Just re-installed windows, got to the stage of re-installing applications to be met with the eye-burning horror that is the newest version of MSN messenger. Seriously MS, how do you make it look considerably worse with each new version? It's a strange talent to have Is there decent third-party replacements that keep some of the features i actually like? (custom smileys (shush, fun for annoying friends) file-transfers, handwriting messages and so on)
I've been using Trillian for a few months. But it's utterly useless for file transfers and emotes. Just yesterday gone back to msn as I was sick of trillian looking pretty but not doing half the stuff I need it to.
MSN and MSNPlus are fairly good mate. Skins/Customisation to the degree a casual user needs. The usual really!
There's no adware on my machine, plus gives you an option to not install the crapware that sponsors it and always has
If not Trillian, and it has to be MSN.. then I would advise MSN 8.5 full + MSN Plus! + A-Patch is where its at. MSN8.5 for a non bulky gui (compared to later versions). MSN Plus! for extra features. A-Patch to remove unwanted features, like the popup adverts at the bototm, force a fake version number so the client does not bitch to update and also to allow you to load multiple msn clients to be able to login to multiple accounts at the same time to name a few.
