Windows Live Plus Review
Quite a few people use the Windows Live Messenger as their main IM client. Not only does it come with virtually every computer that is sold, it also is interoperable with the Yahoo
messenger. It's still not as popular as AIM, but it's getting closer. While the program itself is decent, it is lacking in a lot of ways when compared to applications like Trillian or MirandaIM.
Windows Live Plus aims to fix some of these holes, and it's free.
It adds a ton of features to MSN, ranging from chat log enhancements to full scripting support. It gives the option of using either HTML or plain text for logs, and it can encrypt them
as well. There are a ton of scripts out there that add various automation features and better contact management. It also adds support for tabbed chats, which can make carrying on
multiple conversations a bit easier.
Installation is pretty pain free, it closes messenger, installs itself, and restarts messenger. At that point, a wizard walks you through setting up some of the more advanced features that
the program offers.
Some of the more fun features, such as sounds, do not work with standard Windows Live Messenger; the other person would have to use Plus to hear them, however, that's not that
big of a deal. The only real downside with this program is that it does give the option to install some spyware. When you go to install it, it will ask if you want to install a sponser
program. Make sure that you select no, otherwise it will mess up your system a bit.
It's a free download, and highly recommended if you use WLM a lot.