Windows Messenger Confusion

[Zigzag]

Hi all,

I'm currently having a confused moment over windows messenger that I hope
somebody can remedy.

1) I'm currently running windows messenger and read on this forum of a
version 5 being available.
Bear with me on this one:
On this page,
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/windowsmessenger/videos/text.mspx,
sure enough there it says "Download Windows Messenger 5". Clicking on the
link takes you to the default messenger page at ms.com, then clicking the
link to download takes you to the messenger download page,
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/download.asp), and clicking the
link to confirm the download takes you to the ms XP SP2 download page which
says that SP2 contains the latest win messenger version.

I have SP2 and my version of win messenger is showing 4.7.3000.

I'm quite prepared to accept that I'm mad but there are limits.

Anybody know what is going on? What does version 5 contain that 4.7 doesn't?

2) On another point, JK has gone to pains to explain the differences between
windows and msn messenger and the differences in technology.
The question I would like to ask is this: My daughter (windows messenger)
can text and speak to her friend who is using msn messenger but cannot have
a video conversation. Despite the differences in technology SHOULD she be
able to have such a video conversation or is it beyond the point of
compatibility?

Tia

Ziggy

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Zigzag,

1) Actually Windows Messenger 5 and 4 are considered separate products (although don't worry,
they do upgrade each other). Windows Messenger 5 is considered the client for Live
Communications Server and Exchange (although it also connects to the .NET Messenger Service).
There really isn't any real reason to upgrade to 5.x unless you really want to.

2) Actually MSN Messenger has two different video modes, one which works across all Windows
versions that MSN Messenger is supported (called "Webcam") and another which only works on
Windows XP and is backwards compatible with Windows Messenger (called "Video Conference").
As such, as long as her friend is using Windows XP, all that's required is that her friend
click the Actions menu and chose the Video Conference option (otherwise, you'll need to
download and use MSN Messenger instead).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Zigzag]

Many thanks JK, crystal clear as usual.

Ziggy

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Ziggy,

I do my best

____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.