Transcript: MSN Messenger, July 13, 2004
Published: September 12, 2004
Chat Date: July 13, 2004
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Introduction
Moderator: KenM (Microsoft)
Welcome to today's Expert Zone chat. Our topic is MSN Messenger. Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.
Moderator: KenM (Microsoft)
I'll now have the hosts introduce themselves.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Intro: I'm Raja Abburi, General Manager for MSN Communications Client, (includes MSN Messenger client). It is fun working on this product. I'd love to hear your feedback on the current versions and requests for future. Sorry, we can't share specifics of upcoming versions
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Intro: Hi, my name is Nikki and I am the Group Program Manager of MSN Messeger.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
I am joined by several Program Managers, Developers, and Testers who are working on the next version of MSN Messenger.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
We are here today to answer your questions about MSN Messenger and to learn from you.
Host: Len (Microsoft)
My name is Len. I am a program manager lead for the MSN Messenger client and I work for Nikki.
Host: Len (Microsoft)
I've been on the Messenger team for 4 years now and am excited for the opportunity to chat with you today.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
Intro: I'm Doug, Group Program Manager for Operations - my teams partner with Raja's teams to ensure the Messenger service and sites are always up and running.
Moderator: KenM (Microsoft)
And I'm Ken McGrath, TechNet/MSN Web and Communities Producer.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
I am Brian Boston with Microsoft MVP Program. I work with Jonathan Kay and other Microsoft MVPs in the Windows technology area.
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
I'm Roger, a tester on the client team, primarily focused on the user interface, user experience issues and integration with other MSN products
Start of Chat
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: My friend and I both have broadband routers that do not have UPnP. File transfers are insanely slow on MSN Messenger (6.2; they transfer at dial up speeds) while transfering relatively fast on AIM. Will File Transfers be faster in future versions?
A: NATs do cause problems for transferring files directly. We are looking into improvements here.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
Q: what port do file transfers run on?
A: ports 6891 through 6900, inclusive
Host: doug (Microsoft)
A: (the first session is on 6891, a second concurrent session on 6892, etc)
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: Apollo: The latest version of MSN Messenger allows you to create your own emoticons. However, you cannot create animated emoticons in Messenger or add animated emoticons from other programs.
A: This is something we have heard from customers in the past. How important of a feature is this to you?
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: For a very user/community oriented program, msn seems like a very closed and insular group... why is this and is it going to change?
A: Could you describe some ways where we can increase the interaction? We do get customer feedback in other forums, I'd like to find out which ones you'd like to see us do more on. Thx
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: At times, I suddenly find myself dragged into a mutiperson chat which has people who I have specifically blocked. I find this an annoyance and at times worse than Messenger SPAM. Is something going to be done in the future regarding this?
A: Good suggestion. Thx.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: As an owner of a MSN website that provides DP's, emoticons, backgrounds & nicknames I'm also searching for news about MSN Messenger. Is there any possebility to make a kind of 'changelog' after releasing a new version/build of MSN Messenger?
A: Our download website has a "What's New" section. Would you like to see more detail there?
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: roger: why dont you assist the development of plus and other addons by publicizing apis again or publishing debug symbols? or helping/commented at msn developer sites like the aforementioned msnfanatic, or the messenger plus forums
A: We once considered something like this, but found the resources to support so many third party developers was beyond our scope
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: Roger, so you check Messenger Plus when you build a new version of MSN Messenger? Q: Why can't I do x, y, z, feature in multiparty IM sessions?
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
A: No. We're relatively certain it won't work, at least, that's the history :-)
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
A: Although this is currently not possible we do believe that support multiparty scenarios is very important and is something we are committed to delivering at some point.
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: Do you plan to enhance the pocket PC edition of MSN Messenger at all? Perhaps supporting inking from the device would be a good step
A: Actually, PPC Messenger is owned by the MSN Mobile team, and we cannot comment on any possible changes or improvements for that product
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: Are the Messenger icons ever going to be refreshed to look similar to MSN 9 software and the new look of MSN websites??
A: I assume you are saying you like MSN9's look and feel. You'll see more common look and feel in future.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
Q: What is the difference between webcam and video conference?
A: The Audio and Video conferencing features of Messenger rely on underlying Windows functionality that requires a peer-to-peer open connection (no firewalls and few NATs) today.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
A: The Webcam feature relies on technology that can also relay audio through a web-like interface, which means users behind firewalls and most NATs can use Webcam.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
A: (relay VIDEO, not AUDIO, webcam has no AUDIO)
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: I understand that MSN is highly committed to privacy so why can't I see who has blocked me?
A: Because whoever blocked you may not want you to know...so that would be a privacy issue for them
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: When MSN exists 5 years, is there going to be something special, like a new release of MSN Messenger?
A: MSN Messenger's 5 year birthday is coming up on 7/21. We are not planning a release to commemorate this event but are continuing to work on the next release.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: Please could you make clear the difference between Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger, your confusing a lot of users like that.
A: Windows Messenger, as the name implies in Windows XP and connects to the .net service and SIP servers. MSN Messenger only connects to MSN service and has integration into Hotmail and other MSN properties. We are working on decreasing the confusion.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: why is MSN Messenger so awesome??
A: Because we are as passionate about Messenger as you are.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
Q: Why were the bans on certain words in friendly names removed?
A: The solution we had in place was based on parsing every single friendly name - making the service really slow. Besides that, though, it was (1) only done in English, and...
Host: doug (Microsoft)
A: (2) it was based on matching strings: as a result, folks could type other characters (like a zero instead of letter o) to get around the filters.
A: didn't make sense to try to make it more restrictive and cover all languages, so we removed it
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: does msn listen to there users ? or just put in things without thinking
A: We certainly do listen. Some features we've added in previous versions were done primarily because so many people asked for them, and we still consider suggestions today
Host: jeff (Microsoft)
Q: what the people of Latam cant participate of the MSN Messenger beta?
A: Each beta is different and we're always looking for users who are active in Messenger community to help test future releases.
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: Will MSN messenger fully support the use of DV cams via firewire or will we always be forced to use a third-party application for this?
A: This is something we have heard about, and are looking into for possibly fixing in a future version
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: when will msn drop the frames limit for webcams and just have it stream live like?
A: if you can connect peer to peer there is no limit on the frame rate. you need "good" NATs on both sides.
Host: Len (Microsoft)
Q: Why is that most of the stuff from the "games" are only available for the americans only?
A: The applications that appear in the games dropdown come from our development partners. The contents in the list are market specific.
Host: Len (Microsoft)
A: Today our partners have supplied us the most choices for the US market. As we get more partners developing games in other markets the choices in markets outside the US will increase.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: how do I block people and not still see when there online
A: you need to block the person and delete them from your buddy list. if you delete the person you will also be promted to block them. go ahead and do both.
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: I am not able to use my camera on pocket pc in msn ? Why ?
A: The PPC Messenger product is owned by the Mobile team, so we really don't know why it doesn't work
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
Q: What about IPv6 and MSN Messenger?
A: The three degrees (musicmix) capability does use IPv6. We are gaining more experience with IPv6, and there will be more use in line with IPv6 deployment on the Internet.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: Is it possible for a messenger community site to somehow become affliated with MSN ?
A: We would like to increase links to messenger community. What do you have in mind here?
Host: doug (Microsoft)
Q: How come when you update your phone settings, your contacts will still see your old numbers?
A: Older versions of the Messenger service used to push your phone numbers, Mobile, and MSN Direct settings to all your buddies every time they were changed.
Host: doug (Microsoft)
A: The current version of the service sends all that information, and things like if you have a webcam, and sends those when needed (it's how the webcam icon appears in conversation windows).
Host: doug (Microsoft)
A: The only setting that doesn't work that way are the phone numbers. These are only updated to your buddies when both you and they are online simultaneously. This keeps the number of updates to our database of buddy data down.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: When are you going to offer text chat encryption for MSN Messenger?
A: Windows Messenger supports encrypted IM for enterprises that deploy RTC servers. This is not currently a feature in MSN Messenger.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
A: RTC Servers = Live Communications Servers (LCS)
Host: jeff (Microsoft)
Q: When should we expect to see a new version of msn for mac?
A: Version 4.0 for the Mac just shipped. Its got some great features, check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/mac.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: Why isnt the difference between IP restricted NATs, port restricted NATs and other types of NATs explained or described anywhere in the Help
A: Real time answer rom Ali Heron, a program manager in Messenger team : OK, the IETF standard for NATs RFC3489 http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3489.txt?number=3489define NATs as follwos
Host: raja (Microsoft)
IP Restricted Cone NAT Same as a cone NAT, but incoming packets will only be accepted if traffic was previously sent from the inside IP address + UDP port to the ?peer address?, i.e. the source of the incoming packet.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Cone NAT A NAT that maps an internal IP address + UDP port pair to a single external value, irrespective of the destination IP address, and that will accept packets bound to that address independently of the IP source address (as long as mapping does not time out).
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Port Restricted Cone NAT A port restricted cone NAT is like a IP restricted cone NAT, but the restriction includes port numbers. Specifically, an external host can send a packet, with source IP address X and source port P, to the internal host only if the internal host had previously sent a packet to IP address X and port P.
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: Will MSN Messenger allow people to disable its tabs (main window, on the left) in the future?
A: You can remove tabs from the main UI in Tools-Options->Privacy today
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: Roger: how about disabling certain tabs?
A: Sorry, it's all or nothing for now. Perhaps we can rethink that in the future.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: (instead of telling people in this chat what all the different types of NAT devices there are....why dont you put that info in the Help?)
A: Good suggestion, Hofbrau. thx
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
A: we have significant protocol and user experience work to do for this feature. As such, we are not yet at a point where we can project what release will support encryption for all Messenger users.
Host: Len (Microsoft)
Q: why does msn messenger mark me as "busy" when I am installing something?
A: If the program you are installing is "full screen" we automatically set your state to busy. The reason is to prevent toast from popping up when you are playing a game or giving a presentation.
Host: Len (Microsoft)
A: You can disable this functionality if you want in Tools -> Options -> Personal.
Host: Roger (Microsoft)
Q: roger: can we have bigger customised emoticons by removing the size limit or increase the size?
A: Not at this time, sorry, but a cool suggestion
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: Appear offline on sign in mode is in the Mac Version of MSN Messenger, why not Windows?
A: We haven't gotten to this feature yet in the Windows version of MSN Messenger. We are evaluating it for a future release though.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Q: Why don't put in MPG support
A: For emoticons?
Host: doug (Microsoft)
Q: You guys have been making many improvements to MSN Messenger in recent years. When you make a version so superior to AIM and Yahoo that you'd have to be crazy not to use it, will you continue development of MSN Messenger?
A: Microsoft is all about continuing to innovate, even in markets where Microsoft is the clear leader. Competition with other tools just makes it more fun, but it is not the only reason we add features over time.
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
Q: peterf_MS: Does that mean that instant message encryption will be a feature in the future? I'm not asking for a date or timeframe.
A: I can't say we are doing something unless I can promise a date. Since I can't give you a date/release, we are kind of stuck in giving you guys an answer.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: when can we expect "voice-moticons" and personalised status messages?
A: personalization features are key to our users and we are going to aggressivly continue to listen to you guys and add more personalization features in the future
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: nikki: continue to listen? how do you listen to us, whats the best way for us to contact you and discuss this sort of thing?
A: we look at feature requests from newsgroups, pss, and our mvps as proxies of our users. we will post a better way for sending us feature suggestions on our newsgroups
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
Q: I would really like to see the ability to record webcams to disc without third party programs, is this feature a possibility?
A: We have never really considered this. The files will be huge. We need to look at this.
Host: raja (Microsoft)
Request: Of the released versions, what features do you like most and what features do you like the least? And what would you like to see in future version? Thanks in advance for using MSN Messenger, joining in for the chat and sharing your thoughts.
Responses from public
Guest_Zero1 says:
least favorite: auto emoticon completion
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
I like the ability to remove the tradditional window border, context menus, etc from messenger windows.
Guest_Alexander says:
raja_msn: the best new feature is the display pictures since MSN Messenger 6.0. With this you really can start expressing yourself where MSN Messenger is made for! It became a lot more popular thanks to this feature!
Guest_Nimrod says:
The new GUI in MSN6, its bloated. I like a simple messenger, but I like the features it offers. Perhaps the ability to have a tidyer GUI would be nice!
Guest_nw|Csabo2 says:
my fave feature of MSN is the ability to set display names, and how the UI isnt cluttered with mess, like AIM
Guest_NotSoLucky says:
Diffenately try and get the animated icons all my friends want that too..
Guest_Hofbrau says:
response: id like to see data encryption options
Guest_sonnu says:
what about bigger avatars, birthday reminder, a more better integration with MSN 9, when can we see a new version of MSN 9 and 10 or is this not a part of your work-field?
Guest_IESucks says:
yeah, handwriting
Guest_Tux says:
custom animated smilies
Guest_Hofbrau says:
response: with a bunch of option toggles/user defined inputs
Guest_Romeo says:
I'd like to see the tranfer bar somewhere else :) I dont want to type & not keep track or having to scool up
Guest_Romeo says:
I'd like to see the tranfer bar somewhere else :) I dont want to type & not keep track or having to scool up
Guest_Cookie says:
raja_msn: instead of (blocking) when you've blocked someone, the real status of that contact (sorry for the repeat)
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
Q: What kind of games and activities do you want to see in Messenger in the future?
Responses from public
Guest_RogerC says:
Personnally i think msn should be a messaging application, not a gaming program
Guest_wtbw_MSP says:
nikki: the ability to write custom games officially would be cool.
Guest_JulioCampos says:
painting
Guest_Justin_Sane says:
we want chess, the only intelligent game
Guest_nw|Ryan92 says:
I'd hope to see Chess or Dominos included (hopefully 4 people would be able to play somehow)
Guest_duva_ben says:
Game : Connect 4
Guest_Zero1 says:
microsoft seem to be comercialising more of the games. Maybie some more 'classics' that are also free?
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
Could a few of you give us your priority list of features (e.g. 1) animated emoticons, 2) recording in plain text, 3) multipt)???
Responses from public
Guest_nw|creamhackered says:
1. Animated emoticons/buddy pictures
Guest_Justin_Sane says:
1-custom names
Guest_Alexander says:
peterf_MS: no need to think about it, animated emoticons & animated display pictures
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
Turning off the banner at the bottom.
Guest_dannyres says:
The number 1 priority is FIXING the bugs.
Guest_Nimrod says:
1.Animation Buddy Icons, 2. tidyier GUI
Guest_JLX says:
i would really like to see the ability to watch webcams in full-screen, is this feature a possibility?
Guest_Zero1 says:
#1> animated emoticons
Guest_nw|creamhackered says:
2. improved logging be it XML or plain text
Guest_Huuf says:
1) Fixing more bugs 2) API support 3) Animated CE/DP
Guest_dannyres says:
theres about 100 bugs that are outstanding and anoy me constantly
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
2. Faster File Transfers
Guest_Cookie says:
peterf_ms: 1) polygamy, 2) signin offline 3) seeing status of a blocked contact
Guest_nw|Csabo2 says:
2.)Ability to set display names
Guest_nw|creamhackered says:
3. Easier management of multiple chat windows/tabs
Guest_Frostbite says:
please
Guest_Hofbrau says:
Priority: 1) Advanced Configuration Options 2) Data Encryption
Guest_sonnu says:
Q: what about bigger avatars, tge option to save other ppls emoticons,birthday reminder, better integration with MSN 9, when can we see a new version of MSN 9 and 10 or is this not a part of your work-field?
Responses from public
Guest_nw|Csabo2 says:
3.) i can use ANY email i want to login
Guest_wtbw_MSP says:
1) dev/api/community support! 2) chat encryption 3) animated avatars 4) interop with other networks 6) skinning
Guest_dannyres says:
1. Bugs 2. API for devs
Guest_duva_ben says:
1) skinning support/customized UI 2) animated emoticons/dp 3) auto embed font
Guest_Nimrod says:
3. Data Encyption, 4. signing in offline
Guest_RogerC says:
The ability to rename contacts would be really nice
Guest_Huuf says:
yea 4) skinning
Guest_Kryptonate says:
1) better audio while the firewall is on 2)animated dp's and emoticons 3)sign in offline 4) encryption
Guest_nw|Kracal says:
1. Appear offline on sign in. 2. Animated custom emoticons 2. 3. Skin Support
Guest_wtbw_MSP says:
resumable file sends!
Guest_Frostbite says:
the file transfer is as fast as it gets
Guest_JulioCampos says:
auto embed font
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
3. A more restrictive character limit on names.
Guest_Vick says:
1) message history 2) push to talk 3) ability to sign in as Busy/Away
Guest_JulioCampos says:
resumable file sends!
Guest_Tux says:
possible to talk to people when apearing offline
Guest_Trunkster says:
I would really like to see animated display pictures, aren't some of the emoticons already animated?
Guest_Nimrod says:
Stop contacts being able to have such long display names! they put such rubbish in them, and on that note, Renaming!!!!
Guest_sonnu says:
yes!!renaming of contacts!!!!yes!!!+ personalised away messages!
Guest_MadCow says:
1) encrytpion 2) animated emoticions 3) built in calculator
Guest_Huuf says:
1) Clicking on groups when you sort them online/offline 2) Top info bar when some one renames 3) the black corner in the contact list
Guest_pixelmatrix says:
1)skins 2)renaming contacts 3)personalized status
Guest_Zero1 says:
an option to overwrite files in recieved files folder... im tired of application(34).exe
Guest_JulioCampos says:
3) personalized status
Guest_Romeo says:
1) fix the scoll bug 2) faster file tranfer 3) better place to show file tranfer status :D
Guest_wtbw_MSP says:
community community community!
Guest_Xam says:
download manager with resume support
Guest_jnm says:
1.animated emoticons, 2.soud effects
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
Remove the banner
Guest_sonnu says:
1)animated display pics, personalised status, signing in "offline"
Guest_JulioCampos says:
MSN Community!
Guest_nw|creamhackered says:
1. Emoticons whilst typing 2. Scrolling bug fixed 3. logging issues over fileservers - freezing/slow down
Guest_Alexander says:
Again about the new features. I see a lot of people here saying other things then animated DP's/ CE's. I started once a poll on my website about this and 782 users voted for this options out of 1036 votes... Just to give you an idea
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
Hey guys, I recall reading about technology at MSN Research that allows you to remove objects from a picture. In Video conferencing, would it be possible to remove the background from the picture and replace it with a background of the user's choice?
Guest_Cent says:
Feature suggestion: An easy way to delete .NET Passports from the drop-down list of the .NET sign-in dialog on Windows XP. Not for my sake, but to stop people asking how to do it on the newsgroup and the UK official MSN Group.
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
Q: hat are the top 3 bugs you would like to see fixed?
Responses from public
Guest_Hofbrau says:
Bugs: 1) Scroll Bug
Guest_wtbw_MSP says:
scroll bug is important
Guest_dannyres says:
#1 bug to be fixed: scroll bug!!!
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
#1 bug: Slow File Transfers over NAT routers
Guest_Tux says:
scroll bug
Guest_Frostbite says:
scroll bug
Guest_IESucks says:
the scrollbug, and the emoticon bug (where you can't see their emoticons)
Guest_Hofbrau says:
(messenger shouldnt hang when the UPnP NAT has whacky coding)
Guest_Frostbite says:
my top 3: 1) scroll bug 2) scroll bug 3) scroll bug
Guest_Nimrod says:
1. Scroll Bug, 2. The "You sure you want to sign off Message, not appearing in FRONT of other windows..."
Guest_Hofbrau says:
3) Warning window when closed out..ON TOP
Guest_Cookie says:
bug: the phonesettings that aren't updated to your contacts (I just tried it again, after the answer of one of you guys, both contacts are online, phonesettings are NOT updated)
Guest_nw|creamhackered says:
oh and 4. File transferred being in the middle of your convos
Guest_Trunkster says:
hmm I think a file transfer status built into the side of the messaging window instead of with the text would be better.
Guest_Zero1 says:
File transfer progress bars need to be somewhere easier to get to, due to the scroll bug they can be hard to find sometimes
Guest_linuxsucks says:
when will msn messenger allow my to use firefox when I click through to hotmail??
Guest_Tux says:
sometimes after i accept a file transfer, a few minutes later it randomly scrolls up!
Guest_Frostbite says:
there is a way to make it use firefox and other browsers
Guest_Frostbite says:
it is hardcoded in to use IE though
Guest_RogerC says:
It should use the default browser
Guest_Cookie says:
BUG/Feature: ability to open links with the default browser, not with MSIE
Guest_Tux says:
sometimes after i accept a file transfer, a few minutes later it randomly scrolls up!
Guest_sonnu says:
a hyperlink does not work, if you don't add http:// to the beggining....
Guest_Hofbrau says:
(make sure you fix the close-out window warning bug)
Guest_Tux says:
dont close a chat window when pressing esc! ive had accidents doing that
Guest_Trunkster says:
ah that is annoying, also I have had problems where messages aren't sent
Guest_Trunkster says:
is it a common problem for some messages not to be sent to people? usually it happens to the same people more often for me.
Guest_duva_ben says:
ADD THIS : In the Help Menu, add a "Contact Us" or "Send Feedback" option
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
Q: what upnp NATs are giving you issues?
Responses from public
Host: peterf (Microsoft)
upnp (universal plug and play) NATs allow msn messenger audio/video to work well
Guest_Hofbrau says:
UPnP NATs: Linksys 1.45.x and 1.46.x firmware
Guest_ShiningArcanine says:
File Transfers through Non UPnP NAT Routers are one of the biggest issues for me.
Guest_Hofbrau says:
(its a Linksys firmware coding issue)
Guest_Hofbrau says:
(tell Linksys they fixed the SP2 IGD compatibility issue..but whacked their port mapping UPnP code...)
Guest_Nimrod says:
UPnP Nats are not given issues I generally find.
Host: Nikki (Microsoft)
I want to thank you all for your questions and feedback. This was very helpful for us and we hope you enjoy the next version of MSN Messenger.
Moderator: KenM (Microsoft)
Thanks for joining us today and thanks for the questions. It's time for us to go now. Please see the chats schedule for upcoming topics.
For further information on this topic please visit the following:
Newsgroups: Windows XP General Discussion
Transcripts: Read the archive of past Windows XP chats.
