14 DAY TRIAL // A new variant of Windows Live Messenger, but web-based, is now live and accessible to users. However, the release is not a web-based version of the Windows Live Messenger (9.0 – 2009) release. Fact is that the Internet version of the instant messaging client is a project from MSN Taiwan designed to take advantage of the Windows Live Messenger Library. Essentially, the initiative, tailored to Taiwanese users of the IM client, permits access to an online Beta version of Windows Live Messenger. The graphical users interface will be a major language impediment, but international users can still sign into the web-based Windows Live Messenger from MSN Taiwan in order to get an idea of what the client brings to the table.
“We’re showcasing a new stand-alone web-based IM client that MSN Taiwan has built using the Messenger Library. The client is tailored to Taiwanese users and gives instant access to contacts as well as other parts of Windows Live like Hotmail and Spaces,” revealed Steve Gordon, Lead Software Developer Windows Live Contacts & Messenger Platform. “The client is in Chinese, but if you’d like to check it out, visit here and click the large blue button to launch the Messenger window. From there, click “sign in” via the sign-in control and you’re done. Your contacts will appear in the contact list and you can chat with them inline.”
Developers outside of Microsoft can also take advantage of the Windows Live Messenger Library in order to build and offer to users of non-Microsoft websites similar web-based IM clients. Microsoft doesn't even require developers to register in order for them to access and use the Windows Live Messenger Library.
“The Windows Live Messenger Library is a client-side library for building Web-based applications that integrate with Windows Live Messenger. With the Windows Live Messenger Library, developers can build presence-enabled instant messaging applications that Web site visitors can use to interact with each other and Windows Live Messenger client users. The Windows Live Messenger Library is written in C# and compiled into JavaScript using Script#. Messenger Library applications can be written either in C# (with Script#) or JavaScript,” Microsoft revealed.
Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) RTW Build 14.0.8050.1202 is available for download here.
