Taking advantage of a few days off (yes, I know how sad it is that I dabble with computers on my days off after using them for long-hours during my working days…) I installed Microsoft Windows Live Messenger today.
The upgrade from MSN Messenger went without problem and the new interface looks very clean and tidy.
The most obvious new feature I can see is the “Shared Folders” – where you can drag and drop files to be shared with individual contacts whether they are on-line or off-line. Each contact has their own “Shared Folder” where files are stored. I’m sure this feature will prove useful.
I also took the opportunity to use the PC 2 Phone feature through Verizon. Call rates are a very reasonable 0.14p per minute to most places in the world, with no connection charge that I’m aware of. Verizon also throw in an hours worth of free calls (which must be used within 90 days) when you open an account. I decided to give the service the “Dad Test and call the old man. The thing about calling fellow geeks is that they are likely to overlook any poor quality and just be wow’d by the technology at use. My Dad, George, on the other hand is more likely to call it as he hears it. Anyway – we agreed the quality wasn’t up to a “normal” telephone call standard, but it was more than good enough to hold a conversation – so a thumbs up. This feature would really come into it’s own if you were in a hotel which gave free Wi-Fi. Avoid huge hotel telephone bills by using PC 2 Phone! Sadly, most hotels (nay, most Wi-Fi hotspots) charge a ridiculous premium to get a Wireless Internet connection – so the benefits are negated.
Finally – no Messenger installation would be complete without installing Messenger Plus! A new version that is compatible with Live is available now.
Away from the Instant Messenger area, the home of TubbBlog has now morphed from “MSN Spaces” to ”Windows Live Spaces” and the difference in service quality is massive! The frustrations I had using “MSN Spaces” ranged from problems using Firefox, to it losing blog entries, to simply being unable to use the service. In the days leading up to the new “Live Spaces” coming on-line, these problems were apparant more than ever – thus the lack of blog entries. I’m delighted to say I’ve found “Live Spaces” nothing less but snappy to use and – GASP – it seems to work in FireFox too. 
One final observation is that the “Windows Live” range seems to both promote and make easy things such as sharing photos and blogging. Not that it was too hard before – but those of us who don’t eat, sleep and breathe technology were still unlikely to use such features. In the days since “Live” has gone, erm, live, I’ve noticed a few friends start to put content on-line. This can only be a good thing!
So all in all, a thumbs up!
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