Just got ahold of the new Windows Live Messenger BETA thanks to an invite from Schlosser. Some of the new features are great, but some are lacking. I think the interface is still a bit cluttered, but better. I think the idea of search in everything is a bit over the top for people. I think 100% of the time I see searches in message windows is by accident. People just click the wrong button, which makes me think they are 1) too close together, 2) not useful. I think the biggest issue is that we are searching together, and don’t get to see the results prior to sharing them with your buddy.

I like the removed adverts below the main window when replaced with MSN videos. But again, let me remove them, and let me remove the search. I am interested in trying out Microsoft Communicator for my enterprise, so maybe in 2006 I’ll put together a test box and get it running, so I can compare feature sets. They just released a webclient to suppliment the Outlook Web Access idea, so there is no install when your on the road or at a shared computer.

I will send out invites as soon as Microsoft allocated them to me. I would guess that would be towards the end of the month or January.