This article is based on the first beta of MSN Mesenger 7.0.

1. Why can’t I remove any of the tabs? I can understand why you think I’d want them all there, but… you’re not me. This isn’t your experience, this is *MY* experience. You really, really want me to use this and recommend it to everybody? I guess this truly is MSN’s Messenger - although you shouldn’t make me feel that way.

2. I’m not on the dating scene - why do I need to see the Heart tab?! If you want to serve up something relevant, and you’re *NOT* going to let me remove the darn thing, at least refer to my Passport profile that I set up - saying that I’m already in a long-term relationship. If your service had any sense, it’d give me offers for flowers for Algernon Ponzi. But it’s not smart - it’s just a bunch of loose pieces, hastily joined. A real Passport-enabled messenger would be aware of my Passport prefs. Am I missing something (other than a great IM experience)?

3. Under the “Billing Information” menu, I see nothing about billing information. Instead, I see upsells to overload my crappy MSN Messenger 7.0 beta with more crap. Why not label it “More Crap,” perhaps? Not to say that AOL’s instant messenger is any better, but… no wonder third-party instant messaging clients are all the rage. I’m in charge of my IM, not you. Is this logic becoming a little more clear? Keep reading.

4. I don’t use Internet Explorer, nor is it registered as the default browser on my system (which I set with the tool that Microsoft integrates within the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet). Of course, your client has always been too dumb to figure that out. Good to see that some bugs features never go away.

5. I’m already a paid MSN subscriber - why am I seeing banner ads in my Messaging client? Wow, what an incentive *NOT* to upgrade again. I don’t want to see banner advertisements in my IM windows. And “thanks” for not remembering my window position. I move the ad off-screen, but as soon as I restart the IM client, you reposition the window for me. I’m a paying member, folks - I paid you money. I’m not complaining because I want this service for free.

6. Where’s the “Blog It” button? Ah yes, it’s completely buried. I have to first click on my name at the top of the tool, then ‘Add to My Personal Space.’ Add what - my name? Why? You’ve got the branding thing down-pat, but… you’re doing it incorrectly. If you’re gonna shove your vision down my throat, at least cherry-coat it with something other than NyQuil?

7. Where’s the news aggregator? Or, at least, a tab that helps me track my friends on, say… MSN Spaces? That would actually be something *gasp* useful! Instead, I get to see generic alerts from your partners. “Oooooh… Aaaaah…” Hear that? That’s the sound of your audience using something that they (themselves) control.

8. Why does MSN Messenger launch an external browser when I want to listen to anything? Uh, where’s the seamless experience I should be experiencing here? Same holds true for the Games tab. Keep me *OUT* of the browser whenever possible, please?

9. Why do I get a security warning when I attempt to download a display picture from the ‘Happy Face’ tab? Shouldn’t it just add it to my library since you’re already a “trusted” source? I tried to express myself and my true feelings about this new version, but there was no ‘middle finger’ to be found.

10. How about trying to get along with the other IMs out there? Try, for me? For us? For the sake of the System Tray?! Until you do, I’m sticking with the only chioce - a unified messenger. IM shouldn’t be about the client - it should be about the messages. And if I need to clarify any of these points, feel free to add me to your Contact list.

FWIW, I only complain about the products I want to use. Please, make MSN Messenger better. Suggestion? Visit Mess.be before the next beta cycle begins. My community tells me that I suck all the time… but I’m also one guy with fewer resources on hand!