Communicate with MSN Messenger 6
Published: August 11, 2003
By Joli Ballew, Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columnist
Editor's Note: Past articles by members of the online community are archived for your use. The information may become outdated as technology changes. For the most current information, please search the Web site or post a question in the newsgroups.
I write six to eight hours a day, so it seems like I'm always in front of my computer. To stave off writer's block and burnout, I take breaks to check e-mail, play a game of FreeCell, or watch the birds from my office window. However, it's really MSN Messenger that keeps me sane and connected to the outside world. I'm always connected and my MSN Messenger status is "Online" as you are reading this column.
I use MSN Messenger to communicate in real time with coworkers, family, and friends, and you can too. If I need a quick answer to a question about Windows Media Player 9 Series or my Smart Display, I instant message (IM) another Expert Zone columnist. If I need to know if my daughter is coming home for dinner, I send a text message to her cell phone. I also chat with my best friend who now lives in Florida. She's always online, she has Windows XP, and we both have Web cams and microphones. It's like we're sitting in the same room together. In fact, we see more of each other now than we did when she lived in Dallas.
In this column, I'll explain how to download and set up MSN Messenger 6 as your default instant messaging program. Then I'll take you on a tour of some of the fun new features in the MSN Messenger 6.
Differences Between MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger
If you're confused about the differences between the two instant messaging programs, there's no need to be. Windows Messenger is the default messaging program for Windows XP and is a well-rounded and comprehensive application. Using Windows Messenger, you can have voice and video conversations; group your contacts in various ways; use emoticons; send files, photos, and music; send messages to a mobile device; share applications; and communicate in real time with your contacts. Windows Messenger was also created with the corporate user in mind and can be integrated with the Exchange Instant Messaging service.
But because Windows Messenger is a practical business application, it doesn't have all of the fun stuff that MSN Messenger does. MSN Messenger offers many of the features of Windows Messenger and some extra perks. You can play games with a buddy; you can configure Web cam settings; make a phone call using your PC and microphone; create your own emoticons; keep a log of your past IM sessions; access your address book, and much more. MSN Messenger was created with the consumer end-user in mind and offers more consumer-related options. Figure 1 shows the MSN Messenger 6.0 interface.
Figure 1
For more information about the differences between the two messaging programs, see MSN Messenger Most Frequently Asked Questions.
Download and Set Up MSN Messenger 6.0
Do you have MSN Messenger? If you aren't sure, chances are good you don't. MSN Messenger doesn't come with Windows XP. Windows XP ships with Windows Messenger, so if you haven't specifically downloaded MSN Messenger yourself, you won't have it.
To use MSN Messenger, you'll have to download it and install it. The download is 4.66 MB and installs quickly. Figure 2 shows the default MSN Messenger 6 interface, although you can choose from a variety of backgrounds, which are kind of like Windows Media Player 9 Series skins.
Figure 2
It's important to understand that MSN Messenger 6.0 isn't an upgrade to Windows Messenger, so if you download it, you'll have both Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger on your computer. That's OK; you'll just need to choose which one runs as the default program at startup.
Only one Messenger program can start automatically when Windows starts. If you've decided to use MSN Messenger instead of Windows Messenger, you'll need to stop Windows Messenger from starting automatically when Windows starts. To turn off Windows Messenger:
1. | Open Windows Messenger by clicking the icon in the notification area or from the All Programs menu. |
2. | On the Tools menu, click Options. |
3. | On the Preferences tab, clear the Run this program when Windows starts check box, and then click OK. |
4. | In the notification area, right-click the Windows Messenger icon, and then click Exit. |
If you want to use MSN Messenger 6 as your primary instant messaging program, you need to set it up to run automatically at startup:
1. | Open MSN Messenger from by clicking the icon in the notification area or from the All Programs menu. |
2. | On the Tools menu, click Options. |
3. | On the General tab, select the Automatically run Messenger when I log on to Windows check box. Select or clear any additional items as desired, and then click OK. |
New Features in Version 6
Using MSN Messenger 6.0 is just like using any other messaging program. You can perform the following tasks:
| • | Add contacts. Your old ones will appear automatically if you've been using Windows Messenger. |
| • | Double-click a contact to start an IM session. |
| • | Change fonts and use emoticons in the same manner as you've always done. |
Here's some of the new stuff you'll get with the MSN Messenger 6. Each of these features is only available in MSN Messenger 6.0 and not available in Windows Messenger. These alone are worth the download.
| • | Make phone calls directly from your computer and contact people all over the world. Calling from your computer is inexpensive and easy to set up. All you need is a microphone and speakers. |
| • | Change the look of MSN Messenger by using a background image. Figure 3 shows one of the available backgrounds, but you can also create your own and share your creations with other MSN 6.0 users.  Figure 3 |
| • | Express yourself with a display picture that is shown in the MSN Messenger interface. I chose Friendly Dog, as shown in Figure 3. |
| • | Use new, animated emoticons and create your own emoticons using your favorite images, including your own artwork. |
| • | Play interactive games with online contacts, including chess, double solitaire, and tic-tac-toe. Click the Launch Site button to open a list of games and activities that you can play with an online buddy. Figure 4 shows a game of checkers in progress using MSN Messenger 6.0.  Figure 4 |
| • | Share photos, songs, and documents, all from the new Launch Site menu. |
| • | Save your IM sessions automatically with a single click. You no longer have to remember what was said or write down an address or phone number. |
Explore the new icons in the left pane of the MSN Messenger 6 interface. There are icons for getting information related to MSN Messenger, stocks, weather, travel, traffic, shopping, games, and news.
Create Backgrounds and Display Pictures
Most of the things you'll want to do with MSN Messenger can be done while in an IM session or when not in one. Options such as Create Emoticons and Change Display Picture can be accessed from the Tools menu, which is available in either case. I prefer to make changes to the background and display picture while inside an IM session, because there are icons for doing so and I can see the changes immediately.
In this procedure, I'll show you how to make changes while in an IM session, but it's just as easy to use the Tools menu from the MSN Messenger interface. To choose a new background and display picture:
1. | Double-click an online contact. |
2. | To choose a new background, on the Tools menu, click Create Background. |
3. | In the My Backgrounds dialog box, click the background picture you want to use. Or click Download More Pictures or Browse to locate a picture of your own. Click OK to apply the background. |
4. | To choose a new display picture, on the Tools menu, click Change Display Picture. |
5. | In the My Display Picture dialog box, choose a new picture, and then click OK. |
Make a Phone Call from Your PC
With MSN Messenger 6.0, you can place a phone call from your PC to anyone in the world. To make a phone call:
1. | On the Actions menu, click Make a Phone Call. |
2. | If you're not signed up with a voice provider, you'll have to sign up prior to making the call. Click Get Started Here to sign up. |
3. | After you're signed up, click What Number Do You Want to Call? Type the phone number or use the keypad in the Phone dialog box. |
4. | If prompted, configure the microphone and speakers. |
5. | Click Dial. Figure 5 shows a call in progress. When the call is complete, click Hang Up.  Figure 5 |
Play a Game with a Buddy
Playing games with an online buddy is one of the most exciting features in MSN 6.0. It's really easy too. To play an online game:
1. | Connect with an online buddy and start an IM session. |
2. | Click Launch Site and select a game from the list. |
3. | An invitation to play the game will be sent to your contact, and if they agree to play, the game begins. |
The initiator of the game goes first. Figure 6 shows an example.
Figure 6
Create your Own Emoticon
I've always wanted to create my own emoticon, and now it's as easy as browsing to the artwork I've masterfully created! To create your own emoticon:
1. | On the Tools menu, click Create Emoticons, and then click Add. |
2. | Locate an image. |
3. | Create a keystroke shortcut. |
4. | Name the emoticon, which is optional. |
After you're done, the new emoticon will appear with the others in the Emoticon list. You can download additional emoticons, backgrounds, and display pictures by clicking the smiley face in the MSN Messenger interface.
Set Up MSN Alerts
If you plan to sit at your computer all day, IM your friends, play games, and create emoticons, backgrounds, and display pictures, you should probably configure some MSN alerts. After all, you want to keep in touch with the larger world.
You can set alerts to keep you informed of just about anything, including breaking news, local weather problems, traffic jams, upcoming travel plans, and stock prices. Just click the Alerts icon in the MSN Messenger interface. It's underneath the MSN Messenger icon and looks like a bell. There, you can sign up for almost any alert imaginable. You can receive alerts on your mobile device, via e-mail, or through MSN Messenger.
What's the Verdict?
MSN Messenger is a pretty neat application for me. It's really colorful and suitable for playing and goofing around, which is what I want to do when I'm taking a break. MSN Messenger is easy to download, easy to configure, and great fun to use. Although you'll probably continue to use Windows Messenger at work (since it's more suited for that), there's nothing stopping you from having a little fun at home!
Joli Ballew is a technology trainer and writer in the Dallas area. She hold several certifications including MCSE, A+, and MCDST. Joli has almost 20 books available, including Degunking Windows (Paraglyph Press), Hardcore Windows XP (McGraw-Hill), and Windows XP: Do Amazing Things (Microsoft Press). Joli is also a regular Microsoft Expert Zone columnist. Joli can be contacted at Joli_Ballew@hotmail.com.
