01-09-2004, 11:00 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Messenger and Passport: A Little Lame?
This is mostly an off-topic rant, but it relates to Messenger and Passport on the Pocket PC as well. Two things bugged me this week about these items: first, I got this error message when I tried to add someone to my Messenger list:
Upon counting, it seems 150 is the limit. Sure, 150 people is a lot, but 150 seems like an arbitrary number, and not a very high one at that. Is it a limit because contact lists are stored on Microsoft servers, and they didn't want to have storage costs get out of control? Regardless, I don't feel 150 is enough - the limit should be 500 or even 999. Anyone else run into this limitation?
Next, the issue of Passport accounts. The email address I have on my Passport account is an old one that is largely de-comissioned, so I wanted to update it to something more logical: [email protected]. I happily logged into the Passport server, updated the email address associated with my passport ID, and then logged back into Messenger...only to see a blank contact list? WHAT? 8O I then changed my email address back to the old one on the Passport server, and all my contacts came back.
Now, I'm not expert on identity, but shouldn't the email address be an atribute of the digital identity that Passport represents, not the entire identity itself? Shouldn't the contact list be based on the Passport ID, not the email address? Email addresses can change over time, and unless I'm missing something (entirely possible), there doesn't appear to be a way to change your Passport email address without it destroying your Messenger contact list. Has anyone else found a way around this?
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:09 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
|
|
I hate stuff like this, really. It's as if nobody tests the products they ship anymore.
The good news is that your MSN Messenger works. Mine stopped working after I did the update they released :-(
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:09 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,398
|
|
That's horrible! 8O
:idontthinkso: Bad Microsoft! Bad! :idontthinkso:
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:11 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
|
|
Well, another thing the server is doing is checking to see who's online and who's not. You got 150 people or more, that can add up to the server's processing....
To me, 150 is a lot of people. The most I've ever seen anyone have is about 20.
I would like to feel your pain, but I use Trillian as my IM'er ;-) I just love the lack of ads...
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:20 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 10
|
|
Yeah go Trillian it's the only way. Anyway messenger doesn't even have logging functions - what use is that as an IM client!?
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:20 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,185
|
|
Interesting. I had the same issue with the Passport email and contact list. I've stuck to using an old email address for years now. Never get an email there, but I still have the Passport account.
On a different, forward looking issue related to the 150 limit. I never added anyone except about 50 people that I "need" to stay in touch with real time. However, that number has been growing since I installed Outlook 2003. Users of that program know that each email has a little messenger icon that gives you the option of adding someone very easily (cutting about 5 steps out of the old process). This 150 contact limit could become more of an issue over time as I have over 1,800 contacts in my contact folder. That means less than 10% can be on my messenger list ever. Not a big deal for a home user, but as more of us seek a replacement for email (read SPAM), IM is in contention.
I wonder if the corporate editions have this limit. Yahoo now allows Yahoo's resume processing software to manage candidate and hiring stakeholders through Yahoo IM. Surely a corporate user would quickly exceed 150 contacts.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:23 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,185
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by nitrofly
Yeah go Trillian it's the only way. Anyway messenger doesn't even have logging functions - what use is that as an IM client!?
|
If you work for Enron et al, it might be a good thing... :twisted:
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:34 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 46
|
|
a fix for the messenger list is to, click contacts when you're logged in and then click save contact list, then log in under the new account and import the contact list, bit of a pain i know, i do also agree the 150 people limit is a real pain, also for the logging functions get messenger plus at www.msgplus.net it's a great add in which gives a lot more functionality
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:39 PM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 58
|
|
The thing that burns me the most about the passport system is the DRM rules. 6 devices is a joke. I buy a new PocketPC 2 times a year and a new computer yearly at work and the same at home. That gives me a year and a half to use my purchased e-books and then they are gone to me forever :evil: . Palm reader is much better in this respect, books I bought 4 years ago still work on all my devices.
__________________
Sean MurphyFounder - Mobile Gadget News Devices - Dell X51v, MPx220, Sony/Ericsson GC83 Edge Card,*Dell X50v, Audiovox SMT5600 (WM5.0), Audiovox PPC4100, Voq Pro
|
| |
|
|
|
01-09-2004, 11:53 PM
|
|
Neophyte
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8
|
|
I use AOL Instant Messanger for all of my IM needs. It has a 200 person limit per username. AOL also stores contacts on its servers.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
