Greetings,
MSN Messenger has support for display pictures, winks, custom emoticons, has a different
interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger supports SIP-based communications services,
Exchange IM Server, etc. Which one you use is up to you if you're simply using the most
basic functionality, connecting to the public .NET Messenger service) and a matter of
personal choice. However one thing to keep in mind, Windows Messenger must still be installed
on Windows XP in order for MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote Assistance,
Whiteboard, and Application Sharing).
MSN Messenger is centered around MSN technologies (Hotmail, MSN Mobile, etc.) whereas Windows
Messenger is centered around Windows technologies (Exchange Server, Office Live
Communications Server, Windows Netmeeting, etc.).
In general, MSN Messenger is centered towards the consumer and Windows Messenger is centered
towards the corporate user.
However, Windows Messenger shouldn't be confused with Windows Live Messenger which is
actually MSN Messenger 8.0, just renamed.
--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources -
http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.