MSN Messenger is one of the most popular Instant Messengers around the world. It supports instant messaging and allows messages to be enlivened with graphical emotional icons, flash animations, animated display pictures, styled text, and many more with third-party add-ons. Other features of the software include voice conversations, web cams, transferring files, built-in two-player online games.[1]
In 2007, both MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger clients were enhanced and rebranded to Windows Live Messenger, which adds the following features:
Sharing folder – an alternative to direct file sharing, in which files are automatically transferred to the corresponding computer when the files are added to the sharing folder for that particular person.
Interoperability with Yahoo Messenger – this allows Yahoo and Windows Live Messenger users to chat to each other without having to create an account of the client. And that forms the second largest instant messenger user base worldwide (40% of all users).[3]
Games and applications – can be shared between buddies on the contact list.
PC-to-phone calls/messaging – PC-to-phone calls are now available in selected countries such as the US and some European countries. Since Windows Live Messenger is available on a few phones, people tend to send messages over Windows Live Messenger network instead of sending SMS through the mobile network.
Compared to Windows Live Messenger, Skype is known as a softphone, a more sophisticated software program for PC-to-PC calls as well as PC-to-phone calls, which also includes features such as instant messaging, file transfer, short message service, video conferencing global user directory, call logs and its ability to circumvent firewalls.
Compared to Windows Live Messenger, Skype is known as a softphone, a more sophisticated software program for PC-to-PC calls as well as PC-to-phone calls, which also includes features such as instant messaging, file transfer, short message service, video conferencing global user directory, call logs and its ability to circumvent firewalls.
Skype is available in 28 languages and is used most countries around the world.[6] Skype allows users to make and receive calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Currently 3 Skypephone (a mobile phone with skype built-in for free Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messaging) has been developed in partnership with the mobile operator 3. By using 3 Skypephone, people to make free calls and send instant message for free without computer, yet this service is only available in the following countires/ Cities: UK, Australia, Italy, Hongkong, Sweden, Danmark, Austria, and Republic of Ireland.[7]
Tencent QQ, referred to as QQ is the most popular instant messaging computer program in china, and the third most popular IM service around the world. It is extremely popular among Chinese youth people and is generally used by people inside china, or who wants to communicate with people inside this country.
Tencent QQ, referred to as QQ is the most popular instant messaging computer program in china, and the third most popular IM service around the world. It is extremely popular among Chinese youth people and is generally used by people inside china, or who wants to communicate with people inside this country.
QQ started with a focus on text messaging, but soon launched with new services such as Mobile QQ, SMS-based match-making service, messaging, instant messaging for businesses, online games and advertising brokering. QQ is adding more and more entertainment services, and that leads Tencent's virtual money system into great success. QQ coins can be used to buy virtual products such as items to use in games, or accessories for the avatar that they use for instant messaging conversations and it is now threatening the State monopoly on issuing money.[9]
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Reference:
[1] “Wikipedia: MSN Messenger”, 2008 Answers Corporation, accessed on 30 March, 2008, <http://www.answers.com/topic/msn-messenger-1?cat=technology>
[2] Image edited by Andrea Zheng, 2008
[3] “Wikipedia: MSN Messenger”, 2008 Answers Corporation, accessed on 30 March, 2008, <http://www.answers.com/topic/windows-live-messenger?cat=technology>
[4] “Use Skype”, 2008 Skype Limited, accessed on 31 March, 2008, <http://www.skype.com/intl/en/allfeatures/3skypephone/>
[5] Image edited by Andrea Zheng, 2008
[6] “About us”, 2008 Skype Limited, accessed on 31 March, 2008, <http://about.skype.com/>
[7] “Use Skype”, 2008 Skype Limited, accessed on 31 March, 2008, <http://www.skype.com/intl/en/allfeatures/3skypephone/>
[8] Image edited by Andrea Zheng, 2008
[9] “Meet China’s Google trouncer – indiatimes news network, 2008, Times Internet Limited, accessed on 31 March 2008, <http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Meet_Chinas_Google_trouncer/articleshow/1568771.cms>
[8] Image edited by Andrea Zheng, 2008
[9] “Meet China’s Google trouncer – indiatimes news network, 2008, Times Internet Limited, accessed on 31 March 2008, <http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Meet_Chinas_Google_trouncer/articleshow/1568771.cms>
2 comments:
This is some good information, but instant messaging has some major limitations. I didn't really know about MSN's ability to share files, and this does make it more conducive to collaboration, but the functionality would have to be tested to see the viability of MSN as an overall collaboration tool. It would be good to extend this research into other online collaboration applications. I know that some members of Graham Hannah's group have found a quite powerful collaboration tool, it may be worth looking at some of their blogs to see what they may be using.
hey, thanks for ut comment,:D i put ur link on my page!
and now i need to write about "network".... what time r we going to meet on sunday?
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