Microsoft is delivering a new project to the largest community of instant messaging worldwide. Windows Live Messenger users have available a new service dubbed "minimise-me" via MSN on Windows Live. The website will effectively permit users of the Redmond company's instant messaging client to build their own characters and even emoticons and then integrate their creations into Windows Live Messenger. Two options are available to start with, either create a character from scratch or make use of content provided via the celebrity gallery.

"Is your rubber duck looking all quacked out? Your football less than kicking? [sic] Then Windows Live is here to help! Sort your profile picture and impress your mates with new mini characters and emotions, available exclusively from Windows Live Messenger. Either create your own character, or turn famous with one of out celebrity lookalikes. The choice is yours!" reads Microsoft's invitation posted on the start page of minimise-me.

Depending on their specific level of talent, Windows Live Messenger could choose to create a mini version of themselves. The actual process has been streamlined to a maximum, with Microsoft offering a very basic architecture which can subsequently be customized in terms of shape, color, positioning of facial features, accessories, and so on and so forth. Users can play around with the characteristics of the head, eyes, eyebrows, mouth, hair, hat, as well as additional features and accessories.

In addition, the software giant has also managed to offer a celebrity gallery. "For a bit of fun, we've created some celebrity characters you may recognize. To download, click on any one of them and then on the 'Preview & download your character' button. If you'd like to customize a celebrity character, click on the Edit button beneath it. You'll be able to tweak it to your heart's content in the next screen," Microsoft added.