MSN Messenger vs Windows Messenger

[Dralix]

This is the story ... I used to use Win 98 and had downloaded some instant messanging tool, which I believe was MSN messenger. Then, this past weekend I bought a new PC with Windows XP that came with Windows Messenger installed. It didn't dawn on me until this morning that this was different than what I used on the old machine (I'm actually still not certain )

Yesterday I tried to use XP's "publish this file to the web" feature. It said it would automatically create an MSN account for me. I said "go ahead and try, at the first sign you want me to pay for anything I will cancel." So near as I can figure I now have an account with MSN groups, which is similar to my free Yahoo! account.

This morning I restart the machine (after last night's power outage) and Zone Alarm asks me if I want to allow MSN Messenger to access the internet, for the first time. This was when I realized that I had MSN messenger and Windows messenger - two different programs.

My question (finally) is what is the difference between the two, and also have I somehow signed up for some service from Microsoft that I have to pay for (I think this is doubtful, I gave them no billing information).

Thanks

 

[Sodapop]

Microsoft don't need you to give them billing information... They just... know

Windows Msg and MSN Msg are the same, except a few differences. WM had some funtions to connect to exchange servers (stuff use in big entreprise networks). Beside that, they're almost the same. However, WM doesn't get updated, which means that now that MSN messenger 6 is out, you might one to get the latest release instead of keeping only WM. But that is up to you

 

[Archer 007]

I think that WM doesnt like to your e-mail account. Thats on of MSN's more useful features.

 

[Sodapop]

Yes it does... Not default, but once you click on the inbox link, it will make you download a small add-on that will link to you inbox, just like standard msn msg

 

[Archer 007]

Thanks, i didnt know because i dont have Windows Messenger, I only use it at my friend's house.

 

[GenMarshall]

I usualy use MSN Messanger since I have MSN. But I use Trillian insted since it can intergrate MSN, AOL, ICQ, IRC, and Y!. But I only use Trillian for MSN, AOL, and ICQ.