I just updated to the Windows Live Messenger version 2008 (Build 8.5.1302.1018) and found it.... disturbing.

Anyone of you updated to this new version, and have you got any comments on it?

(I regret updating.)

It's been out since November and it's just a facelift to fit with all the other Live applications (http://get.live.com).

What's wrong with it? I've been using it a while, and I like it..
However, I did slap it with apatch (http://apatch.org/).

yea, its pretty good once you get rid of the advertising with apatch... msndiscovery has some good features too but the program is spyware >.>

Windows Live Messenger is Windows Live Messenger anyway you put it. I don't care for fancy, useless details.

You can get rid of the adverts by adding:

127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com

to the hosts file in WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

I don't really trust any of the msn-addon type stuff :P

You can get rid of the adverts by adding:
127.0.0.1 rad.msn.comHey man, thanks for the tip :)

I looked at the list of "what's new" and didn't find anything worth updating, so I'm still at 8.1
Works fine enough for me...

Hey man, thanks for the tip :)

I looked at the list of "what's new" and didn't find anything worth updating, so I'm still at 8.1
Works fine enough for me... I couldn't care less for these fairly needless new features that Microsoft keep adding. I don't use the winks and never really that strange drawing tool. But I update anyway because I am a sucker for new technology.

Plus, I thoroughly dislike the name "Windows Live Messenger". There is nothing more live about it now than there was before... 0_o

Adium (http://www.adiumx.com) beats WLM hands down :p

You say that with a massive bias in the form of you having a mac and most people who have live messenger having windows.

Well the version of Live Messenger for Mac is atrocious.

Thus your bias...ness. If I had a mac, I would probably find an alternative to live messenger, like Adium. In fact, I think might link my macaholic friend to it right now.

With all the available alternatives, anyone using MSN/WLM ought to hang their head in shame as they read this and reevaluate their position on the matter.

me and kinda like it :-/

You can get rid of the adverts by adding:

127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com

to the hosts file in WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

I don't really trust any of the msn-addon type stuff :P

How do I do it?

Also, is it the hosts file or the hosts.msn file?

I'm lost.

Adium (http://www.adiumx.com) beats WLM hands down :p
damn is for MAC os X, i might buy a mac laptop soon

With all the available alternatives, anyone using MSN/WLM ought to hang their head in shame as they read this and reevaluate their position on the matter.
/me lazy :p

How do I do it?

Also, is it the hosts file or the hosts.msn file?

I'm lost.The file simply called 'hosts'. It's just a text file, so you can open it with something like notepad.

As long as it lets me talk with people, I'm happy.

With all the available alternatives, anyone using MSN/WLM ought to hang their head in shame as they read this and reevaluate their position on the matter.

I am happy for you that you have found a client that you prefer. But I like WLM and it's features, so you should be happy for me too. :)

I am happy for you that you have found a client that you prefer. But I like WLM and it's features, so you should be happy for me too. :)

Yes, of course. Not (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miranda_IM) my (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trillian_%28instant_messaging_client%29) fight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pidgin_%28software%29) anyway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMSN), to (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Messenger) be (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meetro) honest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naim).

My "messenger" of choice is mIRC. It makes people who want to contact me go through all sorts of trouble, ensuring that those who get through in the end really have something valuable to say. :p

Yes, of course. Not (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miranda_IM) my (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trillian_%28instant_messaging_client%29) fight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pidgin_%28software%29) anyway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMSN), to (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Messenger) be (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meetro) honest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naim).

My "messenger" of choice is mIRC. It makes people who want to contact me go through all sorts of trouble, ensuring that those who get through in the end really have something valuable to say. :pAnyone that recommends Trillian ought to hang their head in shame. :p

Can we give the messenger elitism a rest for a bit?

The file simply called 'hosts'. It's just a text file, so you can open it with something like notepad.

It is? No it isn't.

It's a... File.

I'm lazy to screenshot so here's the properties:

Hosts

Type of file: File
Description: hosts
Location: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
Size: 734 bytes (734 bytes)
Size on disk: 4.00 KB (4,096 bytes)

File is not a type, it is what it is... a file. this file can be edited with notepad tho.

It is? No it isn't.

It's a... File.

I'm lazy to screenshot so here's the properties:

Hosts

Type of file: File
Description: hosts
Location: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
Size: 734 bytes (734 bytes)
Size on disk: 4.00 KB (4,096 bytes)Just ruddy open it with notepad. It contains text.

Oh ok.

*tries*

No, there's still adverts!

Tried restarting msn or the computer?

i can't get any host file tricks working either >.> it probably is my virus scanner stopping changes to the file but meh... my only gripe is i cant access http://nsrt.edgeemu.com when others can. i added the right stuff to my host file but it is ****ed.

You really shouldn't have to be adding stuff manually to your hosts file to access websites, that's what the whole DNS system is for.

exactly, however in this case the DNS system fails =P becaue the NSRT domain is no longer registered. you have to add a entry to your hosts file so that it acts as a direct link to the site.

#1 hosts file on the internet (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)
it blocks all advertisements, everywhere
note: vista users may have to overcome some hurdles described at the bottom
:p

thats the best thing ever.

#1 hosts file on the internet (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)
it blocks all advertisements, everywhere
note: vista users may have to overcome some hurdles described at the bottom
:p Although the same effect can be achieved by the adblock plus plugin (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865) for firefox

Or opera's factory block content feature

...
still, hosts blocks ads in all programs, not just web browsers, and is supposed to prevent viruses from "calling home."
not to mention it's only a few kilobytes in size and it doesn't add to any program
:p

edited in response to muzer :p

Opera's block content feature doesn't add to any program.

[/subliminal opera advertising]

Big hosts files can slow down the computer/browser though.

Plus this (http://pgl.yoyo.org/adservers/) is the best hosts file. (works on any system/browser) :p

http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/XPMyths.html

proof of SupSuper's claims about the host file.