windows vs. msn messenger - whats the difference

[hamish bell]

help - have latest versions of both installed on my PC,
buyt not sure what differences between the two and which
is the best to use?
Any suggestions

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Hamish,


There are several differences between the two. Most notably, MSN Messenger 6 has support for
display pictures, custom emoticons, has a different interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger
supports SIP-based communications services, Exchange IM Server, etc. Which one you use is up
to you, and a matter of personal choice (and based upon your needs and likes), however one
thing to keep in mind, Windows Messenger must still be installed on Windows XP in order for
MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote Assistance, Whiteboard, Application
Sharing, etc.).

MSN Messenger is centered around MSN technologies (Hotmail, MSN Member Profiles, MSN Mobile,
etc.) whereas Windows Messenger is centered around Windows technologies (Exchange Server,
Office Live Communications Server, Windows Netmeeting, etc.).

Both clients however can make use of Microsoft technologies, like the .NET Messenger service,
..NET Passport and .NET Alerts.

Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger are *separate* products, as such, there are capabilities
that Windows Messenger has that MSN Messenger does not (and vice versa), one is not "better"
then the other.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Thomas Wenzl [MVP]]

Hi Jonathan,

There are several differences between the two. Most notably, MSN
Messenger 6 has support for display pictures, custom emoticons, has a
different interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger supports
SIP-based communications services, Exchange IM Server, etc. Which
one you use is up to you, and a matter of personal choice (and based
upon your needs and likes), however one thing to keep in mind,
Windows Messenger must still be installed on Windows XP in order for
MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote Assistance,
Whiteboard, Application Sharing, etc.).

[...]

what do you think about an own article about the differences on
your site?

Regards

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Thomas,

If you mean why isn't it on my site, you'll have to contact me directly.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

Hi Jonathan,

There are several differences between the two. Most notably, MSN
Messenger 6 has support for display pictures, custom emoticons, has a
different interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger supports
SIP-based communications services, Exchange IM Server, etc. Which
one you use is up to you, and a matter of personal choice (and based
upon your needs and likes), however one thing to keep in mind,
Windows Messenger must still be installed on Windows XP in order for
MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote Assistance,
Whiteboard, Application Sharing, etc.).

[...]

what do you think about an own article about the differences on
your site?

Regards
--
Thomas Wenzl [MVP for Outlook]

Share what you know, learn what you don't!
(Deja/Google)

 

[Ray]

Hi,

If I have Windows Messenger on my computer and my friend
has MSN Messenger, can we still communicate online?

Is it a must that Windows Messenger only "talk" to
Windows Messenger?

Thanks

Ray

-----Original Message-----
Greetings Hamish,


There are several differences between the two. Most

notably, MSN Messenger 6 has support for

display pictures, custom emoticons, has a different

interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger

supports SIP-based communications services, Exchange IM

Server, etc. Which one you use is up

to you, and a matter of personal choice (and based upon

your needs and likes), however one

thing to keep in mind, Windows Messenger must still be

installed on Windows XP in order for

MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote

Assistance, Whiteboard, Application

Sharing, etc.).

MSN Messenger is centered around MSN technologies

(Hotmail, MSN Member Profiles, MSN Mobile,

etc.) whereas Windows Messenger is centered around

Windows technologies (Exchange Server,

Office Live Communications Server, Windows Netmeeting, etc.).

Both clients however can make use of Microsoft

technologies, like the .NET Messenger service,

..NET Passport and .NET Alerts.

Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger are *separate*

products, as such, there are capabilities

that Windows Messenger has that MSN Messenger does not

(and vice versa), one is not "better"

 

[Thomas Wenzl [MVP]]

Hi Ray,

If I have Windows Messenger on my computer and my friend
has MSN Messenger, can we still communicate online?

Is it a must that Windows Messenger only "talk" to
Windows Messenger?

no. All people that want to communicate through instant
messaging have to use the same instant messaging service
(or instant messaging protocol).

For Windows and MSN Messenger this service is called
..NET Messenger Service. All what you need is a .NET
Passport account (http://www.passport.com/), but you
can use both Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger.

There are 3rd party clients around that also support the .NET
Messenger Service protocol (and mostly AOL, ICQ and others,
too).

But if you want to communicate through Exchange Instant
Messaging Service (RVP protocol) or Office Live Communications
Server (LCS), you have to use Windows Messenger,
since this is the only product supporting this protocols at the time.

The SIP/SIMPLE/RTP protocols that are used by LCS are industry
standard protocols and can be implemented by any other client,
too. But until now I don't know of any other client application supporting
those protocols and NTLM/Kerberos authentication.

Regards

 

[Ray]

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for your clarification.

Ray

-----Original Message-----
Hi Ray,

If I have Windows Messenger on my computer and my friend
has MSN Messenger, can we still communicate online?

Is it a must that Windows Messenger only "talk" to
Windows Messenger?

no. All people that want to communicate through instant
messaging have to use the same instant messaging service
(or instant messaging protocol).

For Windows and MSN Messenger this service is called
..NET Messenger Service. All what you need is a .NET
Passport account (http://www.passport.com/), but you
can use both Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger.

There are 3rd party clients around that also support the .NET
Messenger Service protocol (and mostly AOL, ICQ and others,
too).

But if you want to communicate through Exchange Instant
Messaging Service (RVP protocol) or Office Live Communications
Server (LCS), you have to use Windows Messenger,
since this is the only product supporting this protocols at the time.

The SIP/SIMPLE/RTP protocols that are used by LCS are industry
standard protocols and can be implemented by any other client,
too. But until now I don't know of any other client application supporting
those protocols and NTLM/Kerberos authentication.

Regards
--
Thomas Wenzl [MVP for Outlook]

Share what you know, learn what you don't!
(Deja/Google)
.