Shoutbox

As most of us already know, microsoft is going to shut down their msn messenger versions that are lower then msn messenger 5.
But this also affects Trillian, Imici and Odigo (3rd party programs) meaning you propably won't be able to use them anymore. This will take place starting from the 15th of October.

Security update or easy way to get rid of these programs or payment trick?

source : http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/08/19/HNmsnlockdown_1.html

In the terms of agreement of msn messenger is a line added where it says that microsoft has the right to ask money at anytime for new updates or that otherwise the consumer who doesn't pay for it won't be allowed to use the program any longer.

I dont think Microsoft can charge for the service realistically.  But theres a lot of holes in msn protocol that need repairing and older versions of messenger seem to stop this being carried out properly.  Plus can you imagine the extra servers microsoft need to keep this running properly perhaps this could reduce the load on them

My take on the situation is this.......

AOL is starting to offer services for their AIM product at a price.  Rumblings in those communities is that they may start offering a feature-laden version of AIM at a price especially now that it has come to light that they have formed a "partnership" with one of the 3rd Parties that have developed an add-in that does similar things to Messenger Plus!. 

Microsoft may just being getting their legal "ducks in a row" so they can easily roll out a "for cost" business model for MSN and/or Windows Messenger.

I just hope they keep the basic services free and you pay to get other features "unlocked".

But like I said in another forum.  Hasn't MP3's taught big business anything?  Consumers will take free any day over even the smallest of fees (i.e. $0.01)

About the "lockdown", Microsoft just enabled SSL, thats all. The third-party clients will work again soon.

I agree that with the talented developers out there, someone will figure out how to work in harmony with these new "security" features....lol

It actually might be for security, you never know. I know the easiest thing to do is to not update every messenger, but to just lock some down, so they could use the new protocol.

Considering the latest round of worms and viruses we've been subjected to, I do believe that security is a primary reason for all of this.  But it may also be considered by Microsoft as a highly opportune moment to implement some other business strategies.

In other words, "Since we have to force them to upgrade for security  reason, we might as well change the EULA".

Can you tell I tend to be a bit of a consipiracy theoriest.....lol

The latest version of Trillian uses the MSN6 Protocols to connect to the servers in order to work so normally Trillian will not be affected by the shutdown (if you are using the latest version, they are not sure about the older Trillian versions.)

http://www.petitiononline.com/messold/ <- sign this petition to stop microsoft banning 3rd party clients and old clients

To not ban them doesn't make sense.