. The wlm 9 pre-alpha that just ended this week was a dogfood build that was given to a select group to be tested for some very specific features/bugs/areas. That was meant to give the developers an idea what what they had to do next. As per the NG posts and the multiple emails sent out over the last month, they have said that the actual 9.0 beta will be started up in couple of months.

[quentez]

It's quite ridiculous ... Yahoo is making a new Messenger with the last Microsoft programing technologies and WLM remains what it is (only the beta of the 8 with the orange interface looked original to me).

Maybe that's the reason why Microsoft want to Buy yahoo ... They WANT THEIR MESSENGER !!!

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

There was a quick beta of version 9.0 recently. WLM is garbage anyway. It's just a horrible bloated in your face mess. I shouldn't need to use things like a-patch.

Ahh, another Microsoft loving quality post.

The last I heard, WLM was in development, but since people started complaining at new betas before most people even updated, it was scrapped, and was to be re-started later on. They are going for yearly developments now, stated under the About WLM section. It shows Version 2008 (build .....) So we can expect only major updates once a year, if that.

if you really don't like WLM being bloated... i'm sure you can always find some hacks to re-enable Messenger

[jesseinsf]

There was a quick beta of version 9.0 recently. WLM is garbage anyway. It's just a horrible bloated in your face mess. I shouldn't need to use things like a-patch.

you just have a crappy PC. anyone who complains about the Bloat factor has a crappy PC.