Microsoft Messenger: Mac ~ the basics

Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.1.1 Released: 28 March 2006
file name: Messenger511.dmg
file size: 6.73 MB
Processor: Mac OS X-compatible processor G3 or higher
Operating system: Mac OS X version 10.3 or later
Memory: 128 MB of RAM
Hard disk: 20 MB of hard disk space
Display: 1024 x 768

My first version of Microsoft Messenger for Mac was 4.0.1, I'm now running version 5.1.1 which is not exactly earth shattering really, don't get me wrong though because it is capable, it's just that it's not capable of a great deal ;)

NOTE: This, and other articles in our Microsoft Messenger:mac section, are all based on using the Personal Account option available in Microsoft Messenger:mac not the Corporate Account

As with anything "Microsoft" related you need to have a Microsoft Passport Account, this allows you to login to the Microsoft Network. If you don't have one yet don't worry as they are quickly and easily obtained, just trot along to Microsoft Passport Network and select the sign-up form that best suits, despite some rumours it is possible to use a non @hotmail.com or @msn.com account e.g. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , all you need to do is select the signup form for "Use an e-mail address you already have", once you have your passort and have validated your email account you're all good to go.

If you haven't already got yourself a copy of Microsoft Messenger :mac you can grab the latest version from Mactopia: Microsoft Messenger
Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.1.1 Released: 28 March 2006
file name: Messenger511.dmg
file size: 6.73 MB
Processor: Mac OS X-compatible processor G3 or higher
Operating system: Mac OS X version 10.3 or later
Memory: 128 MB of RAM
Hard disk: 20 MB of hard disk space
Display: 1024 x 768

Installing it was simple, just unpack the .dmg file, double click Microsoft Messenger and drop Microsoft Messenger.app into the directory of your choice, then double click to run. I dropped mine into my Applications directory along with all my other IM's, then created an alias for it in my Quick Launch folder... now it's only ever 2 clicks away :)

Microsoft Messenger :mac version 5.1.1 doesn't have support for audio or video (webcam) yet Windows Live Messenger users currently have access to both along with Winks, Nudges, Voice Clips, Colour Schemes, Backgrounds, MSN Photo Swap, Whiteboard, Remote Assistance, Application Sharing, Games and Custom Smileys... none of which are available or supported via Messenger:Mac

What is supported, and across the platforms (with a Windows Live Messenger user) is basic Instant Messaging, text formatting, Emoticons / Smileys, Display Pictures / Avatars, File Transfer, typing indicators and umm... hmm.. that's about it really.. no wonder the masses are migrating to the likes of Mercury which allows you to use your Microsoft Passport account and get access to some of the missing features... that aside though...

The basics of Microsoft Messenger (Messenger:mac)...
Finding your version number...
from the Messenger menu
click on About Messenger
this brings up version information in a new pop-up window
if you then want to see if there's a new version available then pop along to Mactopia: Microsoft Messenger

Messenger starts everytime with Mac and you don't want it to, or you'd prefer it did?
then...
from the Messenger select Preferences
under the General category look for the Start heading
and uncheck or select the option "Automatically start Messenger when I start my computer"

If you're being signed in automatically and you wish to have more control over when you come online or you're stuck in a continous loop of not being able to cancel out, then sign into Messenger:mac
from the Messenger menu select Network (to the right)
then select Sign Out
Microsoft Messenger will remain open, click on "Sign in with a different account or change your status"
uncheck the box beside Remember my password
in here you can also set your login as "Appear Offline" if you like, which is great as if you need a bit of time to get yourself together when you first come online.
now sign in as you normally would and the next time you sign off it will save your settings and you'll be prompted to enter your password when you next wish to login.

Name Display...
Another cool thing is that you can also change how your name is displayed and there's emoticon support in the Display Name field so go funky if you want to :)
e.g
(*) JimJacknMe (*)
will display as...

to change your display name from the Messenger menu select Preferences, and under the category Appearance look for Display Name, in the field shown, just enter the information you would like to make visible, click OK and you're all set to go

History / Archives...
Messenger history (archiving) is available, which is great as not all Instant Messengers have this, to enable this go to your Messenger menu
select Preferences and click on History
to enable history, select Save Conversations (de-select to disable)
and choose from Ask to save when I close a conversation window
or
Always save conversations without asking
to control when your archives are cleared, from the Delete all conversations menu select from Older than one week, Older than one month, Older than one year, or Never.

If you wish to delete a single conversation yet retain all the others, from the Messenger menu select View then Conversation History
in the left hand side of the window select the ID of the user you had the conversation with, doing so will display a list of conversation dates in the top right of the screen
click through the files checking the conversation history of each (bottom right of the screen) until you locate the one you wish to remove
then hit the Delete icon
you will prompted to confirm your choice
if aok, hit Delete

Your Messenger archives are generally stored in...
Documents > Microsoft User Data > MSN Messenger History > {Your username} > {id of your friend}
you can delete entire folders or individual conversations from there if you wish.

There is the option to Save as Web Page, but do note this doesn't save any of the emoticons used during your conversation

Privacy...
If you're worried about missed or deleted contacts and want to know whose friend list you are on, head to Messenger > Preferences > Privacy and hit View beside "Which users have added me to their contact list?"

Emoticons / Smileys