Microsoft forcing people to upgrade Messenger

SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
edited August 2003 in Science & Tech
CNET has reported that Microsoft is planning to force people to upgrade to newer more recent versions of its instant messenger applications, and as a result, cutting off third-party IM clients such as Trillian.
As of Oct. 15, users of Microsoft's free Web-based MSN Messenger and its Windows XP-based Windows Messenger will need to upgrade their software to a newer version or be shut out of the service, the software giant said Wednesday. MSN Messenger users will need to upgrade to version 5.0 of higher; Windows Messengers customers will need to upgrade to version 4.7.2009 or higher; and consumers with MSN Messenger for Mac OS X will have to use version 3.5 or higher. The last MSN Messenger to be released was version 6.
Meanwhile, Oct. 15 also will mark the deadline for Trillian support for MSN Messenger. Trillian is software that integrates multiple IM clients into a common interface. While it doesn't enable IM services to communicate directly with one another, it lets people view all of their buddy lists from various services under one window.

The full report:
http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5066412.html

Comments

  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Gee.. now who would have thought that would have happened :rolleyes:
  • SlickSlick Upstate New York
    edited August 2003
    Yea but remember when AIM cut service to trillian, how long did that last. I am sure trillian will upgrade their client to make a way around it.
  • SouriatSouriat Nottingham, UK
    edited August 2003
    version 5.0 of higher

    Just sounds like their stopping the older protocols connecting rather than cutting out other clients to me, even so it wouldnt last long at all :)
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited August 2003
    Well, if i have to choose between MSN and Trillian, guess who's getting the boot?

    Only MS could make AIM look attractive... :banghead:

    I'm with those who believe that Trillian will come out with an update fairly soon.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Personally, I thought Trillian and MSN were both clumsy, bad programs.

    MSN because it tried to make an entry into a highly-controlled (AIM/ICQ) market, and Trillian because the interface is less than stellar.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited August 2003
    Trillian takes some setting up, but as a person who rarely uses IM at all (and then mostly because I moved 100 miles away from my daughter last year), I appreciate having everyone I might care to chat with in one interface, clunky or not.

    As for MS moving into an established market, there is a lot of precedence for that! :D
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Instant messaging is a market different from the ones they've successfully invaded with a superior product.
  • NixxerNixxer Nottingham, UK
    edited August 2003
    Part of the greater plan. Its Microsoft trying to get EVERYBODY who uses the service using their client.

    They are making a corporate IM client. When this comes out, the license for MSN will forbid using on corporate networks so companies will either have to upgrade or lose out.

    Then they will make a new "personal"/single user MSN client, which costs. The original MSN Messenger service will then cease, forcing anybody wanting to keep it to buy the "new and improved" service.

    You just wait.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    I got this e-mail 13 times.....

    "ATTENTION: IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED FOR MSN AND WINDOWS MESSENGER USERS.

    You are receiving this e-mail because you are a MSN Messenger or Windows
    Messenger Service user.

    As part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative, Microsoft is
    updating the .NET Messenger Service and providing you with an important
    MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger security update.

    If you are using MSN Messenger 5.0, Windows Messenger 4.7.2000, or MSN
    Messenger for Mac 3.5, or any versions higher than these, you do NOT need
    this security update. To find out which version you have, select the
    'Help' menu in Messenger, then select 'About'. If you are using an older
    version, or are not sure, please visit:
    http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Upgrades.aspx
    for an update.

    NOTICE: If you are not using an updated version, you will be unable to
    continue using your MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger Service.

    Thank you for helping Microsoft further its commitment to helping you
    protect your privacy and security online.

    You can view the .NET Messenger Statement of Privacy at:
    http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Privacy.aspx
    and the .NET Messenger Service Terms of Use and Notices at:
    http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Terms.aspx."

    Plain text, seems authentic.

    NS
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Anybody ever try this all-in-one IM?

    http://www.global-im.com

    On Tech-TV today, they were saying it's better than Trillian, but I just don't see it.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited August 2003
    Preacher said
    Anybody ever try this all-in-one IM?

    http://www.global-im.com

    On Tech-TV today, they were saying it's better than Trillian, but I just don't see it.
    Who can say? I did spend a few minutes wondering how her crop-top stayed in place.
    *bet that link gets clicked now...
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Yep. You got me to click. ;D
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited August 2003
    Also guilty.:p
  • SlickSlick Upstate New York
    edited August 2003
    Nightshade, I only got that e-mail 9 times, looks like you beat me.
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    profdlp said
    Preacher said
    Anybody ever try this all-in-one IM?

    http://www.global-im.com

    On Tech-TV today, they were saying it's better than Trillian, but I just don't see it.
    Who can say? I did spend a few minutes wondering how her crop-top stayed in place.
    *bet that link gets clicked now...

    prof,
    good to see your priorities are in the right "place"!:thumbsup:

    I really can't wait until another 500 lb gorilla comes along to knock MS off their high horse as they did to IBM.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited August 2003
    Tried creating an account w/ GIM, but it seems they are having server trouble.
  • PreacherPreacher Potomac, MD Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Yeah,
    I'm not really impressed with their program, especially when compared to Trillian.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Wonder how this will work with WinCE devices that have MSN built in.......

    NS
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited August 2003
    Just a little update:
    http://www.warp2search.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=13995
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