Let's face it, Windows Live Messenger as a software is poor and sloppy. Then again I think most of the 'Live' products are turning out this way, but with so many exciting features within the programs we don't seem to care as much. Well here is my mission to improve Windows Live Messenger.

Take the file transfer feature for example, what a great idea. Sends thousands of file types (apart from the blocked ones introduced in MSN Messenger 7.0) to someone over the other side of the world in a matter of seconds. Unfoutuntaly, due to server problems or just bad coding this is no longer happening right.

The feature itself is rather bare, it does not tell you the speed or give you an estimate of how much time is left, just a green bar counting down the bytes. It gives the impression it was rushed, which you don't want in a software used by millions worldwide. However, that is not my main concern with the feature. The main problem is that it looks unprofessional, and is buggy. Here is my small experiment:

I sent a file (a jpeg image) to ten people on my contact list. There was no order, just random contacts down my list. I gave a quick hello message and sent the file their way. Two out of those eight people told me they were never alerted there was a file. I was not surprised by this. I often send files only to find out my contact never saw it. One contact on my list has troubles sending/ receiving files altogether on his account.

This was a small scale experiment (10 contacts is not evidence) but it is common behaviour. I am sure the problem can be pin pointed somewhere, but this file system is very old now, and I have not seen any changes ever since I started using MSN Messenger.

Changing the system should not be too hard, a program called File Transfer Plus! used its own system for years to send files over Messenger. However, your contacts who you were sending the file to would also need it installed. The principle was a great idea though.

In conclusion with this small article I believe the file transfer system needs serious work. It is buggy, looks half complete and lacks that professional touch, I hope others can agree with me and make it a priority for the next feature list for Windows Live Messenger. Hint: Any beta butterflys who want to mention this post on the newsgroups could help. After all this is not a rant, but a suggestion for the Messenger team. Post your experiences and suggestions about the file transfer system if you can please. I end this post with this quote by wtbw:

'It'd be easier to phone you up and read out every fucking byte'

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