Getting Started with MSN

This is very small collection of information and files to get you going with Microsoft Messenger and NetMeeting.

What is MSN Messenger?
Good question, I'm glad you asked.
MSN Messenger is Microsoft's instant message service which in summary allows you see if friends are on-line then connect to them and send and receive messages in real-time.
If you have a microphone and speakers then you can have a "CB-radio" type conversation and if you have a camera you can also see your friend in a "fast slide-show" kind of way.
These features are all dependent on bandwidth, ISP inter-connection and various other factors, most beyond your control.
See Microsoft's page explaining all the features

Prerequisites:

Intel Computer running Windows 95/98/NT
Internet connection
Sound card and speakers or headphones preferably
microphone, preferably on the headphones
optional but best to have a USB type camera

Summary:

Download Microsoft Windows Messenger Service v3.0
Download Microsoft Windows Net Meeting v3.01
Get a HotMail account
Optional - download old version of Password Pro 32
Optional - download new version of Password Pro 32
Find and double-click on nm30.exe to install Net Meeting
Find and double-click on mmssetup.exe to install Messenger Service
Enter your friends hotmail email addresses
See you on-line !!!

Here is a copy of the programs you will need (downloaded on Friday 28th July, 2000). If this date is to long ago you may need to get the latest version from microsoft.

Microsoft Windows Messenger Service v3.0
Size: 648k, only a few minutes to download, Windows 95/98/NT Version
This program advertises that you are on-line (other options available), tells you who else is on-line, allows you to sent messages and invitations for chat, voice or video connections.

See Microsoft's Messenger page

Microsoft Windows Net Meeting v3.01
Size: 1.6M, maybe 10 minutes to download, Windows 95/98/NT Version
This program displays the video ("fast slide-show") and provides audio.

See Microsoft's NetMeeting page

While these are downloading you might want to check out the last requirement: You need a Microsoft Passport

A What ?
A Microsoft Passport is username and password plus other details Microsoft use to verify who you are and therefore allow you access to the Messenger service. It can also be you username and password for a hotmail account which you more-or-less need to have to use to Messenger service.
There are several ways to get one but I think this link is the best as it gives you a hotmail account, access to Messenger and seems to ask the least questions
I use another program, Password Pro 32, to save the username's and passwords in case I forget them, but this would never happen to you!
Unfortunately it is a large 5.5M download which may take up to an hour so you may want to do it later, Here is the link anyway
I have a smaller file which is a slightly older version here which is only 2M, about 20 minutes download time.

See Microsoft's page explaining what a Passport is etc

Get a HotMail account
NOTE: I suggest you un-tick the boxes which will otherwise sign you up for inclusion in Microsoft's HotMail Directory Listings and Internet White Pages, but it's up to you.

Now that you have a passport I suggest you find the nm30.exe file you downloaded and double-click on it to install it onto your computer. The default options seem to work fine for me.

Finally it is time to install the mmssetup.exe program you downloaded. find the file and double-click on it and follow the instructions. Again the defaults seemed OK.

You should be on-line now and it is time to enter the hotmail email addresses of your friends with a similar setup so you can talk to them. Mine is: Michael.Young@softhome.net

Happy chatting....

Please submit all questions and comments to Michael.Young@mailandnews.com or Michael.Young@softhome.net