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Microsoft's free MSN Messenger hits the sweet spot. This colorful instant messaging application is simple to use and easy on the eyes, and its many features generally work as advertised. If you already have a Hotmail account, you can use your e-mail address and regular password instead of creating a new ID, once you've installed MSN Messenger.
After I got rid of the unnecessary MSN Today welcome screen, the IM app worked very efficiently. MSN uses clearly labeled icons for voice chats, video conferencing, file transfers, and so on. As I traded instant messages with my editor, I enjoyed the soothing white space in the IM window and the ease with which I could move from one task (sending a file) to another (checking my e-mail). Out of the corner of my eye,...