XP Messenger

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With the introduction of Windows XP released in October 2001, Microsoft will integrate its operating system product line eliminating the Windows 9x series (95,98,Me) -- replacing it with Windows XP Home and upgrading Windows 2000 Pro, Server and Advanced server to Windows XP Pro, Server and Advanced server. All operating systems will be supplied from the NT originated base.

This will also begin the phase out of NetMeeting (Msn Messenger will disappear as well) in favor of the new Windows Messenger. XP will still include a version of NetMeeting though at least for the initial release. I have had a chance to use Windows Messenger in its to be released (or very close) format.

In my investigation I have come across a number of Windows Messenger hyperlinks that might be interesting:

Windows XP Ushers In New Era of Communications
Expert Zone Column: Windows Messenger: I'm Retiring My Telephone
Windows Messenger Feature in Windows XP Will Usher In the Age of "Real-Time Communication"
Windows Messenger: New Waves of Innovation
Windows Messenger Communications ( a video presentation)
Windows XP Experience: Real-time Communications
Expert Zone Column: My 2000 Mile Wide Conference Room

My observations:

Windows Messenger incorporates nearly all the major features of Msn Messenger and NetMeeting in a single package.

Positives:

	improvements in audio and video fidelity -codecs are much better and are changed automatically on the fly in response to bandwidth conditions.
	echo cancellation features have been added to allow echo free operation with speakers and open microphones
	call establishment is via SIP protocols - potentially making NAT less of a barrier than it was with NetMeeting (the protocol passes NATs more easily using a technique called NAT transversal -- though not automatic it is apparently easier to implement -- ICS in XP apparently this feature already -- other SOHO router suppliers have promised implementations)
	there is a promise of an extensive SDK (ala NetMeeting or even better hopefully) but no such software has been released yet. Some information out there indicates that there is extensive information in the latest platform SDK but I haven't verified that
	whiteboard, file transfer features of NM have been included
	desktop sharing feature has been expanded to include remote assistance requests as well as standard NetMeeting style desktop sharing
	Version 4.5 has added back ability to call telephones, .Net tabs, ability to export and import contact lists - features that were in Msn Messenger
	Version 4.5 has features to group contacts and cross communicate with Msn Messenger 4.5 for non XP Windows (which has been released at the same time) using voice
	information for developers has been supplied
	indications are that Windows Messenger (4.5.0121) has video support for DV/Firewire cameras

Negatives:

	no method to initiate a call is implemented other than using the Msn Messenger buddy system (no direct calling, no other directories are possible -- not too good when you consider the week long outage Msn Messenger earlier this year and Microsoft/Msn's dismal record of providing services)
	ability to do "invite" to start a NetMeeting call has been removed
	there appears to be no way to have multiparty audio/video calls -- though I haven't explored this extensively (at least with NetMeeting you could use an MCU -- no such beast appears possible here - nor has an discussion or information been forthcoming from Microsoft)
	Video seems to be fixed size (it seems around the "medium" size in NetMeeting) with no options to change

The bottom line:

Though there seem to be improvements in some critical areas (audio/video fidelity, NAT penetration, integrated IM/calling) but many features (that are either included in NetMeeting or Msn Messenger or were strong wish list items for one or both) seem to have been left out or glossed over as potential futures.

My overall verdict so far -- a decent NetMeeting replacement despite the shortcomings.

I will continue to monitor and update this page as situations or my view of them changes

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Changed:Thursday January 12, 2006 11:27 -0500