What happened to the Messenger Plus! forums on msghelp.net?
Shoutbox » MsgHelp Archive » Announcements » Announcements & News » Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest

Pages: (7): « First [ 1 ] 2 3 4 5 » Last »
Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
Author: Message:
Patchou
Messenger Plus! Creator
*****

Avatar

Posts: 8607
Reputation: 201
43 / Male / Flag
Joined: Apr 2002
O.P. Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
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…

[Image: tablets-forum.jpg]

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

This post was edited on 08-10-2008 at 01:48 PM by Patchou.
[Image: signature2.gif]
08-10-2008 04:12 AM
Profile PM Web Find Quote Report
prashker
Veteran Member
*****


Posts: 5109
Reputation: 104
– / Male / –
Joined: Mar 2005
Status: Away
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
Good luck to those unlike me with skinning talent, if any Tablet returns to sender, let me know :)
08-10-2008 04:16 AM
Profile PM Find Quote Report
NanaFreak
Scripting Contest Winner
*****


Posts: 1476
Reputation: 53
32 / Male / Flag
Joined: Jul 2006
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
downloading... will read the post now =p
08-10-2008 04:19 AM
Profile PM Find Quote Report
tony
Senior Member
****

Avatar

Posts: 976
Reputation: 54
36 / Male / Flag
Joined: Jul 2004
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
Excellent news, ill have to start skinning again :p
[Image: beginnerbadgeef2.gif][Image: danceichigoow9.gif]
08-10-2008 04:21 AM
Profile PM Web Find Quote Report
High Speed Chaser
Full Member
***

Avatar
Don't mess with the Wambulance!

Posts: 364
Reputation: 17
– / Male / Flag
Joined: May 2006
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
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 :-).


I hope it's not like last time.

This post was edited on 08-10-2008 at 04:32 AM by High Speed Chaser.
If only I knew what I should put here
08-10-2008 04:23 AM
Profile PM Find Quote Report
Felu
Veteran Member
*****


Posts: 2223
Reputation: 72
30 / Male / Flag
Joined: Apr 2006
Status: Away
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
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.

I guess you missed the third prize for each category?

Anyways looking forward to the entries in the contest. I might perhaps aswell participate :).
08-10-2008 05:35 AM
Profile E-Mail PM Web Find Quote Report
mynetx
Skinning Contest Winner
*****

Avatar
Microsoft insider

Posts: 1175
Reputation: 33
37 / Male / Flag
Joined: Jul 2007
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
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!
mynetx - Microsoft, enhanced.

You have a problem or issue with Windows, Internet
Explorer or Office?
Send a tweet!
08-10-2008 07:26 AM
Profile E-Mail PM Web Find Quote Report
roflmao456
Skinning Contest Winner
****

Avatar

Posts: 955
Reputation: 24
30 / Male / Flag
Joined: Nov 2006
Status: Away
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
i'm gonna try skinning just for this contest ;D
[quote]
Ultimatess6
: What a noob mod
08-10-2008 07:33 AM
Profile PM Web Find Quote Report
Basilis
Veteran Member
*****

Avatar
Olympiacos CFP

Posts: 1366
Reputation: 46
31 / Male / Flag
Joined: Dec 2007
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
Downloading now... The contest ends one day before my birthday! I hope I will get a present from Patchou! :D
[Image: logo1nu1.png]
08-10-2008 07:42 AM
Profile PM Find Quote Report
Willz
Senior Member
****

Avatar

Posts: 953
Reputation: 52
36 / Male / Flag
Joined: Jul 2006
RE: Messenger Plus! Live 4.70 + Contest
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 :P . They are really nice tablets, will come in handy for those who love graphic design. Good luck to everyone entering.

This post was edited on 08-10-2008 at 08:17 AM by Willz.
08-10-2008 07:59 AM
Profile PM Web Find Quote Report
Pages: (7): « First [ 1 ] 2 3 4 5 » Last »
« Next Oldest Return to Top Next Newest »


Threaded Mode | Linear Mode
View a Printable Version
Send this Thread to a Friend
Subscribe | Add to Favorites
Rate This Thread:

Forum Jump:

Forum Rules:
You cannot post new threads
You cannot post replies
You cannot post attachments
You can edit your posts
HTML is Off
myCode is On
Smilies are On
[img] Code is On