I'm currently writing up a feature all about the upcoming version of Windows Live Messenger, in which I expect its first details to surface this summer. Part of this feature is about gathering feedback from people who know something about the program, so I'm asking the Plus! forums what features or changes would you like to see in WLM 10.

I personally would love to see full integration with social networking services and an overhaul of the file transfer system. I would appreciate comments any of you have on Messenger's future in general.

Thanks guys

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Originally posted by absorbation
I personally would love to see full integration with social networking services and an overhaul of the file transfer system. I would appreciate comments any of you have on Messenger's future in general.

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Less bloat

I'll quote myself from a previous post elsewhere. I did change things here and there though, but it fits the situation perfectly:

File Transfers
They are slow compared to other applications. The transfers are limited (under normal circumstances) to three at a time. What for? No browser limits me to that, why should my instant messenger do it? The progress bar isn't as detailed as one would expect (perhaps an estimated time remaining, like most people have come to be accustomed with other programs?).

Invite feature?
Sorry to break it to you Microsoft, but that's not an invite button at all. That's a "force this contact into this conversation" button. This means that your email can get revealed to someone you may not want, you may be forced into a conversation with way too many people, perhaps even people you have blocked. Instead of labelling it invite, if you're not going to make a proper invite feature, why not label it "Force a contact to join this conversation"?

Customization
Although this has improved lately with the new "Layout" tab in the options, Windows Live Messenger doesn't have half as much customization from the base product as it should. Users requested skinning for so long, why is it that Patchou had to be the one to add it in? They say they listen to user feedback, yet the closest step they have taken to skinning in all the years is probably backgrounds in conversation windows, and the new scenes. On that note, it seems that you can't have a scene that fits everyone, many contacts will see it distorted in some way.

Forced updates
What's with that? Forcing users to update, otherwise they can't use the application? Sure, it might fix an exploit, and in that case it's understandable. But otherwise? Why would you force users to update if it's not to actually make it safer? At least give them the choice to update right away or not. It's their computer after all.

The contact list
Why can we not order the contacts in any way we want? It's possible now with the favourite group, but other than that, it's alphabetical or online versus offline, and that's it. What if I want certain contacts to be at the top all the time, regardless? Drag and drop should work every time, for whatever I want to do.

Tabbed chats?
Sure, Messenger Plus! does it, and quite great. It would suck to steal from Messenger Plus!, but if they listened to users' feedback over the years, Messenger Plus! would not have had to implement it. Users have requested it forever, and never got it. Of course they'll turn to another application to do it, but should they have to?

Formatting
Don't get me wrong, I love using stuff like Messenger Plus!, and I can tolerate using it for stuff like tabs and all that, because that may not be a feature that everyone wants, but formatting should definitely be implemented directly. The one thing that's useful in conversations is adding bold or italics to emphasize something. Maybe not colours, but at least a way to change the formatting in the middle of a sentence or paragraph. Now I can do it, but only with people that have Messenger Plus! installed as well. What a loss...

Custom emoticons
I love the idea of being able to have custom emoticons, but I hate the idea of people being able to abuse it. I don't want to turn them all off for those few contacts that abuse it. I should be able to set it so only certain contacts can't send me custom emoticons, it should be simple enough.

Polygamy
Why is that not implemented directly? I just don't get it. Thanks again Messenger Plus! (and not to mention Mess Patch and A-patch and also Messenger Discovery).

Custom Statuses
That is implemented in most other IM programs, why not this one? Especially now with brb gone, I don't want to set my status to away only for a minute or two, yet I want people that decide to start a conversation to be aware that I won't reply right away. It'd be nice to have custom statuses. Thanks Plus!

Connection/servers
Sure, it's normal that servers have maintenance and things need to be upgraded and kept well. Why not connect me to a backup server, or a server from another country that while a little bit slower may allow me to still connect? Just because my account is assigned a specific server, when it's down, I shouldn't have to be down with it. There are usually other servers that are up and running, spread the load but keep it active.

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Originally posted by Lou
That's a "force this contact into this conversation" button. This means that your email can get revealed to someone you may not want,

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Solve the irritating bug of lost messages once and for all.

I agree with .Lou

I'd like to see alerts which are more customisable (like one which pop up if someone goes offline, but only for people who you are talking to), and take up less space, also, a chat window icon to reflect contacts' status (so if they go busy or away I can just scan my eyeballs across the taskbar, I know there's a script for this and Stuffplug used to have it but it's such a simple and useful feature that should have been in Messenger itself from the beginning).

an option to show dp's in contact list (small), like it was in 7.5

i kno mess patch has tried and half succeeded before.. but without the feature wlm has never felt the same since

There is already an option to do that, click , next to the add or scripts button.

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Originally posted by robert_dll
There is already an option to do that, click , next to the add or scripts button.

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i have to say, i hate that damn *mouseover* menu, that pops up all the time, when browsing my contact list

and put wlm back in the toolbar, on windows 7

A few must-have features are as follows:

-Make the dots before every message optional. Seriously, I hate them, and every time I want to copy and paste a message, it does this:

Fred says:
*Hi
*How's it going

-Allow us to choose which side the avatars are on.

And if possible, I'd like there to be a way to choose the way the messages are displayed.

Right now, they are displayed like this:

Fred says (10:00):
Hi
How's it going

But I'd also like to see

Fred(10:00): Hi
Fred(10:00): How's it going

-Also, what happened to signature sounds? I know they have custom sounds still, but I liked signature sounds.

-Arrange chat windows with more space in mind. As of right now, the chat window area for the actual text is getting smaller and smaller. There are a lot of spaces in the window that aren't being used.

-What's up with the memory usage? It can take upwards of 60K KB RAM at a time, and for what?


and one last thing, what happened to Music Mix? I used it all the time to share some audio files with friends. Why is it gone?

Yay the post is over

I'll add a few comments just in case you didn't know.

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Originally posted by chordleburger
A few must-have features are as follows:

-Make the dots before every message optional. Seriously, I hate them, and every time I want to copy and paste a message, it does this:

Fred says:
*Hi
*How's it going

-Allow us to choose which side the avatars are on.

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Originally posted by chordleburger
And if possible, I'd like there to be a way to choose the way the messages are displayed.

Right now, they are displayed like this:

Fred says (10:00):
Hi
How's it going

But I'd also like to see

Fred(10:00): Hi
Fred(10:00): How's it going

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Originally posted by chordleburger
-Arrange chat windows with more space in mind. As of right now, the chat window area for the actual text is getting smaller and smaller. There are a lot of spaces in the window that aren't being used.

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Originally posted by kiyiko
i hate that damn *mouseover* menu, that pops up all the time, when browsing my contact list

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i would like to see oversized dp option again.it was one of the best thing of msn messenger 7.

Lou, please work for Microsoft. WLM would be so much better.

The only reason I use Microsoft's IM app as opposed to any other is because WLM is the dominant IM software in my country. I'd say there are maybe 1000 people using ICQ and 2 million using WLM (as an example).

Umm, I digress

Lookwise, there is a lot that needs to be done. Messenger has looked worse and worse with every version since 8.1, and v2009 looks like, dare I say it, complete shit. Not that I'd give a hoot normally, but since I can't even log on to the network without updating to v14, it suddenly becomes personal. It looks so bad in fact, that it got me in a bad mood this morning, which still sort of lingers in my mind.

Windows Messenger needs to look like MSN MESSENGER. Circa 7.5-8.0. That, or the second best alternative: less  bloat, more customisation options. In essence, that would pretty much entail everything that's been said in this thread already.

In sum: Less colours, less Aero Glass crap, less "features".

Webcam that works thousands like me wish this so please fix this error and dont blame on other programs or firewalls cos i have done everything told and guess what still dont work
WEBCAM SESSION ENDED thats all i get hope you can fix it

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This is already an option in Messenger. Go to Tools> Options> Messages> Untick "Group sequential messages from each contact together".

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Avalon Concept offers both

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You can make it bigger by hiding the personal message and the menu bar.

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Well first of all, please have a look at these problems (annoyances) http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=92251

To sum up:
- I like to have an option to turn off and on the clear type within the messenger
- I like to have an option to disable the animated pictures in the chat window, so it is only a static picture like it was in all the previous versions of MSN

- I like to have more options to display the status of the people in the contact list: you now have a couple of options regarding displaying the display picture or to use a colored icon for the status. In my opinion the old way was better, because it was less destracting. Only red and green is enough for me. Besides that I don't like the new icons... (a colored square).

- A new option would be great to have the file transfers not in the text of the chatwindow but between the 2 display containers with a progression bar and perhaps a resume option

- Old Interface like MSN 8. The gems in 2009 are ugly, to small and sometimes its hard to see wich one is online, away etc. Im not color blind but that yellow sometimes looks like green.

Just one thing, get rid of this whole ugly colouring thing and revert back to buddy icons.

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Originally posted by gaara20
- Old Interface like MSN 8. The gems in 2009 are ugly, to small and sometimes its hard to see wich one is online, away etc. Im not color blind but that yellow sometimes looks like green.

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- See who has audio or/and video directly in contact list;
Maybe this is a good idea. I dunno if it already exists but it maybe would be a good feature, look at the picture/screenshot:


When people click on the webcam-button or the audio-button it will send an invitation to start webcam or audio.

If it already exists or if there is a plugin like this, tell me =)

I would like to see the option to Always Appear Offline to specific people.  I do not want to have to block certain people that I don't want to chat to at that time.

I still want to be able to receive messages from those people, so block would not work there.

Appearing offline to all members to avoid needing this feature will not work also as I need to be Online to have certain features like Video Call working.

Also I want people that I would actually want to chat to at that time to know that I am online, while chosen people will see me as being offline but can still have contact with me.

This feature is already implemented in Yahoo Messenger, but I dont like yahoo at all.

Thank you, having this feature will make WLM complete for me.  Apart from the bloated GUI

i'd like to see it cleaned up you have Delete Contact & Block Contact. i'd like those 2 options put into one option. if you choose ( Delete Contact ) you can just tick the Block an Delete contact. IMO both having those 2 options there are confusing the user,

1.) Please!!!!!!! Correct the bad voice- and webcamfunction!!!!!
2.) Implented MSN-PLUS
3.)

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I would like to see the option to Always Appear Offline to specific people.

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Originally posted by honey114
1.) Please!!!!!!! Correct the bad voice- and webcamfunction!!!!!
2.) Implented MSN-PLUS
3.)  (like the yahoo messenger)
4.) Maybe a Twitter-Plugin???
...

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Turn off Mirror Image on Webcam (at least give the god damn option!!)

Webcams can be large no matter what desktop resolution (Where's the sense in this!?!)

Turn off the MSN Space community? I never use it, so why log everything I do?!

If they had those basic settings it would make MSN a lot better

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Originally posted by ICQ
i'd like to see it cleaned up you have Delete Contact & Block Contact. i'd like those 2 options put into one option. if you choose ( Delete Contact ) you can just tick the Block an Delete contact. IMO both having those 2 options there are confusing the user,

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Originally posted by honey114
1.) Please!!!!!!! Correct the bad voice- and webcamfunction!!!!!

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Originally posted by redgunner
Turn off Mirror Image on Webcam (at least give the god damn option!!)

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Originally posted by redgunner
Webcams can be large no matter what desktop resolution (Where's the sense in this!?!)

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Originally posted by redgunner
Turn off the MSN Space community? I never use it, so why log everything I do?!

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Originally posted by Coolieo
I would like to see the option to Always Appear Offline to specific people.  I do not want to have to block certain people that I don't want to chat to at that time.

I still want to be able to receive messages from those people, so block would not work there.

Appearing offline to all members to avoid needing this feature will not work also as I need to be Online to have certain features like Video Call working.

Also I want people that I would actually want to chat to at that time to know that I am online, while chosen people will see me as being offline but can still have contact with me.

This feature is already implemented in Yahoo Messenger, but I dont like yahoo at all.

Thank you, having this feature will make WLM complete for me.  Apart from the bloated GUI

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
I doubt that much can be done for it as those two options are different things and the user must have a way to choose to block or not to block a contact. Deleting a user doesn't always means blocking the contact too.

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Good to see this thread is still active with suggestions .

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Originally posted by ICQ

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
I doubt that much can be done for it as those two options are different things and the user must have a way to choose to block or not to block a contact. Deleting a user doesn't always means blocking the contact too.

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yeah but IMO its just a waste of space.  all one has to do is Tick either Box Block or Delete depending on what the user wants to do with that contact.

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Originally posted by Nagamasa

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Originally posted by ICQ

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
I doubt that much can be done for it as those two options are different things and the user must have a way to choose to block or not to block a contact. Deleting a user doesn't always means blocking the contact too.

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yeah but IMO its just a waste of space.  all one has to do is Tick either Box Block or Delete depending on what the user wants to do with that contact.

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Instead of adding a name to a block list, perhaps removing the name from either list (and thus becoming a part of the "Others").

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WLM needs AutoAccept, a la Plus!, for a configurable set of request types and/or contact filters.

WLM also needs AutoFullScreen for video calls for a configurable set of contacts filters.

WLM could gain considerable market share if they removed those two barriers to the computer illiterate senior citizens.  With AutoAccept and AutoFullScreen options, someone computer literate could easily set up anothers computer for unassisted video conferencing.

Of course, filtering by contacts is crucial to preventing abuse -- some of it anyway.

The cleanly installed client needs to be much more minimalistic, and provide the basic features in a clean interface, with options to customize/addon extra things.

We shouldn't have to spend time skinning/scripting, installing addons and editing options to get a clean, easy IM client.

I don't mind the integration with social networking instruments (Twitter, Facebook etc), as long as it is done cleanly and is not invasive or dominant in the interface.

Imagine IM with virtual reality.

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Originally posted by AAA123
Imagine IM with virtual reality.

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Originally posted by Chris4

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Originally posted by AAA123
Imagine IM with virtual reality.

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What do you mean by virtual reality?

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Originally posted by AAA123

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Originally posted by Chris4

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Originally posted by AAA123
Imagine IM with virtual reality.

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What do you mean by virtual reality?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality

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Well based on screenshots, LESS ADVERTS!

I'd also like multi web-cam!

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Originally posted by krissy-afc
I'd also like multi web-cam!

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Originally posted by Kezzinator29

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Originally posted by krissy-afc
I'd also like multi web-cam!

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That would be pretty cool. And also multi-voice call, if that already doesn't exist.

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Originally posted by krissy-afc

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Originally posted by Kezzinator29

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Originally posted by krissy-afc
I'd also like multi web-cam!

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That would be pretty cool. And also multi-voice call, if that already doesn't exist.

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Yeah, people have been wanting it since around 7.0

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Originally posted by Chris4

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Originally posted by AAA123

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Originally posted by Chris4

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Originally posted by AAA123
Imagine IM with virtual reality.

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What do you mean by virtual reality?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality

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I know but virtual reality is, I just wanted you to elaborate a bit more as to how it would work with WLM.

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I don't know what I want to see specifically but it needs a major makeover to be appealing again imo. I think people swarm around facebook+chat now and even though it has the bare minimum in features, it does its job and feels more connected (but these things come and go). Maybe one of the main things about facebook is that it has two levels of communication 1. on your homepage where people want to publically (which friends) have a conversation where anyone can reply and 2. the basic instant messaging chat that people which is private like people would've once used msn for instead. WLM needs to work on the profile side of live accounts.

I want a no-strings-attached feel which wlm doesn't have because it's bloated (even if this isn't true, it feels that way). What's this huge, obscure 'Windows Live Contacts' folder for example? And what is happening with the information I put out there? I never visit profile pages and can't tell if other people do (except for 'what's new'). I want an easy way to talk to people (most of the time it's 1v1 but maybe WLM could focus on group chat improvements), I want good, organised logging because I like to be able to quickly search through all my logs, and good file sharing maybe using temporary web storage because it's so clumsy when all I want to do is transfer and view a photo then delete (the photo slideshow thing doesn't work well).

I'd have to agree with the "Selective Appear Offline"

also , Voice and Video Chat able to be used "Appearing Offline"

More importantly ,  remove the Size restriction (file size) on the
display pictures.

Half the good Animated Gif's out there are over 200kb.
Which really limits us.

There's also hardly any good Image Compression Software out there that doesn't just suck or only reduce 2-5% of the File size and NOT sacrifice 60% of the image quality...

Maybe a little more customization options.
Opposed to just the top part being colourized.
The Entire List , Text and all. Change the font and colour.

Like the Old Messenger Plus Allowed us to do without Skins.
Way back yonder.

a few things I would like to see are. a background option. in version 8.5 it enabled you to not just have a background for the conversation window,but the whole thing would be in it.

removal of the photo sharing feature.
it isn't necessary.

regular display pictures and statuses again.

earlier versions had (in a call)
Busy
Away
Avaiable
out to lunch

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Originally posted by Skywolfe
a few things I would like to see are. a background option. in version 8.5 it enabled you to not just have a background for the conversation window,but the whole thing would be in it.

removal of the photo sharing feature.
it isn't necessary.

regular display pictures and statuses again.

earlier versions had (in a call)
Busy
Away
Avaiable
out to lunch

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I'd also like to see Plus! 5

I would like to be able to instal it on a Windows 2008 x64 server running Terminal Services. We have 30 TS accounts on a 64 bit server 2008 and it will not work! It worked fine before the forced upgrade to 14.

If anyone out there did this, I would like to know how. When I installed it, it would work for one - three people randomly, then it would break and lockup all the accounts.

I want to see oversized display pictures thats all

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Originally posted by rlawley
I would like to be able to instal it on a Windows 2008 x64 server running Terminal Services. We have 30 TS accounts on a 64 bit server 2008 and it will not work! It worked fine before the forced upgrade to 14.

If anyone out there did this, I would like to know how. When I installed it, it would work for one - three people randomly, then it would break and lockup all the accounts.

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hmm, I would like to see the display picture more , and make the messenger more secure

that's it =)

How do you mean by more secure?