Everything in the screenshots can be changed (except for the conversation window plus icon) by patching MSN Messenger with
A-Patch or
Mess Patch
The sounds and plus icon on the right of the text area in the conversation window can be disabled in the preferences. (Instant Messages > General Options > Enhance the toolbars with Messenger Plus Features)
quote:
Also it'd be awesome to display contacts by online status and by group.
You can do this by sorting by groups, going to Contacts > Sort Contacts by > Group offline contacts together. This sends offline contacts to a different group and then brings them into their assigned group when they come online.