Computer Adviser MSN Web Messenger
pages where we cover everything about MSN including from where to download, install, how to use, plus tips and tricks.
How to Install msn messenger
Download the latest version from MSN.com and run this.
Next you will arrive at the Install MSN Messenger screen , click Next here to continue .
Select I accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement, click Next.
From here you have a choice of 4 items, all of these will not make any difference in using MSN web messenger, so if you decide to install or not install them it’s just up to you.
- MSN Toolbar
This can be pretty useful as it allows you to block those annoying Internet Popups , it also allows you to access your Hotmail email and search through MSN easily. - MSN Search
This will make your default search engine MSN, this really depends if you already prefer to use another search engine. - MSN Home
This will change your home page to MSN, so as soon as you start your internet browser it will automatically go to the MSN page. - MSN Web Messenger Shortcuts
This will just add shortcuts for MSN web messenger to your desktop and quick launch bar, which is located on the bottom left of your screen.
After you’ve selected click Next , then the install will continue, when prompted you just have to click Finish and now it’s all done.
It will automatically load itself from here, this is when you need to login using the MSN Hotmail account you created earlier.
Note ..
Whenever a newer version of MSN web messenger is available it will give you an on screen notification, you just have to click on this and the update will begin.
That’s is the install msn messenger finished
Using MSN Web Messenger
To begin with you’ll see the following screen.
From here you can see which of your contacts are on or offline, from the screen above I have only one contact who is online at present.
If you would like to add a contact you just need to click the add a contact icon or choose add a contact from the contacts menu. To delete a contact Right click the on the contact and then select Delete .
If you are not sure if you wish to delete them you can always select Block this will stop that contact seeing that you are online.
To begin chatting just double click on the relevant contact and then you’ll see the chat dialogue box
Just begin typing and either click Send or hit Enter to send your message.
This is very useful as it gives you the chance to double check the spelling etc before the contact can see what you have written
Other Bits & Bobs
Inviting someone to a conversation
By click the Invite button you can have two or more colleagues / friends all chatting within the same conversation.
Sending Files
By clicking the Send Files button you can pretty much send any files, the other party will have to accept though, before the transfer can begin.
When sending files note, try to make files as small as possible , either by shrinking images or converting to a compressed file format such as JPEG .
When receiving files make sure that you have anti-virus software installed and up to date, chatting software is a common way to pickup viruses and other malware
Video and voice Chatting
A Really cool feature about chatting through msn web messenger is the Video and Voice chatting feature, as long as you have an internet connection above 350k the video and voice is very good.
As soon as you’ve installed your microphone and webcam it’s just a case of hitting the Video or Voice button and after a few seconds hey presto your chosen contact appears.
If you choose the Voice button it will be voice only. If you choose the Video button it will be voice and video.
When it comes to the activities button we have a choice of 5 options.
MSN photo swap
If ever you wish to share pictures / images with any of your contacts this is a convenient and easy way to do this, it’s faster than actually sending them the image. You decide on which pictures they look at.
If they wish they can then download any of the images.
MSN Calendar Sharing
This is great for setting up a time to get together with your friends or family.
It enables you to share your MSN Hotmail calendar with chosen friends.
Whiteboard
The whiteboard offers a shared board where you can draw and your chosen contact will be able to see as you draw.
Remote Assistance
Got a computer problem and an MSN buddy who can help to fix it, give him a remote assistance invitation and he’ll be able to give you remote assistance.
Application Sharing
Here we have a couple of options, you can give you contact access to any computer on your computer, you can either allow them to just browse or control the application.
For applications to be shared they have to be running and also be in the foreground to be able to see them.
Emoticons
When chatting online it can be a little hard to portray emotions sometimes, that’s where emoticons come in , little images of every kind of emotion ” a picture can after all say a thousand words , and that’s a lot of typing ”
Voice Clip
To record a voice clip you just need a Microphone and then you can easily send it to your contact.
Useful when vocal words are better than written, such as birthdays or other special occasions.
Winks
Winks are , well, hmm well I’m not sure , better if you just have a play around with then, some of them are hilarious.
Backgrounds and Download Packs
For more info on these checkout our MSN web messenger customizing page.
Nudging
If you want to attract your contacts attention a nudge is the way to go.
It makes a sound like a bell on speed on your contacts computer.
I have to be honest it can be very annoying, guaranteed to get anyone’s attention, but luckily MSN had the foresight to put add timer function so you can only send a nudge once about every 10 seconds which is good.
Dialogue
If you wish to save conversations from MSN web messenger , just go to the File Menu and choose Save As , this will then enable you to save any chat or dialogue into an RTF ” Rich Text Format ” that can then be opened in most word processing packages.
computer adviser msn web messenger article