# Plane Jane Windows Messenger?

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 23-Sep-2009 12:08:15

Does anyone continue to use the old fashion windows messenger?
I'm currently using it and considering sticking with it.
Surprising though, window eyes doesn't automaticly read the messages. Not when I'm sitting in the window nor when I'm inside another window. It does read automaticly when someone signs in.
Sheesh, I need to find one of those window eyes script writers.
I think this part is just a jaws thing, but I like the typing sound. Maybe a techy script person could include that as well.
I figure why not stick to this built-in windows messenger? I don't use the majority of the features in the fancy windows live msg.
The custom sounds were fun though. *smile*

## Post 2 by sjtaylor (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Wednesday, 23-Sep-2009 16:27:36

Hear hear. Still on the messenger provided with XP. Probably as insecure as ever though, though extremely convenient and time-effective.

## Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 23-Sep-2009 17:26:23

It works fine, but I am in love with the new one even though I was sad that some will not be able to upgrade to it, and I also was not sure, because I was busy that the email stating that we all had to upgrade wasn't scam. The regular one is mostly for business use, and so is plain. It will also be handy for these of use that can not upgrade.

## Post 4 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 23-Sep-2009 18:50:44

Lol, I had no idea that windows messenger had an upgrade. The last update to it was in 2008, version 5 or something like that. I'm not seeing a change though.

## Post 5 by icequeen (move over school!) on Wednesday, 23-Sep-2009 23:28:20

i just got a new laptop with vista which of course does not come with the old plain windows messenger. Too bad as I found it a lot more jaws friendly and simple to use as a blindy that does not use all the extrafeatures that seem to get more and more complex and unnecessary with each new update.

## Post 6 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 1:40:39

Does vista support windows messenger?
Below is the link where I downloaded the latest version, and I could not find vista listed. Curious.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a8d9eb73-5f8c-4b9a-940f-9157a3b3d774&displaylang=en

## Post 7 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 6:21:46

If Vista isn't listed, it probably isn't supported.
Jen.

## Post 8 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 11:08:39

though you could probably try running it in compatibility mode in vist or windows 7.

## Post 9 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 12:36:14

I'm one of those people who says if it ain't broke don't fix it. I still have the original everything I got on my laptop a few years ago. I haven't updated JAWS, IE, messenger, or anything else. LOL

## Post 10 by icequeen (move over school!) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 13:39:11

yeah i am totally with you there on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it theory" lol. Like I am really upset that Outlook Express is no more. Although windows mail is similar it is not the same. Ugh. :)

## Post 11 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 13:44:01

Hee-Hee, that is why I'm still an xp gal!
It looks like I'll skip right over vista onto windows7. If we get a new machine within the next year.

## Post 12 by battle star queen (I just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 14:09:20

Does windows messenger works with windows-eyes 7.1?

## Post 13 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 16:54:10

I'm with you all on this one. The modern ones suck. When I use Windows, I use Windows Messenger 4.7. I didn't know there was a 5 out so might get that. The only thing I don't like is that I can't do file transfers with it. Most of the time, it says my version is too old or it claims that a fire wall is blocking it, which I know it's not cause I don't use one. Other than that, it gets the job done. Also doesn't do video or voice but I solve that by using Skype.

## Post 14 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 24-Sep-2009 17:17:54

battle star queen, yes it works, but not as smoothely as one may be use to.
I'm surprised at a few issues. Say you have the focus on the message window, win-eyes doesn't alert you to message recieved. You need to check the window periodicly. If you are away from the window, you are alerted via a sound, but again, the message isn't automaticly read out. You need to navigate back to the windows and read it.
Something I like about windows messenger, is it is tied with your outlook express. That is the email client I mostly use so works well for me.

## Post 15 by SFAIdol (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Friday, 25-Sep-2009 0:21:36

I totally agree with Libra Lady. I still have versions of everything installed on my computer I got a few years ago. They work, and I know how to use them.

## Post 16 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 25-Sep-2009 1:57:00

Sorry people I'm a gadget freak, so I have latest versions for anything I can get. Some older versions are nice however, but I find the latest works in conjunction with other latest, and some things go piff after a while, like outlook express, but all is good. You'll find the windows messenger will be great if you not in to *stuff*. Enjoy.

## Post 17 by drummer86 (The master of I.T.) on Friday, 25-Sep-2009 9:45:18

I am still using Windows Messenger as well. I much prefer the very simple, clean usable interface that gets the job done, instant messaging.
Question: Is MS chopping off Windows Messenger's head when they finalize this manditory upgrade to the latest Windows Live Messenger?
Drummer86

## Post 18 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 28-Sep-2009 0:55:59

My personal opinion after using it is no. I'll explain. From the sited worlds prospective it is really feature packed, allowing you to connect with most all social networks, change the way it looks, languages, and lots of things that also work nicely for the blind user. Now from the blind users prospective it is completely accessible, both for users of Jaws, and Window Eyes current versions. Now we all can not, and do not wish to keep up with the current screen reader software, so this is a hardship the sighted world doesn't face. The version before this was difficult to use, but we were not forced to upgrade then, and on another post there is a fix that may work past the deadline, so read this posting here. However technology marches on, and this is and will always be an issue for us that can not see in many computer based upgrades, and changes. So no MS is spot on, leading the industry, for a second. Smile. This new WLM is more secure, better all around, and lots of fun. My hat stays off to Microsoft for their continued work keeping things accessible for us.

## Post 19 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Tuesday, 29-Sep-2009 20:31:41

why is it, when i try to upgrade to the latest wlm it says that configuration is incorrect?

## Post 20 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 29-Sep-2009 22:56:06

Un install the messenger completely, then download it again and see how that does.

## Post 21 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Wednesday, 30-Sep-2009 17:02:36

thanks

## Post 22 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Wednesday, 30-Sep-2009 20:05:10

this is just my personal appinion, so don't all jump up and down. i think that most blind people just prefer to take the easy way out, and just stay with the simple vershons of programs like windows messenger, cause, "it works", and cause they're afraid. i think that we should at least try an updated vershon of any program before saying no to it. the new windows live, is no different to windows messenger, and you don't have to have all the fancy add ons running if you don't want them. i understand that some people cant, for reasons, update or use the newer vershons, so i'm not trying to argue the point with them. just that i've had people who have computers that can run these things, and who haven't even bothered to try and experience new things, tell me that they've "herd that it's not accessable so i'm not even gonna bother with it", wich, half the time isn't the case. for example, that happened with someone with vista, and the person tryed it, and now likes it.

## Post 23 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Wednesday, 30-Sep-2009 20:15:02

i'm not all that computer savie my selfe, but i'm at least willing to have a go at something before saying no. i don't like the windows messenger, but not cause of jaws and what it can or can't do, but because it doesn't do what i want or need it to do. granted, my windows live on my xp won't let me send files, but the one on my vista laptop will, but that has nothing to do with jaws, or any other screen reader for that matter.

## Post 24 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 2:06:44

The reason your XP Machine won't let you send files is probably 2 reasons. 1. You have a virus, so check that it's clean. 2 in the main window go to tools alt T arrow once up to options hit inter. Next shift tab up so that you are on the list of options. NowTabg to file transfer and see how you have it setup. Smile.

## Post 25 by cumbiambera2005 (i just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 6:29:48

I personally don't mind trying new things, but after my lasst experience with the new Windows Live messenger I was not happy. It's very complex, and I couldn't even type in the message window without the stupid cursor moving on me. That really gets annoying when I'm trying to have an important conversation with my sighted friends who can actually see what I'm typing, or when someone who is using jaws is having the message read to them and has no idea what I'm talking about because of the way it ends up coming out, even though I didn't even move it. So I would really prefer to stick to the current version I have instead of having to upgrade to all these fancy shmancy stuff I can't even use that would just take up extra space in my memmory. So this windows messenger doesn't sound like a bad idea, only thing is, I'd still like to be able to use the same contacts I have now in windows live. My opinion is that microsoft is just making things too complicated, when they could just keep things that work and fix little bugs. Because while I can see the point for sighted people, it doesn't help us blind people much, we just have to learn new things, and half the time, those things we're learning are inaccessible anyway. And, we're not all rich people who can just be upgrading screen readers all the time. Sorry to have to say it that way, but it's how I feel, and this whole manditory upgrade, if it can't be sorted out through some kind of trick, is going to cause a great disadvantage for me.

## Post 26 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 12:32:26

cumbiambera2005, your windows live contacts should automaticly show up when you run windows messenger.
Maroon Five, how do I work it to only run windows live messenger and not all that other crap? There is like half dozen programs tied to it now.

## Post 27 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 15:53:20

Can't you select those when you run the installer? When I installed it I just told it I wanted Windows Live Messenger and it worked just fine. And I set it not to load when I start my computer (I found that out the hard way), so it's not in my way when I'm not using it.

## Post 28 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 16:36:16

when i try to run the installer, Isn't messenger already going to install anyway? If so, how do i uncheck all the other crap

## Post 29 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 18:35:20

when you install it, you need to tab through your options before you click on next. if you do this, and check or uncheck the boxes jaws should read to you, you should only get windows live messenger, and nothing else. you don't need the extra tool bar, for example. listen carefully to what your screen reader is telling you. i've had to go through sighted people's installations because they just keep clicking on next, and end up with things that not even they need. you don't have to have it start when your computer starts, and it doesn't actually get in the way. it just runs in the background, and only pops up when you get a message, or when it's telling you someone is signing in.

## Post 30 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 18:52:35

also, in answer to forreel, it's not a virus, it's something to do with hotmail. to whoever said it, i'm not rich by any means, but i'm at least willing to take the time to try and learn something knew before i say i can't use it, or it's not accessable. yes, microsoft are making it harder for us blind people to use the new windows live, but i've found, that if i'm careful in what i'm doing, and i try not to make mistakes, the messages usually come out understandable. jaws does get cut off on some lines, but that's just windows live, not my screen reader. unfortunetly, microsoft are only out to make money, not cater to us blind people.

## Post 31 by icequeen (move over school!) on Thursday, 01-Oct-2009 22:41:05

anyone else noticed, on the latest WLM, the jaws clicking feature going, when you are in one window and it is a second conversation window where someone is actually typing? I find it very annoying to try to be replying to one person and hearing the clicking of the second person going as they reply in another window. I like the clicking when it is working for only the conversation window that one is in - the way older versions have worked.

## Post 32 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Sunday, 04-Oct-2009 20:01:50

well, maroon five, I tried to uninstall messenger and then reinstall it, and still have the same error!Has anyone else had trouble?

## Post 33 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 05-Oct-2009 3:57:46

cumbiambera2005 Try the latest version it is not like the first 2009 that was released in about June.
Now about the install issue. You must cleanly uninstall messenger, and that means more the just your add and remove programs feature. I seem to be one of the few people that has no issues at all with it. It types my messages where they should go. I can use either Jaws 10 or the beta 11 and the 11 works perfectly. I also incurrage anyone that is having issues with it to seek help directly from Microsoft. They will help you. Now last messenger in not a money making feature, is not set up for the sighted in mind, it works perfectly for the blind and the latest version Microsoft took in to account we could not use it, so it has been repaired.
If you are going to use the windows messenger all your contacts will be there. It is a good choice for these that choose to go this root. Last the programs that install with messenger the poster that says listen to your screen reader when installing it is correct, but the other programs that are given free like the tool bar, life mail, photo gallery, I think it's called can be unchecked before you start to download messenger. Jaws does not see the check bhoxes, so assume they are there and use your space bar to uncheck them. If you goof and install some you do not want you can go to add and remove programs, then windows live asenchels and uninstall any you do not want. Once again Jaws does not see the check boxes, so assume they are their and check them.
As blind computer users in a sighted world we must expect programmers to do what is easy for the masses. microsoft is a company that strives to make things accessible. Give them a call if you have issues. They are there to help. Smile.

## Post 34 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Monday, 05-Oct-2009 20:43:19

thanks