(click here to enlarge)

I have recently been invited to beta test Microsoft Windows Live Messenger 8.0 by Microsoft. This is Microsofts’ next generation (geared towards Vista I do believe) messenger that is part of the whole Windows Live deal. Above is a screenshot of the about screen for you to enjoy. But before I continue the review, a few more screenshots:

BETA Notice
Instant Message Window
Contacts list with color changer
Changed Message History window
The settings window
The new “Welcome to Messenger” window
Mini Contact Card upon Mouseover on Contacts
The Actions menu on the contacts list
The new Edit Contact window
Signing in….

Surprisingly, I’m not very satisfied. I have found the program to be extremely buggy, crashing multiple times within a period of just a few hours. If will also freeze on me periodically.

Live Messenger features a color changer on the contacts list, which will change the color scheme of both the contacts list and the instant message window, along with the Send button in the instant message window.

Multiple times I have wanted to uninstall and re-install my trusty version 7.5, but I have decided not to. v8 really isn’t that bad, but it does have its down sides. I also find that the buddy list is very cluttered it seems, and is laggy while browsing through the list.

It also features a new (but annoying) new feature on the contacts list. While browsing through your contacts, if you put the mouse over any contact it will instantly bring up a mini contact card and options to call them, view their webcam, etc. This is very annoying (in my personal opinion) and really lags the contacts list while browsing through it.

However, just like the disclaimer says, this is a very early beta and does not represent the quality of the final product. So I hope anyways. It is definitely usable and stable enough to use on a daily basis. I have also noticed that all the games, custom emoticons, and more, still work after the upgrade.

If anybody wants screenshots of something I didn’t screenshot, leave a comment and I’ll get to it as fast as possible.

One of the advantages to being a Windows Live 8 tester is having the ability to invite other users into the beta program. Currently, I have a few invites to give out to commentors here at tech this out. These invites are going like hotcakes and everybody wants one. Within the next few days, I will pick a few lucky commentors from this post and send an invite to the service to the email address they provide. However, while leaving a comment, you must enter a valid email address in the field (it wont be public, don’t worry. I’ll have it in my admin center). Please note, however, comments may not appear immediatley. Sometimes I need to moderate them. Don’t worry, I will get them up ASAP. Also, please use the email address you plan on using for MSN Messenger. If you enter bob@gmail.com, you will only be able to sign into Windows Live Messenger 8 using bob@gmail.com.

Checkout Windows Live Messenger and more at Ideas @ Live.

Update: The comments are pouring in, and it will be tough to pick winners. However, I will be getting more invites soon and will update you guys when I do. I will leave this open until Tuesday or so maybe and try to get a wider selection of people to pick. Enjoy! – Me

Update: (December 19th, 2005) I’m leaving this open for a few days. Keep those comments coming in.. 17 or so really isn’t that much to pick from!

Update: (December 20th, 2005 2:40 PM) Don’t worry, I haven’t left ya guys hanging. I’m waiting for some more comments, so that I can pick from a broader selection. Plus, I’m going to keep this contest open for a few more days so I can get some more invites so that I can pick MORE winners. Keep commenting, you don’t have a chance if you dont leave a comment! Also, I uninstalled WLM8 on one of my machines due to stability errors.
Enjoy! :D

Update: (December 25th, 2005) I have sent out 3 invites to 3 lucky commentors. I am very honestly sorry if you did not recieve an invite, it was very hard to pick and there were many I wanted to pick but couldn’t. But keep checking back because as soon as I have more invites (hopefully a few days) I will offer them again. Thanks for participating.

- Jesse
Previously known as Devious

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