Years after years, Microsoft forced us to upgrade to newer versions of what they think is the ideal Windows Live Messenger, to the point of dropping support to older OS. It is a modern day colonization as we know it and there's no stopping this giant bigots of a corporation.
Version 2009 (Build 14.0.8089.726) is what I'm still running today where I'm perfectly comfortable with. In truth, this was made possible by generous people who developed a patch to bypass the block that forced users to upgrade to Version 2011.
MSN Messenger was the first and longest IM program I've ever used. With Messenger Plus! Live, WLM 2009 became my most ideal IM - and not just some IM, it's a way of life. I'm still in touch with the people I met over the years on the internet today through the same version of WLM. We would build our own library of custom emoticons and emoticon sound packs from the start and even today we'd still use them as part of our regular conversation. Before we know it, we had to battle these waves of new version of WLM released by Microsoft and almost each version loses features that we like. While this generation of people are happy with Skype and the ever-popular IM features such as video chats and audio calls, those features mean nothing to some people out there. Like us.
I have been taking things for granted. I haven't been vocal to the dev team who worked on this fantastic free expansion. Today I decided to take the liberty of writing this to express my gratitude to all of the Messenger Plus! Live team, who made WLM the best IM program out there. Sooner or later we'd all have to come to terms with the parting of our loved features, such as:
- Freely changing display names
- Animated GIF display picture
- Windows Live Groups (automatically add members to a dedicated chat room as they go online, removed in Ver 2011)
- Custom Emoticons
- Emoticon Sounds
We'd love to see those features back in Skype though! Alas we know some of those features are not in Skype's ground features or protocol and virtually impossible to make a return. You guys deserve to develop your own IM software with the same features that WLM 2009 had. Knowing there's nothing to take for granted as far as Microsoft's IM is concerned, I would genuinely donate if this dream ever realize.
So once again, thank you Messenger Plus! Live team. Things will be very different come March 15 but we'll likely continue to support your development in Skype.
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