MSN 8 is the new version of MSN Explorer. This new version can be used with your own ISP for 10 dollars a month or 80 dollars a year ....what! do we have to pay for MSN Explorer now ??? yup but I think it does worth it.
Well MSN mail client has been reworked . It is now based on Outlook Express. You can filters your messages, block senders, turn on/off the Junk Mail filter and chose at which level you want the Junk Mail filter to run. Anoher new option is the search box for emails. The mail client is also an Incredimail-like program. while composing you can select the letter-paper of your choice, add a picture....
MSN 8 is also based on Outlook Calendar. You can edit appointments offline and once online they'll be synchronized with MSN calendar, and will therefore be available at any moment and anywhere.
Another new feature is the Download Manager. As soon as you click on a download link, the manager downloads the program and tells you once it is done. Then by a simple click you may install your new program.
Strangely enough, I find MSN 8 really fast. I was surprised because I remember MSN Explorer could be very slow sometimes. MSN 8 is ''at least'' as fast as Internet Explorer. In my case it is slightly faster.
The sidebar of MSN Explorer has become dashboard than can be standing alone on your desktop, while working with another program. It can be personnalized with MSN Weather, Calendar, Mail, Money, Messenger,Download Manager, stocks, stuff, favorites, a photo of your choice and Windows Media Player. Note that the Media Player, will be able to open your own files (was not the case with MSN Explorer)the radio stations are pre preset but you can choose the one you want by a simple click. Well , the whole player is part of the dashboard The dashboard as well as above navigation bar are resizable from big icons + labels to labels or small icons only.
The inconvenience is that you cant choose your homepage (msn.com or my.msn.com). This problem as been solved in MSN 8.5 which is a beta of the future release that can be downloaded at betaplace.com for those who have a beta access Passport.
MSN 8 subcription gives you an MSN Member account which allows you to edit you picture on your hardrive or online with Picture it, you can access the full MSN Encarta which is always updated. I dunno the price of the Complete Encarta in America but over here in France it's 90 to 100 euros. Beside money.msn.com directs you to MSN Money Plus . You can view your bank accounts online and of course Money features like your portofolios can be accessed, changed etc...
Now tell me...Which other browser gives you all these features ? none. I've tried them all...I tell you none. Mozilla might compete with MSN 8 for it integrates a Download Manager, a Mail client and an Address book...but where is the calendar? .
Mozilla is fast...for text pages but pictures slow down the process. I was on Yahoo! before and I found Yahoo had very complete set of services. Yet it lacks MSN integrity with softwares. MSN 8 rival is SBC Yahoo in the USA (you will need to subcribe to an internet access) or Yahoo Plus in the UK. The navigator is very poor to me...It is slow and sort of ugly (grey tones).Yahoo! lacks knowledge in software development (the icons of the explorer are bmp images !!!). You will have to download by yourself third party-programs that Yahoo had deals with for SBC subcribers like Zone Alarm, or the parental control. Yahoo offers less features than MSN 8. The advantage of yahoo is the storage provided for emails and Briefcase.
I have long been looking for THE navigator. From Netscape to Opera or Neoplanet...Nothing really satisfied me. And quite frankly stop looking any further for you will never find the explorer of your dreams. I was losing my time downloading obscure freeware or new stuff provided by every magazine. This is useless…MSN 8 has the advantage to gather everything your need. It is accessible by beginners as well as by experiences surfers.
All in one is better and quicker. (an equivalent would by to buy Outlook for calendar, email task and address book + a good download manager + Encarta Premium edition + Picture it! + Money + Installing Incredimail + a Parental control application + installing Codename Dashboard or SmartbarXP which are unstable because still in beta version) ….That would cost you a lot!
Besides, if you take the tour of MSN 8 at https://join.msn.com, well MSN is really sleak and feel very good If you often use MSN services then I would higly recommend MSN 8. The subscription gives you two months for free.
Pros : An all-in-one software, very good for everyone
Cons: not free....
For more infos about MSN 8 Software please visit:
https://groups.msn.com/TheMSNCommunity
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