December 2004 - Posts
LIVE: The three live streams are as follows,
1) The Show of behind the scenes activity with Romeo from Z100 [some radio personality in NYC]: <http://video.msn.com/asx/msn_stream1.asx> [mms://ms.wm.llnwd.net/ms_msn_nye_stream1]
2) The Scene of the Times Square celebration show: <http://video.msn.com/asx/msn_stream2.asx> [mms://ms.wm.llnwd.net/ms_msn_nye_stream2]
3) The Skybox, bird's-eye coverage of Times Square: <http://video.msn.com/asx/msn_stream3.asx> [mms://ms.wm.llnwd.net/ms_msn_nye_stream3]
Also, if you wish to send out a Happy New Year live across the world, e-mail <timessquare@hotmail.com>, with "NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE" as the subject line <http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_interactive.html>. Your messages may appear on The Show webcast or online at <http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_acrossGlobe.html>.
Hello everyone,
New year's eve is upon us and MSN Video is ready to help you ring in the new year with exclusive three-angle Times Square coverage available for the first time on the Internet! Celebrate like never before on this historic 100 year anniversary of the official Times Square New Year's Eve party. The webcast will begin at 6:00 pm EST and end at 12:15 am EST. Until then, there are a number of videos about the celebration, it's history and a review of 2004 at <http://msnvideo.com/newyears>. Additionally, check out MSNBC's Year in Review at <http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6662484/> and have a Happy New Year!
@Matthew
PS--For those who subscribe to .NET Alerts updates of my blog, there will be an alert sent out shortly before the webcast begins. For more information, read the press release at <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/dec04/12-28NewYearsBallPR.asp>.
Update:
1) That means it starts 5 pm CST, 4 pm MST, 3 pm PST [I know it's easy to forget].
2) I tried doing the .NET Alert but MessageCast didn't want to play along.
Hello everyone,
Wow, I remember waking up and seeing the breaking news text message that there were terrible tsunamis in south-east Asia, thousands feared dead and now the death toll just keeps rising. Then when watching more news this morning, I was taken back when I saw pictures of loved ones posted like that of 9/11/01, family members still hoping their loved ones are alive somewhere. It's just so incredibly sad that so many lives could have been saved with a warning system that could give hours warning time.
For up to date information on the death toll and other news on Asia's deadly tsunami, go to <http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6758619/>.
@Matthew
Update:
1) <http://www.ifrc.org/helpnow/donate/donate_response.asp> [thanks Ben] Server has been quite slow today, maybe Microsoft can air drop some extra servers lol.
2) Interactive map: <http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6763621/>, from NOAA <http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2357.htm>. More information on the disaster: <http://www.reliefweb.int/> <http://www.cidi.org/incident/tsunami/> <http://www.usaid.gov/>. More links to donate: <https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp> <http://www.unicefusa.org/tsunami>.
3) A list of charaties is now available at <http://g.microsoft.com/mh_mshp/720>. Also, if you want to know anything about the tsunami, just visit Ben's blog at <http://spaces.msn.com/members/bbodenmiller/Blog/cns!1pHp6DlZl60Utcbx7Cz492kA!197.entry> [um, wow].
Hello everyone,
In case you haven't heard, Neowin has leaked some concept photos of MSN 11, for which we can expect around the launch of the next version of Windows, codenamed Longhorn due in 2006. The images and video of MSN wave 11, Longhorn Live, and Microsoft Live Services have since been restricted. I think it all looks great, although I will warn you that the final product is usually much different from the original concept. There is no live code, or program behind these images; it's simply a graphics designer working his magic. That said it still shows where the MSN team is heading and that they are absolutely committed to developing better products. Maybe eventually we'll even see some prototypes, which have running code, of MSN 11 and these new Live services.
Feel free to browse around the Concepts image gallery where you'll find not only the above mention concepts, but also the old concepts of MSN Mars [MSN Explorer 6], HailStorm [now defunct .NET My Services/XML Web Services] and Unified Communication Client [still left to be seen].
@Matthew
Update:
When viewing the image gallery, I know that some of the images aren't resized properly for the CSS I'm using and I did change it, but I like this one so much! So remember you may have to scroll all the way down to view the image. I may fool around with it and add some white space just to get it to resize better, but for now I'm being lazy [and have too much stuff to do].
Attention--All images and references to the artist have been removed at the request of the artist.
Hello again,
MSN Hotmail has started to introduce the availability of new country code [top level domains] e-mail addresses: <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2004/nov04/11-18MSNSecurity.asp>, <http://www.msn.co.uk/newhotmail>. This means that now you might be able to get an e-mail address that's already taken on @msn.com or @hotmail.com. However, I do not recommend creating an easy address, as through my experience you will be spammed the easier it is. Spammers will commonly take well-known domains and a dictionary to start creating e-mail addresses to spam, regardless of their actual validity. Anyway, these are the domains [so far]:
France @hotmail.fr <https://registernet.passport.net/reg.srf?id=2&lc=1036>
Germany @hotmail.de <https://registernet.passport.net/reg.srf?id=2&lc=1031>
Italy @hotmail.it <https://registernet.passport.net/reg.srf?id=2&lc=1040>
Japan @hotmail.co.jp <https://registernet.passport.net/reg.srf?id=2&lc=1041>
United Kingdom @hotmail.co.uk <https://registernet.passport.net/reg.srf?id=2&lc=2057>
Important: You cannot change the country or language during registration [as it will change the domain], but you can after the account is registered <https://registernet.passport.net/editprof.srf>. Also, note that new accounts will be given 25MB within the first 30 days and then bumped up to 250MB [applies to new accounts only, existing accounts in 9 markets should have full storage].
You could actually migrate your current account to the new one, although it isn't an easy task as described in <http://www.msn.co.uk/newhotmail/help> [applies to all MSN Hotmail accounts]. They describe a somewhat hard way to move over contacts, because I think it would be easier to subscribe to MSN Hotmail Plus <http://upgrade.msn.com/> and use Windows Address Book. Additionally, when moving over your Calendar, after sharing it's as easy as opening the shared calendar event and clicking 'Add to My Calendar' [which finally works]. There is also a tool from TrueSwitch [new], but I believe it costs.
@Matthew
PS--I’m still trying to find @hotmail.com.ar, @hotmail.co.th and @hotmail.com.tr if anyone wants to assist.
Hello everyone,
I unfortunately neglect this NG way too often. Here is some information on what's new in MSN...
On November 17, MSN Hotmail Web 10 launched. Although initially the update was minor and most things were hidden, the December 2nd MSN Spaces blogging service <http://spaces.msn.com> launch in the US [total of 26 markets, 11 languages] completed it. For more information, read below and the press release at <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/dec04/12-01MSNWave10PR.asp>. Please comment/ask questions about anything!
MSN Hotmail Web
- Full integration with MSN Web Messenger to provide instant Messenger service especially when roaming [note--this may not be available yet].
- MSN Contacts integration in more areas with MSN Messenger to encourage users to communicate via IM even while in their e-mail.
- Contact cards like those in MSN Messenger 7 with the user's display picture, display name, messenger status, blog photos, blog updates, easy access to view space, start messenger conversation, and send e-mail .
- Add a Messenger contact <http://hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/AddressPicker?context=WebIM>.
- Change settings for automatic Messenger sign-in when signing into MSN Hotmail Web <http://hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/domsgroption>.
- Links along with pictures are now disabled in messages in the Junk Mail folder [or unknown senders if the option is enabled]. Also, a warning message can be turned on for links that are not from msn.com/microsoft.com. To change settings for 'Display Internet content' or 'Unknown Link Warning' go to <http://hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/prefs?screen=mail>.
- Virus scanning when forwarding a message.
- Attach photos OCX control that shows thumbnails and then automatically compresses photos for sending via e-mail.
- Find feature searches headers and body [although stated otherwise] <http://hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/HoTMaiL?FindMSG=1>.
- URLs open in a fresh new window using JavaScript instead of the old 'You're viewing a page outside of Hotmail' banner [which just caused so many problems].
MSN Messenger 7
- Public beta available at <http://messenger.msn.com/beta>.
- MSN Spaces showing blog activity in contact card, including new posts and photos.
- 'Gleaming' buddy icon when new space content is added for both online and offline contacts.
- Default 'Click here to customize MSN Messenger' link <http://messenger.msn.com/feature/personalize.aspx> in bottom content bar.
- 'Add to my personal space' access via user's display name at top.
MSN Web Messenger <http://webmessenger.msn.com/>
- Removal of beta status [RTW on November 18].
- Available in 25 markets [as opposed to 8 initially].
- Service looks more like MSN Messenger 7.
- Ability to choose status before signing in.
Left to be seen:
- Sender ID SPAM prevention <http://www.microsoft.com/senderid>.
- Hotmail server level scanning provided by Trend Micro.
- Custom messenger status messages.
- MSN Spaces .NET Tab for seamless access to the user’s space.
Regressions:
- Hotmail 'Apply filter now' removed [which I'm NOT happy about].
MSN.com Home Preview <http://www.msn.com/defaultpf.armx>
To set your browser cookie to the new page, go to: <http://www.msn.com/?opt=out>
To revert back to the old page, go to: <http://www.msn.com/?opt=in>
Fill out the survey at <https://www.msnfeedback.com/surveys/usa/prm_hp9pf_200406.htm>.
Demo of MSN Spaces; video by Robert Scoble [MSFT Evangelist] of Michael Connolly [Group Program Manager] and Jim Horne [Product Unit Manager]:
Video link [00:14:15]: <http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0411/23725/MSN_Spaces_Demo_MBR.asx>
Channel9 post: <http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=30998>
Talking all about MSN Spaces; video by Robert Scoble [MSFT Evangelist] of Michael Connolly [Group Program Manager] and Jim Horne [Product Unit Manager]:
Video link [00:30:55]: <http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0411/23725/MSN_Spaces_MBR.asx>
Channel9 post: <http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=30995>
MSN Spaces team that blog on MSN Spaces [imagine that]:
Scott Isaacs [Web Experience Architect]: <http://spaces.msn.com/members/siteexperts/>
Mike Torres [Program Manager of Web Experience]: <http://spaces.msn.com/members/mike>
Michael Connolly [Group Program Manager of Web Experience]: <http://spaces.msn.com/members/emcee>
Dare Obasanjo [Program Manager of Backend]: <http://spaces.msn.com/members/carnage4life>
Jay Fluegel [Program Manager of Web Experience]: <http://spaces.msn.com/members/jay>
Versions:
MSN Hotmail Web: 10.00.1118.0072
MSN Web Messenger: 10.0.1108.0
MSN Spaces: 10.0.1124.0
MSN Hotmail Web with Web IM and Spaces: 10.00.1121.0073
@Matthew
Update:
1) Changed the wording of the beginning because it was partially incorrect.
2) Added "Note: These features may or may not work on your Passport, there is some confusion as to if these are available everywhere."
3) Added "'Add to my personal space' access via user's display name at top" under MSN Messenger 7 heading.
4) Added easier link to MSN.com Home Preview: <http://www.msn.com/defaultpf.armx>.
5) Added "URLs open in a fresh new window using javascript instead of the old 'You're viewing a page outside of Hotmail' banner [which just caused so many problems]."
6) Added MSN Web Messenger section since it is part of wave 10.