Good news!
This weekend I 'revived' one of my projects: http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=40728&page=1
Note that it's (CyBeRDuDe)'s idea.

What does it do?
It takes control of the large advertisement located at the bottom of the main MSN Messenger window:


Various pages can be loaded into that window:
Winamp Controller:

Windows Media Player controller:

Note taker (lets you view, add, edit, and delete little notes):


I attached a beta version of the project, it's entirely coded in c++, and doesn't use any SetParent stuff Also it doesn't patch anything, so I suppose it's completely legal.

Note that the attached version isn't a plugin, but standalone. I will convert it to a plugin as soon as possible. (So please don't move this thread to another forum).

Just extract the files into a new folder, run 'adcontrol.exe', and when everything went alright your adspace should look like the first screen above. Then right click to select a 'page'.

Known bugs:

• The rightclick menu doesn't dissapear when you don't select an item, this can be annoying and I'll look for a solution.
  
• Only the Winamp controller, WMP controller, and notetaker are working. When you choose any of the other options Messenger will probably 'shutdown the ad'.
  
• There might be a security flaw, other people on the network/internet might be able to change your song, and take notes, etc. Got to build in an ip filter.
  
• When you enable the program at first it might not always show the 'startup screen' in the ad. But you can still right click the msn ad to change it.

• Controller in conversation window
  
• iTunes Controller
  
• Plugin version

hey man, first of all, nice job, good to see you got this project up and running

but here are a few suggestions :

1- Where's the Itunes controller ?
2- What about making the jukebox controller appear in the windows conversations as said before?
3- When the plugin is running.. we should have something on msn appear.. like maybe another clickable text like the Plus! one or anything.. so we know it's running..

Now about the bugs.. I told you some on msn..  but here are the main ones :

-AdControl doesnt work if its running more than once at the same time ( thats why we would need suggestion #3.. )
-It freezes out the whole msn messenger if you right clicked but didnt choose anything..
-When clicking on "About", you have to click twice for the "credits" to appear.. twice..! loll ( maybe these aint credits.. just assuming they are due to "Created By..."
-Wmp Controller, Winamp Controller, Note Taker work.. the others, not rlly..
-When you click on an option that doesnt work.. your msn ads come back, ad you have no other otpions to get your AdControl running, except for ctrl+alt+del, closing AdControl, and resignin into msn messenger, then re running AdControl..

that's about it.. Ill update the post if I find something else..

Hey, thanks for testing!

1) Coming up soon!
2) I'll look for that later, takes a whole new approach, but I'll probably implement it.
3) Don't know exactly what you mean, but when I made the plugin version, it'll be running all the time, so I don't think it's a real problem

Freezing thing, + the fact that you shouldn't click certain options were already listed @ the known bugs.
When you click for example: shoutbox, it tries to access a page on my server that doesn't exist yet. MSN then 'closes the ad', by showing its logo. I'm currently having problems with my server, so I can't upload the correct pages yet.

I don't have any trouble with double clicking or something, and I know the about+credits thing is a bit stupid (double), but the credits page is just the 'home page'.

This might not be possible, but i spose its worth asking.

I'm using the Wave 11 skin which can be downloaded from here http://www.afizicalpresence.com

This skin comes with its own ad bar which advertises free smilies. Your adcontrol doesn't take control of this ad probably because it is made in a different way.

Would it be possible to take over this ad? Thanks in advance.

Great plugin but i've patched my msn and don't have the backup so i can't be bovered to reinstall msn

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Originally posted by Absorbation
Great plugin but i've patched my msn and don't have the backup so i can't be bovered to reinstall msn

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Originally posted by monster.rat
A lot of people have their msn patched and have removed their banner. I think a good idea, if it were possible, would be to have an option in Adcontrol to put the ad banner back in if it has been removed by a patch.

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Or if it can somehow 'inject' itself into the space the ad usually goes in, so even on patched MSNs, it displays in the corrent location.

Which, to implement, will most likely be pretty difficult.

I think it would be possible to make a feature to 'reenable' the adbanner. But I don't have any experience with automating reshacks (yet).

@monster.rat: I succeeded enabling the banner with wave 11:


It required a little reshack + a tiny code change. It will probably be a nice option as well in the final installer.

quote:

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Originally posted by Juzzi
I think it would be possible to make a feature to 'reenable' the adbanner. But I don't have any experience with automating reshacks (yet).

@monster.rat: I succeeded enabling the banner with wave 11:


It required a little reshack + a tiny code change. It will probably be a nice option as well in the final installer.

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quote:

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Originally posted by monster.rat
Thanks Juzzi, is this updated in the attachment of your first post or only for the final installer?

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do you still want me to make the mpsounds.net ad page Juzzi?

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Originally posted by Dempsey
do you still want me to make the mpsounds.net ad page Juzzi?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Juzzi

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Originally posted by Dempsey
do you still want me to make the mpsounds.net ad page Juzzi?

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Yes, why not! Set it up at http://www.mpsounds.net/?id=adcontrol and it'll immediately work. Btw, did you guys actually test it yet (Raceprouk/Dempsey/...)?

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I haven't either. However, I have Wave11, MSNM7 unpatched, and MSNM6, so I may.

It can now successfully communicate with iTunes, but I need to make a skin with all the functions (current track bar will be supported) before I update the file. I don't have time for that now, done enough for today

@raceprouk, it would be nice if you could test it and tell me whether it works for you on msn 6/7

How do i install this?

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Just extract the files into a new folder, run 'adcontrol.exe', and when everything went alright your adspace should look like the first screen above. Then right click to select a 'page'.

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ive tried with msn running and msn messenger not running and after i run it and open msn its advertisements

I'm Glad you're changing this into a plugin and making it work for the Wave 11 skin thanks Juzzi

One thing i notice though, when double click adcontrol.exe then i go to click the start menu, the start menu doesn't open...

But once i terminate it in the processes menu, i'm able to open it again

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Originally posted by ~!dylan!~
ive tried with msn running and msn messenger not running and after i run it and open msn its advertisements

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lt.Col.DraGon
How do i install this?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Reading the first post is allowed.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lt.Col.DraGon

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Reading the first post is allowed.

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I click on the adcontrol.exe and it is not working, I don't know, I'm gonna try and dl it again

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Omg, it is still not working,...

I open adcontrol.exe , i see it on task manager. I open MSN Messenger, when I sign in, another add appears and when I right-click it, it says "Play", "Rewind", "About Macromedia Flash Player".

What am I doing wrong?

Are you using polygamy? Otherwise, add me to msn (check profile), maybe I can help you ou. Or you could wait for a newer version.

when will the shoutbox work im reeeaaaly exited!

PS:well done i like it alot! keep up the good work

Looking forward to this being finished, and releeased as a plugin!

(The main reason I posted was to follow this thread by mail-notification - couldn't find an option to recieve mail without posting....)

THis seems great...would it be possible to make a thing like winamp but for musicmatch?

quote:

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Originally posted by einum
(The main reason I posted was to follow this thread by mail-notification - couldn't find an option to recieve mail without posting....)

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Ah! Thank you Dempsey! I'll keep that in mind next time. I was looking for a button or something, and thought I checked all the link down on the left too - but obviously I missed at least one of them....

Nice to see so much enthousiasm!
The last few days I didn't work very hard on the program because of the nice wheather over here (30 degrees Celsius ). Anyway, the iTunes controller works fine now, and maybe I can release a plugin version this weekend .

quote:

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Originally posted by lou_habs
THis seems great...would it be possible to make a thing like winamp but for musicmatch?

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quote:

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Originally posted by super-schaf
when will the shoutbox work im reeeaaaly exited!

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This is great news juzzi and well done! I think you have worked really hard with this and hopefully we can make ADP 2 a success as well.

Thanks destruction!

Last minute's progress.... (hold your breath)



This controller in the conversation, actually works! The height & layout need to be adjusted though, and some more little problems.

[offtopic]The technique used could probably also be used to replace the avatar, and add 'fake animated display pictures'.[/offtopic]

quote:

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Originally posted by Juzzi
Thanks destruction!

Last minute's progress.... (hold your breath)



This controller in the conversation, actually works! The height & layout need to be adjusted though, and some more little problems.

[offtopic]The technique used could probably also be used to replace the avatar, and add 'fake animated display pictures'.[/offtopic]

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quote:

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Originally posted by (CyBeRDuDe)
DUDE!!!!!
Serisouly???? Omg!!... If this is true share your information with a few others...??
Is it any speciel technique or how did you manage to get it working?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kruxx
O..M..G..

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Yes it was a positive response ! Good job mate. Similar to the Wave11 skin, the Neowin skin also replaces the ad in the contact window with it's sponsor ad (smiley central ) So at the moment (I've just switched to that skin) I can't use it for this feature, would it be possible to over-write this ad too, like you did with Wave11...

quote:

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Originally posted by Kruxx
Yes it was a positive response ! Good job mate. Similar to the Wave11 skin, the Neowin skin also replaces the ad in the contact window with it's sponsor ad (smiley central ) So at the moment (I've just switched to that skin) I can't use it for this feature, would it be possible to over-write this ad too, like you did with Wave11...

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where can we download the one for convo?!?!...

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Originally posted by ~!dylan!~

where can we download the one for convo?!?!...

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Very f***ing well done Juzzi!!! .. I know you have been working hard on this one, and it looks so impressive!!! ...
It is really nice to see "my original" Media Controller On Adspace idea taking form as a really nice and well-done plugin... I can't give you enough possitive words for this job.. ... It looks so promising I can't wait til the final release!!! !!!

oh cmon!...i could test it for you and let u knwo hwo it works

Just wondering, is this going to be skinable in the final release? i.e. add your own images for the media controller buttons.

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Originally posted by ~!dylan!~
oh cmon!...i could test it for you and let u knwo hwo it works

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Originally posted by Madman
Just wondering, is this going to be skinable in the final release? i.e. add your own images for the media controller buttons.

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Hopefully you make the WinAmp-controller in the conversation window just as thin as the MediaPlayer-controller. I don't feel like wanting that thick line with buttons under my convo.... Try to make it as close to the size that the AdBanner-line originally is below the convo.

^^^^ Did you not see the latest screenshot?

http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=469941

Yes, I did, but that was Windows Media Player, not WinAmp. If you select Windows Media Player in your contact list, the buttons are just as small as in the convo window screenshot you refer to. The only difference is that the text is located below the buttons in the contact list window.

If you compare the WinAmp convo window screenshot http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=469698 with the WinAmp in your contact list, you will see they are the same too.

That is why I wrote

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Hopefully you make the WinAmp-controller in the conversation window just as thin as the MediaPlayer-controller.

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Don't worry guys, the winamp controller will be the same size as the WMP controller . The early screenshot was just to show I managed to put it there, this is why I said:

quote:

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Originally posted by Juzzi
The height & layout need to be adjusted though

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kruxx
^^^^ Did you not see the latest screenshot?

http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=469941

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quote:

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Originally posted by einum
Yes, I did, but that was Windows Media Player, not WinAmp. If you select Windows Media Player in your contact list, the buttons are just as small as in the convo window screenshot you refer to. The only difference is that the text is located below the buttons in the contact list window.

If you compare the WinAmp convo window screenshot http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=469698 with the WinAmp in your contact list, you will see they are the same too.

That is why I wrote

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Hopefully you make the WinAmp-controller in the conversation window just as thin as the MediaPlayer-controller.

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Read again, and check the text below / next to the controller buttons on the two previously attached pictures, and you will probably understand what I mean.

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Alright guys, I've been ill for a few days, and now I continued this project again
I've been working on the patching system, and it works quite fine now. It also supports patched-versions of msn (although this still needs some improvement).

I also realised that soft-patching might be better instead, but I didn't have time yet to look how that works (anyone can help me on that perhaps?).

Also, I don't know when you can expect a new downloadable version yet. I guess I have to catch up with my schoolwork first

Cool, if you do skins, try to make it look like the WMP10 bar for the WMP one

I uploaded a new version, go ahead and give it a try, check out the main post.

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Originally posted by Juzzi
I uploaded a new version, go ahead and give it a try, check out the main post.

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When the final version is released, I hope there will be "something" inside the configuration of the plugin in Messenger Plus!'s settings. Now it's just the About-box there. I want WinAmp to be default, not WMP. And some others probably want iTunes to be default. Besides that, I have no negative comments, a great plugin!

Uh.... one more thing, the WinAmp controller buttons inside the conversation wasn't the nicest looking buttons I've seen... It isn't possible to see any difference between STOP and PAUSE! What about using the buttons from WinAmps own "Windowshade mode" (the button between Minimize and Close in the upper right of WinAmp's main window) instead of something that looks like redused sized normal buttons...?

quote:

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Originally posted by einum
Uh.... one more thing, the WinAmp controller buttons inside the conversation wasn't the nicest looking buttons I've seen... It isn't possible to see any difference between STOP and PAUSE! What about using the buttons from WinAmps own "Windowshade mode" (the button between Minimize and Close in the upper right of WinAmp's main window) instead of something that looks like redused sized normal buttons...?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Juzzi
Also you do not need to comment the skins yet. This release is just to test whether it works for most users. I know the winamp buttons in the conv window are terribly small, this will all be improved.

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Originally posted by (CyBeRDuDe)Please read the update on the first post.. Here.. I'll Quote it for you...

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quote:

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Originally posted by einum
When the final version is released, I hope there will be "something" inside the configuration of the plugin in Messenger Plus!'s settings. Now it's just the About-box there. I want WinAmp to be default, not WMP. And some others probably want iTunes to be default. Besides that, I have no negative comments, a great plugin!

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Originally posted by einum
I found something that I feel is a major disadvantage of this plugin, it hijackes my MSN Today page with AdControl-buttons there too!

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Originally posted by Juzzi
One more question: do you guys think that when you change the page in a convo window, all convo windows should change to that page, or is the current way fine (change just the one you clicked)? (keep in mind there will be a default-page-feature, as stated before)

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• If it was only in one window you could stop talking to a person but you would have to keep their window open (or start the plug-in with another person) which could be annoying
  
• Because it is only a thin bar which I dont think anybody really looks at much I dont see the problem in having it in all windows
  
• It could be a hassle finding the right conversation if you are talking to many people and the media controller is only in one of the windows

Hmmm... Just installed the update. Result: got the ads back!

Well i uninstalled my skin just to try it, but once i copy msn dir to the msn directory and double click on adcontrol_patch.exe it says -

Could not create backup file, continue anyway?

Then if i click yes, the 'send error' report box comes up

If i click no, it just closes

Any suggestions on how to get it working?

I fixed the problems with MSN Today & games, download the new version (main post) or simply replace the existing msnhook.dll (in your Messenger Plus!\plugins\Adcontrol directory) with the attached one.

@haydn, I'm not sure whether you got my point. I didn't mean to add the controller to only one window. I meant must selecting another page change all convo-controllers to that page, or only the one you right-clicked (like now)?

quote:

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Originally posted by Leif
Hmmm... Just installed the update. Result: got the ads back!

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Originally posted by Juzzi
I fixed the problems with MSN Today & games, download the new version (main post)

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Oopz sorry, had it in the windows messenger folder, my mistake

For some reason though it still aint working, i double click on adcontrol_patch.exe it opens, then closes, then i open my msn messenger, and it still isn't there

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Originally posted by Third Dimension
For some reason though it still aint working, i double click on adcontrol_patch.exe it opens, then closes, then i open my msn messenger, and it still isn't there

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Originally posted by Juzzi

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Originally posted by Leif
Hmmm... Just installed the update. Result: got the ads back!

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Explain further... it does bring back the main adspace, but replaces it with the controller of course.

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Originally posted by Leif
Looks like this:

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Originally posted by Juzzi

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Originally posted by Leif
Looks like this:

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Hmm I see, weird :/ right-clicking it has no effect I suppose?

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quote:

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what about the convo window?

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Ok this is coming together now good work, let me know if you need any help. I'll upload your plugin later so people can get it from there as  well (i'll zip it to save people having to use winrar when they dont have it)

Keep up the good work

Although it still doesn't work for all people, some others only had trouble installing. Try the attached installer

But this time it at least appears in the plugin section of Plus!
Doesn't work, though.

Edit: So I deleted the offending file and reinstalled. No luck this time either, but no error message, of course. This plug-in simply does not work for me.

Edit 2: I talked Tillman (my co-translator) into installing it.
Result 1: He got the ads back
Result 2: Tillman very angry now
(and he's from Motala, so beware ...)

Tillman aka si3rra...
Result..
Ad banner re-appers, msn song links gone...

posting screenshot..

quote:

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Originally posted by si3rra
Tillman aka si3rra...
Result..
Ad banner re-appers, msn song links gone...

posting screenshot..

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never hade problem with songlinks or contact cards before installing adControl!

edit.. after reinstalling msn.. i found out one more thing that dissapered...
see screenshot, those 2 was NOT there when running adcontrol..

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Originally posted by si3rra
never hade problem with songlinks or contact cards before installing adControl!

edit.. after reinstalling msn.. i found out one more thing that dissapered...
see screenshot, those 2 was NOT there when running adcontrol..

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Originally posted by Juzzi
Add me to msn (see profile), then I can help you out more easily

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quote:

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Originally posted by Juzzi
Although it still doesn't work for all people, some others only had trouble installing. Try the attached installer

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any idea when a decent beta/ final version will be released i love the sound of this thing, can't wait to start skinning it

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Originally posted by Juzzi

quote:

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Originally posted by si3rra
edit.. after reinstalling msn.. i found out one more thing that dissapered...
see screenshot, those 2 was NOT there when running adcontrol..

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I doubt adcontrol as something to do with that. But I'll look over the patching system :/

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i have noticed them!.. i use them!..
But something is'nt right
Cuz.. after installing AdControl my firewall tells me "Application has changed since the last time" file: msnmsgr.exe

what does adcontrol change in "msnmsgr.exe" ?

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Originally posted by si3rra
what does adcontrol change in "msnmsgr.exe" ?

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Originally posted by Absorbation

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Originally posted by si3rra
what does adcontrol change in "msnmsgr.exe" ?

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It pacthes it to make it restore the banner

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no

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Originally posted by Juzzieinum & si3rra, is it working for you?

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Hrmm, Juzzi i find that sometimes Adcontrol just doesn't load, itll be there in the processes, but somoetimes it wont load in the convo windows, and soemtimes it wont load in the contact list, or sometimes it wont load in both

Ok, right now I followed everything correctly but nothing works at all, and I'm assuming adcontrol.exe? is supposed to be running in the processes, which it isn't. I'm gonna go restart my computer now and see the results.

P.S you can change the look of the buttons by going into the MsgPlus plugins dir, then go into adcontrol, large, then pick a player then go into images. Edit the images to how you want it . I haven't tried this but I'm guessing it should work.

quote:

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Originally posted by Solar_custom
Ok, right now I followed everything correctly but nothing works at all, and I'm assuming adcontrol.exe? is supposed to be running in the processes, which it isn't. I'm gonna go restart my computer now and see the results.

P.S you can change the look of the buttons by going into the MsgPlus plugins dir, then go into adcontrol, large, then pick a player then go into images. Edit the images to how you want it . I haven't tried this but I'm guessing it should work.

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quote:

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Originally posted by DJHasis
Wicked!

But if the canvas size get's bigger then how can those links on the buttons be rearranged for the new buttons?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Solar_custom
Also, this thing just isn't working for me. Let me try once again right now!

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Thanks alot, solved part of my problem because now, sometimes it just doesn't show or sometimes it does. Apart from this problem, I love it

[EDIT]: Juzzi, is there anyway I could have the Winamp skin in replace for the Windows Media Player skins because WMP skins look ugly. Also the buttons don't change when your mouse goes over it or anything, which makes it very boring.

Hey Solar, you answered your question yourself:

quote:

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Originally posted by Solar_custom
P.S you can change the look of the buttons by going into the MsgPlus plugins dir, then go into adcontrol, large, then pick a player then go into images. Edit the images to how you want it . I haven't tried this but I'm guessing it should work.

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Yeah your exactly right Juzzi, but I want the Winamp skins instead of the WMP ones (i.e the WMP skin is replaced by the winamp skins) but  the button isn't the same such as there isn't no play/pause button for Winamp.  So this has left me confused on what to do...

quote:

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Originally posted by Solar_custom
Yeah your exactly right Juzzi, but I want the Winamp skins instead of the WMP ones (i.e the WMP skin is replaced by the winamp skins) but  the button isn't the same such as there isn't no play/pause button for Winamp.  So this has left me confused on what to do...

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Any news about this awesome plugin?

Wow, finally something useful!

Ive also had these icons missing for forever (Replaced with blank icon) and when I installed the plugin it fixed them

I like it alot, shame the winamp buttons are so ugly. (In convo that is)

I can't even make the controller show up at all

quote:

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Originally posted by King Of Chaos
I can't even make the controller show up at all

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Ah, there's activity in this thread again

I hope to release an 'official version' within 3 weeks. Anyone wants to skin the buttons?

have a bit of other work to do (like skinning web2messenger forums) and matty's ipod software, but im sure that i can fit it in there somewhere.

I don't patch the ads, but the controllers are blank (i can right click and get options but nothing happens)

BTW, i'm using MSNM v7.5.0303 if that matters

quote:

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Originally posted by King Of Chaos
I don't patch the ads, but the controllers are blank (i can right click and get options but nothing happens)

BTW, i'm using MSNM v7.5.0303 if that matters

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• Did you use the installer?
  
• Did you press block on a firewall message?
  
• Try visit http://localhost:8002/small/wmp/index.html, anything there?

Hehehe, I got it to work (had to allow it to use the firewall.....but it never poped up a little thing telling me to allow it...hummmmmm)

Anyways, I love this plugin sooo much...but I notice sometimes it switches back to WMP mode from Winamp mode, without me changing it (after I minimize MSNM)

Also, Is there any way for it to blend with the background your using (i'm using a dynamic background and its orange on the bottom) with the convo controller........Also, is there anyway to center the controls in the convo controller?

Great to hear it's working!
Centering the controls will be quite impossible. You can skin everything in the AdControl msgplus plugins dir, however, there will always be a white line next to the adcontrol space in the convo... I might be able to do something about that, I'll check

Yay, thanks man Your the best!!

Just made it so AdControl will only "softpatch" MSN Messenger. This means it's legal, and you messenger will look normal when you disabled adcontrol for some reason. The new version is not available for download yet.

Thanks for the updated news man.

any more developments - i just rediscovered this since it was made wmp compatible (even though that was ages ago!!)