Windows Live Messenger

[Steven W]

Anyone on the Beta test?

'The only thing hotter than the Xbox 360 this holiday season may be invites to join the Windows Live Messenger beta test. Thankfully, Microsoft has a recommendation for those who can't wait for access to the latest bits: pay for an invitation on eBay.

Microsoft's new instant messaging client is in private beta, but users are granted a limited number of invitations for friends and family -- similar to the approach Google took with Gmail. In response, eager Messenger fans have begun to leave their e-mail all over the Web hoping someone grants them an invite.

Windows Live Messenger, which replaces MSN Messenger, includes features such as offline messages and PC-to-phone calls. File transfers are beefed up through online drop boxes called "Sharing Folders" that actually store the data on a Microsoft server.

And just as eBay has become a primary marketplace for those looking to pick up scarce Xbox 360 consoles, invitations to Windows Live Messenger are being auctioned as well. Bidding has reached upwards of $40 simply to get a peek at Microsoft's newest IM client.

"If you must get an invite and you don't mind spending some money on it check out the auctions here," says the Live Messenger team. "The Messenger team has a pool going to guess what the highest selling point will be."

Microsoft says it may setup a waiting list for the beta, but has made no official announcement. Not everyone will be able to take advantage of the new offering, however; Windows Live Messenger will only work on Windows XP.'

[5lab]

I'm a special boy

theres a search button up there

[Lee @ SCAN]

Originally Posted by 5lab

I'm a special boy

theres a search button up there

Aww.... he's a n00b staff member - give him the benefit of the doubt before you mock him.....

Now... Wheres my invite Steve for sticking up for you

BETA - looks great, very nice interface and I cannot say how it functions until I get an invite *cough cough*

[Kaine (AoD)]

Originally Posted by Lee @ SCAN

I cannot say how it functions until I get an invite *cough cough*

what lee said *cough cough*

hehe

[shelley bda]

Awful lot of coughing going on in this thread, hope you's lot don't come down with any nasty bugs just before Christmas

[Lee @ SCAN]

Originally Posted by shelley bda

Awful lot of coughing going on in this thread, hope you's lot don't come down with any nasty bugs just before Christmas

Shhhh don't curse me ... I've missed out on nearly 2 weeks of partying now so I'm playing catch up.

Just a quicky thought...

Where do you sign up to be accepted to the beta testing (if applicable?)

[XA04]

I'd give some invites out if I had any.. . May take a week or so for them to kick in.... like you did with Gmail when it was first out.

Btw, I get this message when I try to get them;

Sorry, you don't have any invitations left for Windows Live™ Messenger beta.
We'll let you know when you have more.

[Jonny]

I'm on Live Mail Beta, does that get me an invite for Live Messnger too?

[Spud1]

Originally Posted by Lee @ SCAN

Shhhh don't curse me ... I've missed out on nearly 2 weeks of partying now so I'm playing catch up.

Just a quicky thought...

Where do you sign up to be accepted to the beta testing (if applicable?)

Click the button below to go to http://connect.microsoft.com and sign in with your Passport credentials (your Hotmail or MSN e-mail address and password).
Click on the Invitations link in the left hand navigation.
Enter the following ID xxx-xxxx-xxxx into the box and click Go.
Read the information and any instructions found on the welcome page


but you need to put your ID in the box, not those X's

You don't 'sign up' for this afaik, if you have been a previous tester you might get an invite..

[ajbrun]

Does anyone have any invites to give?

[XA04]

Not yet, keep a look out here: http://www.mess.be/windows-live-messenger-invites.htm