MSN & XP

[Vic]

just read in a forum XP has MSN built in.Can somebody tell me where to
find it? The system here is XP2 Home.

TIA
Vic

 

[Vic]

OK, just found it under add programs. Still have questions however.

I'm looking for an IM which will allow file transfers to a friend. I'm
sort of confused about MS offerings of 'Windows Messaging' and MSN. Can
someone please explain the differences and which would be better for
file transfers. Sending text messages is not a big deal because we
mostly talk on the phone.

Thanks
Vic

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

I assume you mean "Windows Messenger" or "Windows Live Messenger".
Windows Live Messenger is the successor of MSN Messenger. Using WLM, you can
chat and make file transfers. MSN is the whole Microsoft Network, with its
internet services like Hotmail, but MSN is being transformed to Windows
Live.

Here you can grab Live Messenger: http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
It's the latest version and therefore best for file transfer .

Hope you now have an idea of it. Please feel free to ask.
Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[Vic]

Dear P. Di Stolfo

DL'ed WLM and installed it. Much to my chagrin it requires an MSN
account and MSN REQUIRES *WAY* to much personal information (didn't sign
up, don't want to lie). In the USA we have tremendous problems with
identity theft. The last people I want to give personal information to
is MSN!

Is there a legitimate work-around for all the PERSONAL information they
require?
Lastly, is there another IM which would allow the file transfer ability
I desire and NOT require my DOB, COMPLETE ADDRESS, etc upon sign-up?

TIA
Vic
__

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

MSN is really trustworthy. I didn't know that the problem of identity theft
is that big in the USA, but here in Europe, I've never heard about any
problems with it.

You could try Yahoo Messenger, which is now compatible with Live Messenger
8.1. To sign up at Yahoo, you will have to registrate using your name and
postal code, I think. Yahoo Messenger should support Filesharing, as far as
I know.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/

Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[David Trimboli]

DL'ed WLM and installed it. Much to my chagrin it requires an MSN
account and MSN REQUIRES *WAY* to much personal information (didn't
sign up, don't want to lie). In the USA we have tremendous problems
with identity theft. The last people I want to give personal
information to is MSN!

Is there a legitimate work-around for all the PERSONAL information
they require?
Lastly, is there another IM which would allow the file transfer
ability I desire and NOT require my DOB, COMPLETE ADDRESS, etc upon
sign-up?

To avoid identity-theft issues, you could set up a *temporary* FTP site
instead of using a chat client. FTP isn't secure, mind you, but it
doesn't require you to create an account with anybody, especially if you
enable anonymous FTP.

The FTP component can be installed in Add or Remove Programs in the
Control Panel, under Add/Remove Windows Components, as a subcomponent of
IIS. You may want to do some reading on FTP before you set it up,
though.