ive got msn messenger 7.5 and messenger plus! 3.63.148. my friends have some special characters in their nicknames like 'spade' but i cant see it. i see it as a square. i downloaded unicoder plugin from the web site  http://www.msgplus.net/pluginsdb/down/ . but in preferences it says not loaded. what can i do? should i do uninstall the msn messenger? (please say no) thanx.   

You shouldn't really need a Unicoder plugin at all. All you need is Unicode fonts.
I guess you're using XP. Are you also using formatting in nicknames? If so, head into Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Languages and check both checkboxes. The, hit OK, and insert your Windows CD when prompted.
This will install all the files necessary to view Unicode characters.

thank you so much raceprouk! its done im grateful to you have good day