Alternative to MS Messenger?

michaelab

michaelab

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Anyone know of an alternative to MS Messenger that also can do video and voice conferencing like MS Messenger?

I got rid of Messenger a while back and have been using Trillian as my IM client but now a friend of mine has got Messenger and wants to do video chats and I'm really loathe to re-install Messenger again :(

Michael.
 
You could try MSN Messenger instead. It's not as bad as Messenger. Beware if you are using Zone Alarm though. Unless you use the Pro version you won't get Audio to work. I switched to Sygate Personal Firewall to get both Audio and Video working together but it takes a bit of doing. PM me if you decide to go for that option.
 
Originally posted by PBirkett
Techno, I think that was probably what he didnt want to install ;)
Click to expand...
Well MS Messenger and MSN Messenger are not the same :)

It's not particularly straightforward to get Audio and Video both working through a firewall though.

I'll be investigating some of the other suggestions, particularly if they claim to interoperate with others who have Messenger.
 
I've given up and installed MSN Messenger which is, as Chris correctly points out, not the same thing as MS Messenger (allthough it's very similar).

It's not ideal but there really is no other viable IM client that can do video conferencing that's compatible with MS/MSN messenger. It turns out what my mate has is MSN messenger, not MS messenger.

Now to see what Firewall config I'll need to do.....I've got ZoneAlarm Pro so it should be possible. First things first though: I still need a WebCam :D

Michael.
 
What is the difference then? I've always assumed MSN Messenger was MSN messenger and there was no others? :confused:
 
I'm not really sure what the ctual differences are. Both seem very similar but where as MSN is on version 6.1 (maybe newer version still). Windows messanger is on version 4. something.

Not really sure what the actual differences are???
 
Originally posted by MO!
I'm not really sure what the ctual differences are. Both seem very similar but where as MSN is on version 6.1 (maybe newer version still). Windows messanger is on version 4. something.

Not really sure what the actual differences are???
Click to expand...

Windows messenger has less crap that nobody used it bundled with it :D

MSN Messenger has things like avatars, and multiplayer games like drafts and such like, and also I believe it has more advertisting. The user interface seems to be more cluttered, if I remember correctly from the 10 minutes I had MSN Messenger 6.1 installed before I decided windows messenger was better for my needs :)
 
Avatars and such have only been added to MSN in the MOre recent updates. Seems like Windows messanger is just an older out of date (though as you say, less cluttered), version.
 
MSN Messenger is also considered by Windows as a separate application and not "part of Windows". A small but important distinction.

Michael.
 
Just an update - got the audio/video thing working nicely. Didn't really need any configuration in ZoneAlarm Pro other than responding "Yes" to "Do you want to allow MSN Messenger to act as a server?".

I had two-way audio and one way video (I don't have a webcam yet) working. Pretty impressive actually. Quality at least as good as those videophone reports you get from TV news reporters in Iraq etc.

Will be out to get a web-cam this evening :cool:

Michael.
 
Aarrrgh! spoke too soon - I in fact don't have audio working at all :( . I naively assumed that since video was working (albeit one way for the time being) that audio would be easier - I hadn't actually tried it :shame: .

Turns out audio is a complete non-starter. Just read this in the Microsoft docs about MSN Messenger:
To ensure we deliver the best audio technology for computer-to-computer or computer-to-phone communications from MSN Messenger, we have made technical enhancements. This means you will only be able to use Messenger version 4.5 or higher for these features if:
You are not behind a firewall or
You are behind a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) firewall or
You are using a UPnP-enabled Network Address Translation (NAT) device
Click to expand...
So - since my router (NAT device) is not UPnP aware I'm screwed for audio. I'll have to make do with video and typing :(

Michael.
 
Utter bollox. You can configure the firewall to allow Messenger Audio. It's also a very good idea to block the UPnP port to the outside world (5000 I think) as it is a security risk and it's only a matter of time before someone exploits it.

I'll send you more information when I get home.
 
Look forward to getting your PM. In the meantime, I installed the latest firmware upgrade for my router and that has UPnP support which I then enabled. I also enabled UPnP in Windows XP.

Of course my mate will likely have the same issues....

Michael.
 

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