Hello everyone,

the update of the summer is here! It’s been a while but Messenger Plus! Live is now reliable enough to be left alone without the need of too many updates, nobody likes bloatware. Scripts and skins are still being added every week so if you like ever-changing things, you know you have the right add-on . Nevertheless, Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 can now be downloaded and features a couple of interesting new things, including one in particular: auto-updates for all your scripts and skins!

Most of us will download a skin or a script once and will never bother to check for updates later-on. For that reason, the many improvements that are then added by the developers are never seen by most the people who use their work. Fortunately, it is now a thing of the past as the new Messenger Plus! searches for updates of all its components in the official database and will notify you when needed. The new auto-update feature is designed to be as non-intrusive as possible so don’t worry, you’ll never be forced to install anything if for some reason you like your Messenger the way it already is . If you’re a script or a skin developer, please review the excellent FAQ made by MenthiX on the forum to make sure your users can benefit completely from this new feature.

Now, let’s talk about skins: some time ago, I talked about a contest… time for less talk and more action! Similar to the scripting contest that happened two years ago, this year’s Skinning Contest is opened to all the skin developers ready to face this challenge: to be the best skinner this world has ever seen!… well, maybe not the "world" but at least the Messenger community. And be sure my friends that the prizes are worth it, but first, here is how it’s going to work: starting today, you have 5 weeks to create the most outstanding skin imaginable. The deadline is September 14th at 23:59:59, Greenwich Mean Time. To participate, all you need to do is submit a skin to the official database (the contest is open worldwide), updates of existing skins are accepted. All the skins will be tested in the current most popular version of Messenger, Windows Live Messenger 8.5 (no need to make them work in the outdated Messenger 9 Beta from last winter).

Creating a skin requires a certain degree of technical skills. You need to be able to create appealing graphics as well as do some basic coding (in XML, a syntax similar to HTML). Fortunately, a lot of help is already available, whether it is on this site, on the forum or on specialized sites such as Design Evolved. Of course, you need to start with the official documentation and once you’ve been through it, take a look at the "Useful Software" part of this site’s skinning section to have the tools of the best skinner in town. The process of creating new skins can be very simple and get very complicated depending on what you want to do and what you want to see. This is a trial and error process but if you persist long enough, your creations will be admired by thousands if not millions of people. And for the next 5 weeks, you have a couple of extra reasons to do it…



Not 1 but 7 Wacom Tablets will be distributed to the winners of this contest. Your skin(s) will be judged and placed into three different categories: originality (something never done before), deformity (shaped windows), and functionality (improved user interface). The first prize for each category is an excellent Cintiq 12WX (check out the video on their site), a 12.1" TFT screen that acts like a second monitor for your computer and lets you draw directly on the pictures you want to edit with incredible precision. The second prize for each category is a very respectable Intuos3 6*8 with 1,024 pressure levels and professional software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements. And finally, the creator of the one best skin, all categories considered, will get rewarded for his efforts with a magnificent Cintiq 20WXS. This dream-come-true for any graphic designer features a 20.1" wide screen with a resolution of 1680*1050, has 14 customizable hard keys, 2 touch strips, a special rotating stand so that you can use the tablet like a big sheet of paper, anti-glare and friction coating to simulate the texture of paper and a wide viewing angle. Nothing can compare to this tablet and it’s the most recent and best model offered by the entire Wacom company. You’ll find all the information you need about those three gems on Wacom’s web site but for the 20WSX, you’ll want to take a look at the video in the 21UX section as none exists for the latest model yet.

I hope these prizes will get you going, we’ll now be waiting for your skins! Remember to try to submit your work early-on to ensure that all the basic requirements are met. Only the final version of your skin will be considered for the contest and thanks to the new auto-update feature, you can freely distribute previews of your work if you want. Note that this will also help guarantee that you’re recognized as being the first one distributing this particular skin with this particular idea to avoid possible rip-offs. If needed, more information will be posted about this contest on the forum so stay alert! And finally, if you’re not a skin developer and you’re wondering "that’s sweet but what about me?", well, you can already be glad to know that your Messenger will truly look like never before once this contest is over. Secondly, I promise to be back with another contest that’s more user-centered with lots of other cool prizes to win, probably by the end of the year .

Take care everyone and enjoy the last bits of summer while it lasts. Good luck for the contest!
Patchou

Good luck to those unlike me with skinning talent, if any Tablet returns to sender, let me know

downloading... will read the post now =p

Excellent news, ill have to start skinning again

Thanks for the update Patchou.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patchou
I promise to be back with another contest that’s more user-centered with lots of other cool prizes to win, probably by the end of the year .

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patchou
Not 1 but 10 Wacom Tablets

---

Thank you very much for this release. You have put much effort into making auto-updates for scripts and skins a seamless and unobtrusive procedure. A thank you also goes to MenthiX for his permanent work on the scripts and skins database. And, looking forward to see amazing skins being created for and during the skin contest!

i'm gonna try skinning just for this contest ;D

Downloading now... The contest ends one day before my birthday! I hope I will get a present from Patchou!

wow awesome prizes. The first prize is really awesome. I have an intuous 3 myself,  but a cintiq is like a graphic designers wet dream . They are really nice tablets, will come in handy for those who love graphic design. Good luck to everyone entering.

Nice update, downloading now gl to all those in the contest, not sure if i want to enter or not though, dont think i have a change.

Will we be able to enter more than one skins?

just amazing!!! thanks patch for all that...

WANT!

* aNILEator sexes up his current skin!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
Will we be able to enter more than one skins?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised

Cintiq 20WXS

---

3 prizes for each category + prize for overall winner.... = 10

----------

Stop worrying about the prizes and start skinning

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willz
.......or they are going by rating/download.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by High Speed Chaser
3 for first prize (1 in each category)
3 for best in each category

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willz

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised

Cintiq 20WXS

---

Heh my thoughts exactly

I envy the person who wins one

Hmm not much info on how the winners will be picked though... like whether it will be voted upon or if there is a panel of judges or they are going by rating/download.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Felu

quote:

---

Originally posted by High Speed Chaser
3 for first prize (1 in each category)
3 for best in each category

---

Contradicting yourself, eh ?

Read the paragraph again, you'll see what's missing .

---

Whoo... now lets hope the server survives 50million+ users auto-updating their skins and scripts.

quote:

---

Originally posted by High Speed Chaser
I hope it's not like last time.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eddie
not sure if i want to enter or not though, dont think i have a change

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
Will we be able to enter more than one skins?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willz
like whether it will be voted upon or if there is a panel of judges or they are going by rating/download

---

Prizes look great, I expect to see some great skins coming up soon .

* Spunky goes back to lab, trying to get his head around skinning...

Do I get a T-shirt after this comp?

quote:

---

Originally posted by SpunkyLoveMuff
Do I get a T-shirt after this comp? (Smilie)

---

Well, i love Plus! 4.70 and the prizes Thank you very much, Patchou

May the best Nile win (at least something)



nah seriously 'tis all good what are the categories and judging criteria's?

because currently there are 7 categories and I dunno about you but...

1 x Grand prize
7 x First prize
7 x Second Prize
_______________
15 tablets.....

15 Does not = 10

PS: Yes I know you mentioned categories but I want more chances
PPS: Patchou sucks at maths

1 x Grand Prize
3 x 1st Prize
3 x 2nd Prize
______________
7 Tablets

7 Does Not = 10

quote:

---

Originally posted by aNILEator

quote:

---

Originally posted by SpunkyLoveMuff
Do I get a T-shirt after this comp? (Smilie)

---

CLAIMAGE!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Felu

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patchou
Not 1 but 10 Wacom Tablets

---

3 Cintiq 12WX for 1st prize
3 Intuos3 6*8 for 2nd prize
1 Cintiq 20WXS for the best in all category.

That makes total 7 and still 3 missing.

Anyways looking forward to the entries in the contest. I might perhaps aswell participate .

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
Will we be able to enter more than one skins?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willz

Hmm not much info on how the winners will be picked though... like whether it will be voted upon or if there is a panel of judges or they are going by rating/download.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SpunkyLoveMuff

Do I get a T-shirt after this comp?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willz

pssh well if you guys get a shirt I should get a special one like says that I was too awesome for the contest

---

noooo less prizes

Have another category and a 2nd grand prize

lol I really don't see how you could have come to 10 as a number Patch I read it a couple times and was like hmm.......?

How about instead of a shirt you just give out a custom forum title everyone loves an ego booster!

quote:

---

Originally posted by aNILEator
noooo less prizes

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by aNILEator
noooo less prizes

---

I am messed up. Will there be 7 or 10 winners?

Bad there is not a Playstation 3 as a prize!

About the functionality category. Does this apply to how easy to use a skin is and how many options it has? Or it means you need to have a clean design?

I know, I ask too many questions!

Could we swap a tablet for a nintendo wii?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
I am messed up. Will there be 7 or 10 winners?

Bad there is not a Playstation 3 as a prize!

About the functionality category. Does this apply to how easy to use a skin is and how many options it has? Or it means you need to have a clean design?

I know, I ask too many questions!

---

Willz: don't tell patchou - but i give you £70, and you make me a awesome skin, everyones happy!

No one will ever know

muahaha

Great prizes, now I have 5 weeks to come up with a good idea and make it

So, erm... I'm guessing skins based of Open Live or eligible?

quote:

---

Originally posted by SpunkyLoveMuff
So, erm... I'm guessing skins based of Open Live or eligible?

---

Thanks!

Can a person win more than one prize? Or just the best prize out of all the prizes they would've won?

Weeee update soon to two of my skins

Probably fair to pick 7 unique winners. Who needs two tablets anyway ?

Pfft one for each hand...

Nice update
I like the auto-update thing for scripts and skins

So from now on, every skin submitted to the database is considered to be competing for the contest? Or we will send an e-mail telling MenthiX this skin goes for the "deformity" category for example?

Another question is, are skins that hide the ads valid for the contest?

Thanks Patchou, as always i've updated my mirror too and wrote a lil article on my site (yesterday).

Basilis, every skin submitted before the deadline and accepted into the database will be in the competition. Accepted means your skin will have to follow the rules on the submit page, so no hiding ads.

Wow, excellent prizes!
Do skin updates for existing skins qualify as entries into the contest (the rules didn't specify)?

Yup updates qualify too

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patchou
To participate, all you need to do is submit a skin to the official database (the contest is open worldwide), updates of existing skins are accepted.

---

I'll enter for sure, now that willz is out of the picture ... just have to wait till exams end.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
So from now on, every skin submitted to the database is considered to be competing for the contest?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
Or we will send an e-mail telling MenthiX this skin goes for the "deformity" category for example?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Basilis
are skins that hide the ads valid for the contest?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sunshine
Yup updates qualify too

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patchou
To participate, all you need to do is submit a skin to the official database (the contest is open worldwide), updates of existing skins are accepted.

---

---

@Volv, your skin is really awesome (I saw a screenshot of it). Good idea and implementation .

As far as this contest goes, hopefully a lot of people enter it and hopefully it's with good quality skins... That is after all the point of this contest.

Patchou, what is the rule with regards to getting help from people? (Actually, historically, I'd draw out or do a rough sketch of something and willz would make it look awesome for me, is that allowed?)

so willz's open thing counts as a skin for those that base their skins on it?

Yep

sure? it was never confirmed by mr. patchou or mr. menthixxx

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nathan
Yep

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Voldemort
so willz's open thing counts as a skin for those that base their skins on it?

---

asked him a few days ago

12:28 AM) SonicSam: is OpenLive allowed?
(12:28 AM) SonicSam: as a basis
(12:28 AM) SonicSam: you should probably put that in big text weither it's allowed or not
(12:28 AM) SonicSam: 
(12:29 AM) Patchou: yup it is
(12:29 AM) Patchou: now, to the bath I go

quote:

---

Originally posted by John Anderton
PS: Volv, make sure you add an update to your skin Deep Blue so that it has a shot too I love that skin

---

how do you apply to be a judge? the reason i ask is because its unlikely that ill be entering 365 into the contest, the reason why it probably wont be entered is because i need to receive some graphics from freak544 before i can do anymore work to it and even with 5 weeks left to go its unlikely he will get back to me in time, besides which 365 incorporates willz emoticons (with his permission of course) but because it has a willz feature in it and willz isnt allowed to enter its unclear if itll be permited anyways, besides i also had some features developed for me by blessedguy (again ive credited him and have his permission) but rules are unclear about the help factor.

so if i can't enter rather than let this whole contest pass me by id like to be a judge.

quote:

---

Originally posted by stuartbennett
how do you apply to be a judge?

---

if i use graphics or an entire feature from another skin i will of course credit the original creator, i wouldnt want people stealing my ideas so i treat other skin developers with the respect i expect to get myself, well then assuming in its present form its within the rules my only issue preventing me from competing will be that i need help with graphics to do anymore with 365.

while i am good at the coding half of skinning im not so good wuth graphical design which is why i enlisted freak544 as a skinning partner in the first place not just that but we both had similar ideas in that we both developed event orientated skins so joining forces made sense.

Why Doesn't it work on the new windows live beta messenger?messenger is rubbish without it. Are you updating the software soon?

quote:

---

Originally posted by AbiieeeX
Why Doesn't it work on the new windows live beta messenger?messenger is rubbish without it. Are you updating the software soon?

---