MSN Messenger. Microsoft's pre-installed instant messaging client for Windows computers. Arguably the most widely-used instant messaging client, especially by youths and students. In our fast-paced world, sometimes even the rapid response of e-mail is not fast enough. There is no way of knowing if the person you are sending e-mail to is online for contact at that particular moment. Also, if you are sending multiple e-mails back and forth with the same person, you normally have to click through a few steps to read, reply and send the e-mail. This is why instant messaging (IM) has gained popularity. A survey has already proven that 60% of IM users prefer MSN Messenger. With its increasing capabilities and improvements, it is certainly unsurprising and even expected, that the number of users will keep on increasing.

The History
We can all see the many improvements made in the messaging client, from the day it was first released on July 22, 1999. Back then, it only included basic features, such as plain text messaging and a simplistic contact list. Major improvements were evident in MSN Messenger 6 where it has become a whole new system for expressing oneself with friends. This version emphasized the ability to customise the software, with personalised backgrounds, emoticons, transfer files and display pictures and is much like what we see today in current versions. We are also beginning to see the development of Windows Live Messenger 8. It will enable the sharing of folders, PC-to-phone calls and communication while appearing offline. Customization will also be easier with this program.

The Usage
The major use of the software is for instant messaging, although other features which now come as standard include support for voice conversations, webcams, transferring files, and built-in two-player online games. Similar to many of MSN Messenger's competitors, MSN Messenger has included graphical emoticons, or smileys, Flash animations called winks, animated display pictures, styled text, and many more with third-party add-ons. But what do all of these mean to the users?

Voice Conversation/PC-to-phone calls/Webcams
These applications are one of the major improvements made to improve the quality of communication among users. Video Conversations offer face-to-face communication, and a more intimate and healthy relationship. The same can be said for the others. Although this cannot equate to the primitive physical contact, we can see an improvement in the quality of communication as pointed out earlier, from mere text sending to the actually viewing the person. Ordinary overseas phone calls would just be too expensive and too plain; more and more are hooked onto this program as it offers a much greater quality of connectivity.

Smileys, Winks, Display Pictures, Styled Text, Games
These applications help in making the program more user-friendly, for home usage. Smileys, or emoticons, help better express the emotions the user feels. This promotes a better understanding and a much clearer communication. Games are also built-in to add on to the "fun" factor of the program. On top of the mentioned, MSN Messenger allows the maintaining of contacts. Contacts can be classified into 2 groups, the online and the offline. For a more wider classification, sub-groups can be used to enable easier identification and a more organised list of friends.

Technical Applications
These include the Whiteboard, Application Sharing and Remote Assistance. Such programs allow files or documents to be delivered almost instantly, which far outweigh the conventional way of transporting papers. Time, effort and money is saved and can be channelled to other aspects of importance.

The Globalisation Factor
The improvements in MSN Messenger are set to attract more people into becoming users. It is a much faster means of communication as compared to telephones and is enabling a greater transborder data flow. Higher quantity and quality of information can now be sent across borders easily. This rapid connectivity of MSN Messenger is one of the factors that promotes and results in globalisation. Information can now spread much more easier with just clicks.