Windows Live Messenger

Microsoft’s decision to replace MSN Messenger initially seemed unnecessary, considering the program’s popularity and quality but, as they say, you can’t stand in the way of progress. Fortunately, the progression signified by Windows Live Messenger is a welcome one, with several excellent new tools, not to mention long-awaited interoperability with Yahoo. This means you can now enjoy text (but not voice or video) conversations with friends on Yahoo Messenger, a major step forward for these two big guns, which will hopefully extend to include other services in the near future.

Among the fresh features on offer is the Skype-rivalling ability to call mobile and landline phones within the UK or internationally, as well as making free PC-to-PC calls. Sending and receiving multiple photos and other files has been made simpler and safer through Sharing Folders, which involve dragging and dropping items into a window, and scanning them for viruses at either end. Another function addresses a frequent complaint about MSN Messenger by letting you leave messages for contacts when they’re offline.

Windows Live Messenger’s interface is just as well-integrated and intuitive as that of its predecessor, with one-click buttons down one side for accessing popular sites like the National Lottery and eBay. The name may have changed, but this is still the software to beat for easy but powerful onlinecommunication.

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