In previous MSN Messenger versions, many people used the customizable name feature to provide simple status information. For example, during a recent trip to Ireland, I changed my display name to "Paul [in Ireland March 23-29]" so that my contacts would remember that I was away, and when I would return. You can still do this in Messenger 7.0, if you want, but this version also sports a new customizable personal message field that lets you get creative and communicate messages to all our contacts. In the main Messenger window, you can edit this message simply by clicking on the text box that's right below your display name (Figure).
Or, you can click the down arrow and enable a cool new feature that automatically changes your personal message when you're listening to music. Instead of your personal message, contacts will see the name and artist of the song you're listening to with either Windows Media Player or Apple iTunes (yes, seriously: It integrates with iTunes) (Figure).
And that song name is a link. When you or one of your contacts clicks it, the appropriate page in MSN Music loads (Figure).
Below the personal message field in the main Messenger window is the MSN status notification area, which provides quick links to Hotmail (email), My Space (your blog on MSN Spaces), and MSN Today, a Web-based news and current events synopsis.
Along the left side of the main Messenger window, you'll see a list of tabs that provide access to other MSN services. The first tab, which displays your MSN Messenger contacts list, is of course the default. Other tabs include MSN Alerts, MSN Messenger (with links to Alerts, emoticons, and information about integrating Messenger with Hotmail and mobile phones), CNBC at MSN Money (stocks), MSN Dating & Personals at Match.com, Xbox and Xbox Live (video games), MSN Entertainment (MSN Music, Radio Plus, and other services), MSN Games (online gaming), MSNBC (news), and MSN Autos, respectively.
In the MSN Messenger contacts list, you'll see a list of your contacts, optionally organized by groups you define (some, like Family and Friends are provided to get you started). Each contact includes a gleam (if they've updated their MSN Spaces blog or other personal information), a display picture, a display name, their online status (if not online), and their personal message (assuming they're using MSN Messenger 7.0 and have enabled this option). The personal message is displayed in italics to differentiate it.
The main window also includes a search box for MSN Search and, annoyingly, an advertisement. Since I pay for MSN Premium, I feel that Microsoft should turn off this ad. I don't have a problem with ads in free products, but paying customers shouldn't have to deal with that.