Category: Geeks r Us
So I've been hearing that Microsoft is going to kill Messenger in the beginning of 2013, and have a ton of questions. First, is this true? I've also been hearing that the only way to keep your Messenger contacts is to get Skype 6, and merge the two sets of contacts. Has anyone done this? How accessible is Skype 6? Once you've merged those contacts, do the new ones show up in GW Connect? I use that instead of Skype. Lastly, what will this do to programs like Miranda, or IM Plus on my iPhone? Just curious what anyone knows about this, or what experiences you've had.
Hi Elisha,
Skype 6 is very accessible, just like Skype 5, provided that you use the JAWS scripts for JAWS. As for your other questions, I'm not sure, can't really answer those for you.
If its available on Skype contacts, then GW will see them.
so, in January what will happen. you'll try to open the program and it wont let you log onto there servers ?
anyone know?
Not sure how Microsoft plans to get rid of it. I'm not looking forward to it though. I merged my Skype and MSN accounts awhile ago. I now see my Messenger contacts intermixed with my Skype ones. The problem is that it doesn't tell you if a Messenger contact is online, or away, or off line altogether. I've heard there's no work around for that problem, even with a different screen reader like NVDA. And no, GW Connect does not see the new Messenger contacts. I had a feeling it might not. I've been hearing people say Skype 6 is easy to use, but I haven't figured out chatting with it yet, so there must be something I'm missing here.
I've heard of quite a few people who have this problem. Not sure if there is a fix, or if it's a bug, but hopefully it can be sorted out before january.
Hmm, i just thought of something. GW is built different then the skype6 app. it is built useing what is it called again? the skype API which doesn't have all the features as regular skype
it is indeed possible to tell who's online in your contact list, using skype as messenger. if you tab around a few times while in the conversation window, it'll say "change contact list" which you just hit enter on to select whether it shows messenger online contacts only, skype ones only, or both.
Yes at the top of the list you see "change contact list" It states the list showing first "all Change contact list. Or Skype Change contact list. When you hit enter on this simply arrow to the list title you want and hit enter.
When set to all you see everyone and the online people are first. You can't see if they are away, or that sort of thing, but I suppose that isn't exactly important kind of.
Skype 6 is really easy with the Jaws Scripts. If you run Jaws, you can almost use it plain if you have Jaws 14, but it is a bit harder and the scripts do make it a breeze.
I'm going to do some research, because I also think it would be odd to do away with messenger, due to some people not having Skypeor Microsoft accounts at all.
On the iPhone Skype works just like Skype 6 if you have it updated. You see both messenger and Skype contacts and the rest too. Pretty slick really.
I did a bit of research,as I stated I might, and the poster is correct Microsoft has decided to actually close WLM.
I has said I didn’t think so, because everyone doesn’t have or want a Microsoft account, however, any account you are using with messenger seems to be counted as one.
Your Gmail, or Yahoo, and other things that have a dot net are counted.
For us that use the iPhone and Jaws, this shouldn’t be an issue. One user is having issues with XP with messenger, and after reading and his research this seems to be the reason why.
Do other users of other screen readers, think this will be a problem for them?
Aww man, this is gonna mean doing a lot of contact merging and other tech stuff that I don't want and/or don't know how to do. And Windows Live was my favorite messenger too. Shame.
Becky, microsoft merges your contacts to skype for you, if you already have an account. so, no worries, if that was your concern.
Yeah Becky, it is a shame. I'm not happy about it at all. WLM was my favorite too. I had a friend teach me how to use Skype 6 with the JAWS scrips, and it is easier than I thought, but still not as easy as WLM is. Still, I'm glad I know how to do it now.
I kind of think that WLM and Skype are almost same. I don't get the mail alerts, and the sounds aren't as good, but I suppose the sound can be changed, but with Jaws and the latest scripts it is really a breeze.
This may be because I have used both clients for a while now.
People have been wanting me to get MSN, but looks like I won't have to now. Maybe, if I ignore Jess long enough, Twitter will be cancelled too and I won't have to get that either! Hahaha.
What about windows live mail? Is that going as well?
they want people to move from hotmail to the outlook.com service.
how can they close WLM wayne?
is it one of those things that i try to log on one day and it wont work? what did you find.
I suppose they can just stop supporting it. I really don't know what they have in mind, and I can't seem to find much from them on it, just that at the top of the year it will go away.
On the Microsoft site you can still read trouble shooting and download it and all, so I don't know.
I have been a supporter of it and a person to ask how to when it wasn't working, but your issue stumped me on it for the first time.
I am going to do an install, or try to on my Windows 8 computer to see if it works. I can also remove it from my laptop and see if I can put it back.
Maybe write them an email on it, anyone that is interested in it sticking around.
your windows 8 box would support a newer version of messenger though.
is it possibel that it is just my version under xp? i have no idea.
oldapp said that version 15 works with xp. no it doesn't. i tried to run the installer for that and no dice.
i think you are right on what you said earlier, you'd need an XP box to play with, or my laptop .
would us using jaws tandom help? i dout it, but eh.
i noticed there isn't anybody else chiming in with issues pertaining to this who use XP. makes it even more odd.
something else i think should be . since they are merging everything, you'd think they'd include the statuses from messenger in skype lists too. such as away, BRB etc. oh well. maybe a work in progress
I thought I’d do a little testing to see what happened to me.
My text was done with Windows 8 and Jaws 14, but also works on Windows 7 Vista, and I’m betting XP for now.
I went to this website, a Microsoft website, so you understand all is legit and downloaded Windows essentials 2012.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-live/essentials-home
This comes with Windows Live Messenger, and it works just find. The settings I have posted also make it easy to use, but I have found it can work pretty much as is with Jaws 14, but I’d make the changes.
If this is so, for you JH, I’d got to this site and download the complete setup. It should see the operating system you are using and give you the correct programs for it.
I would like to know if that would correct your issue. The reason I believe it might is because all will be fresh, and under add and remove programs and Windows Live Essentials you can remove any programs you don’t want after the install.
For the rest of us, again I say despite the rumors and such, that Windows Live Messenger might be here to stay for a while. If there is a version for Windows 8, and I have it, I can’t see how it be going away so soon.
You can run both Skype and Messenger at the same time; you just get messages in both clients, and a notice you are signed in to two places.
You can also run Skype, buy just signing in to Skype the regular way, and messenger, that way you are only signed in to messenger once.
Messenger does not cross over with Skype, as Skype crosses over even with the newest version.
Give me some feedback on this? I’d like to know others findings.
I believe the poster of this post uses XP JH.
i downloaded and try to run the installer.
i unchecked the boxes for mail, writer, the toolbar, safety, and something else. all there was was a cancel butten since messenger was already installed.
the problem with her and i is her location. ware she is at the time she is tryin to text me and me her.
she says she has trouble with anything that involves the net so. eh.
as far as the weird blank issues i have with XP and Windows Live version 14, i doubt that'll be fixed honestly, but who knows.
Thanks for your help everybody.
Okay. I'll have to give up and say that today Microsoft finally states on the messenger site they will be retiring Windows messenger soon and suggest everyone switch to Skype.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/messenger/home
Honestly Skype is easy to use if you are already doing so. This doesn't say how long as as I posted before everything is still in place at this time.
Well folks, it is going away. I received this email today.
It's time to update Messenger to Skype!
Hello,
On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You'll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.
Update Now
Yours sincerely,
The Messenger Team
New to Skype?
1. Get the latest version of Skype.
2. Sign in to Skype with your Microsoft Account.
Already have Skype?
1. Update to the latest version of Skype.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account.
3. Merge your existing Skype account with your Microsoft Account.
Here are just a few of the great features that you can use with Skype:
• Instant message, video call and call phones from your PC, Mac, Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad, Android mobile, Kindle Fire and other devices
• Sharing your screen with friends and family
• Video call and instant message with your Facebook friends
• Group video call with up to ten friends at once*
• And that's just the start - there's so much more to explore on Skype
Update Now
So, what's happening between now and 15th March?
Messenger will continue to work as you know it today. If you are signed in with Messenger on your desktop** you will see a banner notification to upgrade. When you click on the banner, an installer window will open with the request to upgrade. This will take you through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger.
So, what's happening after 15th March?
Messenger users on desktops** will not be able to sign in and will only be able to upgrade to Skype. If you attempt to sign in, a notification will appear, and if you continue, you will be taken through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger at the same time.
Can I update to Skype on my mobile?
Yes! Skype is available on iPhone, Android and soon on Windows Phone 8. We encourage you to download the latest Skype app on your mobile and then uninstall Messenger. You will be able to sign in to Skype on your iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 8 mobile apps with your Microsoft Account over the next few weeks. If you use another phone with Messenger on it, it will continue to work for a while.
Where can I learn more?
For more help on updating to Skype, please visit the Skype Support site.
* To get group video chat, you'll need a Skype Premium subscription.
** Newer versions of Messenger will be able to receive the optional upgrade notifications. Older versions will not receive the notifications and you will have to download Skype manually.
What if you wish to continue useing Windows Live Mail (the mail program that comes with Windows Live?)
No problem. You can either use it with outlook.com or hotmail. Its not connected to messenger.
guess you install skype manually, and just dont use the messenger. though you could just install the Windows Live Mail part uninstalling everything else.
think you can set up imap services from that too?
No. You install Skype, the latest version. You ditch messenger, leave the mail and use it as you always do.
You sign in to Skype with your Microsoft account and that is the same thing you used to sign on to messenger. When you open Skype you'll find, if you keep going down "sign in with your microsoft account, or facebook. You will see all your MSN messenger contacts in Skype when you do this.
ah yeah i got the part about getin skype running. mine's all set up actually.
Thanks wayne.
okay here's another one.
How about those of us who use PAC Mates?
will they stil work on WLM or will i need to find the version of Skype for Pockit PC.
with Skype for Pockit PC, will i be able to log on to my MS account ?
They really need to fix it so it shows you the msn status.
At the moment there's no way of knowing if someone is online, busy etc.
I haven't switched to using skype for that reason.
Same here about the statuses you see on Skype for your Messenger contacts. It is annoying, but I don't have much faith in Skype that they'll fix it. I plan to just keep using Messenger till the 15th, and then switch over, and deal with it as need be. Stupid Microsoft!
Maybe the PAC Mate is one of those mobile devices that will continue to work for a while.
I can see when messenger contacts are online.
I can't see if they are away, or busy. To see if your list is online go to the top and select the list you want to see.
Example All, shows everything online or not. Messenger only shows who's on your messenger list, but not if they are on or not.
I will be back with more detail on how to see what you want
In Skype you can actually tell if your messenger contact is online, away, or busy, it’s just different. I’ll try to explain.
The computer I’m using now has Jaws 14 and Windows 8 with the latest Skype.
At the top of your contact list you find change contact list. Depending on what you have it set to, that speaks first. Example Skype, Change contact list. Or, Online, change contact list.
The list you can change to are, all, Skype, Online, Facebook, Messenger, and in my case Outlook, and group 2.
I do not know if Outlook shows on computers that don’t have it installed, but will check this when I have opportunity to do so.
To change the list you are seeing press the space bar, or enter key on the “change contact list”, move to the one you want and press enter to set it.
If you set your list to either all, or online, your messenger contacts will display message changes when they are online, away, or busy. If online it says so, if away, if your contact has a personal tag, that disappears, and a message is displayed concerning the time they left or set the status to away. I can’t paste it here, so can’t show it exactly, but when you hear it you’ll understand.
If a person is busy, the personal message also disappears, and a different message shows. Again you’ll understand when you see it.
If they are offline, when set to the entire slide to the bottom of your list and show offline. When set to online they disappear period.
If you chose the messenger list you only see that list, but cannot tell a person’s status. The all and online settings are the best for this.
With Jaws Skype will announce who comes online or goes offline if you have this feature on. To set this goes to tools, alt+T arrow up to options. Arrow down to notification settings and check these boxes.
I also have my Skype set to compact view, but I don’t think this make any different as to the statuses.
To set my view I press alt+V arrow down. If you hear default view hit enter to set it to compact view, if it speaks compact view you are good to go. The compact view allows me to deal with several people at once. It makes it like messenger when you have different people in separate windows.
I have a correction.
When setting Skype to compact view when you are going down the list if you hear compact view you should hit enter to set it that way. If you hear default view, your Skype is already set to the compact view setting.
In case you didn't see this the change over date has been moved up.
Hello,
Starting April 8th, we will begin upgrading customers from Messenger to Skype. The process will take a few weeks to complete. April 8th is the first day you may be required to upgrade. This is a bit later than the March 15th date we previously mentioned to some of you as we wanted to give you more time to make the transition.
is there a specific app for the iPhone, or is it just called skype? am curious, as I'd like to install it on my phone since I took it off my computer.
When I found it in the ap store for my IPod all I typed in the search box was skype and I found it.
that's what I was gonna do, but sometimes, that doesn't work, so figured I'd ask first.
You install Skype. When you sign in to Skype instead of using your Skype name go down a bit and you find sign in with a Microsoft account. Tap that and sign in just like you would messenger.
After that you'll be ask if you want to merge them. Say you do, and now you'll have messenger and Skype in one place.
does anybody know when GW Connect will be able to take advantage of the merged skype? or does that already work
I haven't tried.
2 weeks ago when I was posting about how to change over it wasn't working. I am thinking it won't have to, because after the complete change everyone will be Skype, so it will not need to.
So after the complete change, my old skype name will no longer work, and instead I will use my MSN address only?
I have wondered about that too. As of now you have a choice to sign in with your Skype name or MSN, but when you need services, such as Skype credit, or changing a setting in your account, you have to use your Skype name to sign in, so that is an interesting question.