Count this as the newest entry in the mind-boggling "I have a PC but I want to make it look like a Mac" trend.
Apple Live Messenger is a skin for Windows Live Messenger that will magically transform your Messenger windows into an Apple look-alike. The new Messenger interface comes complete with Apple logo, Aqua Blue background, and much more Apple-y goodness.
Proof that we are all Apple fanboys in our core (pun definitely intended), the Apple Live Messenger skin is currently the third most popular skin on the Messenger Plus! Live website, with over 200,000 downloads.
Installing the skin requires Windows Live Messenger and Messenger Plus! Live, both free downloads. In case you're not familiar, Messenger Plus! Live is a popular add-on for Windows Live Messenger that adds a number of features and extras to the software.
Twittering just got easier yet again. Instead of installing any additional applications, or visiting Twitter.com, users of MSN's Live Messenger can Twitter with ease.
TwitterMSN is a new service brought to you by the creators of TwitterMail. It is just another easier way to post quick updates to contacts via the Twitter API. TwitterMSN works by adding msn@twittermsn.com to your contact list. It's that easy. This service also uses good old ICQ (if you can remember your ID number) to post updates.
For additional Twitter tools DLS has reviewed, take a peek here.
Ed Bott is probably my favorite person to read when it comes to covering Windows and other Microsoft software. Today I noticed a little post he had regarding a way to fix Windows Live Messenger in case you find yourself unable to log in. I didn't think much of it, until my wife asked me why she hadn't been able to log in to her messenger for a few days. I quickly went back and read Ed's tip, then logged in remotely to her machine and deleted the registry key mentioned, and voila - she's back online.
So if you're having problems with your Messenger, the registry key you want to delete is:
Until I read this post on the Unofficial Yahoo Blog, I had totally forgotten about Microsoft's promise way back in October to make Windows Live Messenger (the successor to MSN Messenger, currently in public beta) interoperable with the Yahoo! Messenger network. Somewhat surprisingly, though, they haven't forgotten, and according to Leah (apparently Microsoft developers don't have last names) at the Inside Windows Live Messenger blog, they've got the feature working in test builds and it "can't be much longer" before Windows Live Messenger users will be able to chat with their Y!IM buddies. We're waiting, Leah.
Microsoft is sponsoring a contest that challenges developers to create chatbots for the MSN/Windows Live Messenger network. The contest, called Invasion of the Robots, promises over $40,000 in prizes, including the grand prize, a sweet Alienware system or US$10,000 in cash. The deadline is September 15, and Judging will presumably be done by a Microsoft panel (the contest rules just say "qualified judges supervised by an independent judging organization"), with winners being announced on October 15. There is also a "Users' Choice" category, the winner of which can choose among thre different prizes valued $500, or just the cash. If you want to enter, head over to the Invasion of the Robots site and download the SDK.
At long last Microsoft has opened beta-testing of Windows Live Messenger, formerly known as MSN Messenger 8, to the public. The biggest new features are Sharing Folders, the fruits of Microsoft's acquistion of FolderShare, which aims to simplify sharing photos and files with your contacts, and Windows Live Call, a pre-paid service that lets you call regular phones, a la SkypeOut, via Verizon. Also new is a simplified interface, integrated MSN Video (I'm still not sure who wants this), and a semi-customizable GUI. To get in on the beta you'll have to have a (free) Passport account, natch.
Count this as the newest entry in the mind-boggling "I have a PC but I want to make it look like a Mac" trend. 
