What for?

ICQ 🙂
You can see if someone is using ICQ without having to attempt to add them to your contact list.

Also, this ICQ Xtraz that is being bundled into ICQ Lite allows you to play games with people on your contact list – something DoS failed to mention.

There have been reports that the ICQ EmailExpress function is not working.

(Non ICQ user sending email to ICQ user’s contact list)

Just thought I’d mention this before I get attacked! 🙂

> Well if you don’t want people to talk to you why don’t you just block them? In fact why don’t you want to talk to them if they are on your contact list?

Aw, come on, you make it seem like I don’t want to talk ANYTIME.
I think you’ve gone over the top here.

> But it’s impossible to send a message to someone if you are disconnected from the internet, on any IM, as far as I know anyway, as I don’t actually have ICQ.

You’d better get it, then!
It just stores it until you go online, and sends immediately

> Again just send them an email, it doesn’t take that long, and when the person comes online they will have a message.

Hassle. Compared to when I can just send an instant message.
I generally avoid using email if what I want to say is just a single sentence.

> Actually I was wrong there, didn’t really read the topic properly, but I’m sure that some of these features are implemented in the various mods out there.

Bah! Addons! 🙂

> You can send any saved file using the send file option, as all the things you mention seem to be saved files, or text which you can copy into a message, I dont see why this is a problem.

Nah, contacts and greetings are not files.
Get ICQ and see what I mean.
I can compare because I’ve used both.

> True, but you implied that MSN does not support more than one platform, when it does.

Fair enough comment.

> when you say users do you mean contacts? because yes there is a limit of 150 contacts, but users would refer to the number of people worldwide who can use messenger at the same time, and I don’t think there’s a limit on that, and if there is its a LOT higher than 150 ;).

Ah, ok.

> REALLY?? 🙂

No comment there, then?
(Just checking)

> Just go into the add contacts section, and add their email address to your contact list, and select the option to send an email to them. When they sign up to MSN, you will be aware of it.

Ah, I get you. But that contact still enters your contact list, adding to the 150 limit. I’m not actually aware for sure that it does send an email (even though it says it does), so I’ll take your word for it.

> To chat to someone not on your contact list, click start an IM conversation, and select the option other from the tab bars. Then type in the address of the person you want to speak to and a conversation will be started.

You star.

> to find friends, click on search for a contact and this will allow you to search for a contact through their interests/ names etc

Is this in Windows Messenger? I can’t find it.

> to create a detailed profile go on tools/ options and click edit profile, this will let you create a profile with your interests, favourite quotes etc

It’s not very comprehensive, and it’s (annoyingly) web based.
I don’t think you can add simple details like a town, for example.

> how comprehensive do you need? The logs detail everything that takes place in the conversation.

Dates of being added, dates of adding people, etc..
Keyword search facility for sent and received items.

> Very well….
for a start the games available on MSN, allow you to play your contacts, who doesn’t enjoy a good game of tic tac toe every now and again? 😀

That’s a bonus. Can you actually play against them?
I seem to remember a tacky game called bejewelled where you don’t actually play against each other, but you still need to find an opponent to start what is pretty much a one player game.

> Then theres the multi person convos, display pics, nicks, the ability to start audo convs, video conferencing, MSN also allows you to exchange ip’s quickly and easily in many games for online play (starting the game for you), plus all the extra features now availbale on plus, and the mods online, need I go on

Multi person convos is pretty much a very basic version of ICQ Chat
Mentioned pictures
I’m sure video was available before MSN was even born, but I’m not certain. I don’t use it. Audio is ICQ phone.
Online play you’ve mentioned already
Extra features with mods… ADDONS! 🙂
Yes, you’ll definitely need to go on.