article Related Topics:
MSN_Emoticons :: MSN_Messenger :: MSN_TV :: MSNTV_Only
 

For other meanings of MSN, see MSN (disambiguation).
For the IM service colloquially known as 'MSN', see Windows Live Messenger.

MSN (or the Microsoft Network) is a collection of Internet services provided by Microsoft. Initially released by Microsoft on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of Windows 95, the range of services has since expanded greatly. The Hotmail webmail service was amongst the first, followed by the instant messenger service MSN Messenger, which has recently been completely replaced by Windows Live Messenger. Recently, MSN has relaunched many of its services, to compete with rivals, such as Google; new services include MSN Virtual Earth, Desktop Search, and a customizable search engine.

MSN was largely rebranded to Windows Live which saw the release of Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger in 2006 when Microsoft overhauled its online software and services to attract a broader range of customers, in a climate of increasing competition. The Windows Live brand is currently being rolled out service-by-service, with rebranded services being classed as a BETA test, initially. It is anticipated that the MSN service will aim at the personal and family user, whilst Windows Live will be a dedicated search facility for various media.

In the United States, MSN is not only a content provider and search engine, it is additionally an Internet Service Provider. In other countries, MSN uses underwriters for their services, in the case of the UK, Microsoft use BTInternet. With 9 million subscribers, MSN is the second largest Internet Service Provider in the United States behind America Online service with 26.5 million.

The word "MSN" has come to be synonymous with MSN Messenger in Internet slang. To use MSN Messenger or many MSN services, the users must have a Microsoft Passport Network account, an account system which allows access to all of the Microsoft Network facilities. Personalised features on MSN require the use of a Microsoft Passport. These personalised features include 'My MSN' and Hotmail.

History

MSN was originally conceived as an online service provider in the vein of CompuServe, supplying proprietary content through an interface that matched that of Windows 95's Windows Explorer. The service was then rebranded in a new "MSN 2.0" incarnation, which combined traditional internet services with web delivered proprietary content.

The new content made extensive use of multimedia and interactive features, including VBScript and early implementations of Macromedia Flash for animations. While the approach was quite unique, the content wasn't easily accessible by users with low-end computers and dial-up connections (high bandwidth Internet hadn't yet hit the mainstream). As a result, the service was again rebranded as a more traditional internet service provider, soon adopting its current multi-coloured "butterfly" logo.

Affiliates

Microsoft has collaborated with many other service providers, as well as other Microsoft departments to expand the appeal of the Microsoft Network, examples include:

Microsoft has found increasing competition from other service providers, such as Google and Yahoo! The recent launch of Google Earth was shortly followed by a similar offering from MSN. Suffice it to say, MSN, Yahoo! and Google are rapidly expanding the services they offer, and with little difference between them, except personal preference.

Windows Live

In 2006, the majority of MSN services and MSN branded software will be upgraded and re-branded with the new Windows Live name. This is part of Microsoft’s strategy to improve its online offerings through better services and software using the Windows brand name. MSN will then become just an online content provider through internet portals such as msn.com.

Windows Live will use new web technology to offer software-like features and functionality through your web browser. This is evident with Windows Live Mail where a right-click menu can be used and the interface mimics that of Microsoft Outlook. Windows Live also accompanies Office Live which will offer Microsoft Office programs and service through an internet browser.

Completed and speculated name changes:

Among other name changes, new services will also be offered such as Windows Live Safety Center which features a free anti-virus detection scan as part of Windows Live OneCare (complete anti-virus detection and removal and Microsoft Firewall). And Windows Live Favorites which will allows you to access your internet favourites from anywhere using an internet browser.

All these services, except for Windows Live Messenger, are currently in beta and are expected to be released in 2006.

See also

MSN Links

1995 establishments | Internet service providers of the United States | Microsoft subsidiaries | Web portals

Microsoft Network | MSN (The Microsoft Network) | MSN | MSN | Microsoft Network | MSN | Microsoft Network | MSN | Microsoft Network | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN | MSN

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "MSN".

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