MSN Dial-up
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Company type | Division of Microsoft |
---|---|
Industry | Internet |
Founded | August 24, 1995 |
Area served | United States Worldwide (MSN Premium) |
Products | Dial-up Internet access |
Owner | Microsoft |
Website | get |
MSN Dial-up is an
Microsoft renamed the service MSN Internet Access in 1998, focusing its main '
Along with dial-up service, MSN provides its subscribers with an @msn.com
Early history
The Microsoft Network
The concept for MSN was created by the Advanced Technology Group at Microsoft, headed by
The Microsoft Network was originally presented through an artificial folder-like
MSN was included with Windows 95 installations and promoted through Windows and other Microsoft software released at the time. Product support and discussion was offered through the MSN service, as well as information such as news and weather, basic
There was debate in the media as to whether MSN would be an 'Internet killer', and some companies hedged their bets for the first year, creating content both on MSN and the World Wide Web. However, MSN launched too late to be a real threat to the web. Following Bill Gates' internal 'Internet Tidal Wave memo', which refocused Microsoft to be Internet-centric, MSN began to move its content to the web and promote itself more actively as an Internet service provider.[7]
Following the release of MSN 2.0 in 1996, Microsoft renamed its original proprietary online service 'MSN Classic'. Microsoft eventually shut down any remaining access to the MSN Classic service in 1998.
MSN 2.0
In 1996, in response to the increasing relevancy and rapid growth of the World Wide Web, Microsoft created a new version of MSN, called 'MSN 2.0', which combined access to the Internet with web-based multimedia content in a new program known as the 'MSN Program Viewer.'[8] The service was promoted to existing MSN subscribers beginning October 10, 1996; the general release followed on December 10, 1996.[9][10]
Microsoft promoted MSN 2.0 with a series of advertisements and promotional materials describing the service with the phrase, "Every new universe begins with a big bang." The company offered the initial release of the new MSN 2.0 service on a CD-ROM that it sent to MSN subscribers in the fall of 1996. When inserted, the CD-ROM opened to the ambitious and flashy 'MSN Preview', an interactive video-based experience that introduced current and prospective subscribers to the new version of MSN and described the features of the MSN 2.0 software.[11]
The MSN Preview was filmed at the
A handful of uncredited
Once installed, members accessed MSN content through the MSN Program Viewer, which was essentially an animated, stylized and streamlined interface on top of an Internet Explorer 3.0 web browser. When members signed in, they would be presented with several different 'Channels', which were categories for the various types of content available on MSN.
These channels included new services that launched in 1996 such as
Interactive multimedia content was presented in a TV-like format, dubbed MSN shows, as part of the 'On Stage' section. The many shows and sites included an interactive online nightly game show called 'Netwits', a snarky website addressing women's issues called 'UnderWire', and a regular celebrity interview and web-surfing session called 'One Click Away'.[16]
These new destinations supplemented other Microsoft web-based services such as CarPoint and
The new content made extensive use of multimedia and interactive features, including VBScript and early implementations of Macromedia Shockwave Flash (originally called 'FutureSplash') for animations.[17]
While the MSN shows approach was unique and innovative, the content was not easily accessible by members with low-end computers and slower dial-up connections.
In addition to MSN 2.0's speed and stability issues, existing MSN subscribers were concerned the transition to MSN 2.0 would break up communities that were established via the MSN Classic message boards and chat rooms.[18] Their concerns were confirmed when Microsoft announced plans to close the entire MSN Classic service. As a result of all these issues, a website called 'The Official msNOT Hate Site'[19] originated as a negative response to the new MSN 2.0 software. The website claimed Microsoft patently ignored feedback from concerned members and censored anyone who spoke out against the upgrade; it further charged the company's handling of the transition to MSN 2.0 was "insensitive and ethically questionable."[15] Microsoft denied it attempted to silence those who expressed concern about the upgrade.[20] The website also mocked the music loop that played during the MSN 2.0 installation process because it repeated the phrase "too stupid to stop."[15]
Ultimately, the ambitious use of web-based and interactive multimedia content on the Internet during 1996 and 1997 proved to be ahead of its time, and the MSN 2.0 service was not as successful as Microsoft initially hoped. The company returned to the drawing board for its next MSN release.[8][21][22]
MSN 2.5
In 1997, after abandoning the interactive multimedia format, the MSN service was again refocused, this time as a more traditional Internet access service. With the release of MSN 2.5 (code named 'Metro' and sometimes referred to in marketing materials as 'MSN Premier') in late 1997, some exclusive MSN branded content was still offered through the MSN Program Viewer, but the service primarily directed members to traditional text-based websites that anyone on the Internet could access, instead of interactive shows.[23]
Beginning with MSN 2.5,
MSN 2.6 and 5.0
With the release of MSN 2.6 in 1998, Microsoft renamed the service 'MSN Internet Access', and the MSN Program Viewer was abandoned entirely in favor of the more familiar Internet Explorer. Another new version of the service, MSN Internet Access 5.0, was released along with
Also in 1998, Microsoft relaunched its
MSN Explorer
Developer(s) | Microsoft |
---|---|
Stable release | 11.80.0015.0100
/ March 15, 2021[25] |
Operating system | Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 |
Platform | Microsoft Windows |
Website | membercenter |
With the release of
Upon the transition to MSN Explorer,
Version history
MSN 6 and 7
An early
Microsoft began referring to the MSN Explorer software as simply 'MSN' beginning with version 7, an update that was rolled out shortly after the initial release of Windows XP. Microsoft halted development of the free edition of the software in 2002 in favor of a version only available with MSN dial-up and premium subscriptions. Versions of MSN Explorer later than 7.5 require a paid subscription, but it is possible to use another Internet service provider while accessing content provided through the MSN Explorer software. The last free version of the MSN software also remained available for download for some time.
MSN 8 and 9
MSN versions 8 and 9 were released in 2002 and 2004 respectively. As of MSN version 9, the software began requiring a user to have a
MSN 10
Microsoft began rolling out MSN version 10 in November 2009, following the release of Windows 7. Features included full compatibility with Internet Explorer 8, an integrated spell checker, and the ability to exclude MSN Messenger from the installation. Version 10.2 was released in 2011, including photo email integration with SkyDrive (now OneDrive), the ability to include photos or a photo slideshow with a link so others can download a copy for themselves, and customizable toolbar button groups. Version 10.5 added minor improvements to the MSN software; most notably Microsoft changed its user agent to disguise it as a newer web browser in order to bypass 'outdated browser' warning messages from some websites.
MSN 11
MSN Explorer 11 is the current version, which was released in April 2014 and offers compatibility with
MSN for Mac OS X
MSN for
International
Microsoft has extended its MSN dial-up Internet access service beyond the United States since 1995, partnering with various telecommunications companies to provide service in numerous areas around the world.
In
MSN has many offices worldwide for national customer support. It utilizes the service of call centers around the world. Among the countries are the Philippines (technical and customer service), El Salvador (technical and customer support for Spanish-speaking customers), and India (customer service). In 2007, Microsoft set up a research and development center for MSN China, based in Shanghai's Zizhu Science Park, which hosts technical support for MSN services.[31]
MSN Premium
For customers with high-speed
In the past, Premium could be obtained by American customers by acquiring
See also
References
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- IDG. Archived from the originalon April 10, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "AOL still has 2.3 million dialup subscribers—and they're very profitable". Quartz. August 6, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ "MSN Dial-up: A better way to connect: faster, safer, and smarter". Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- ^ "MSN Explorer: Account & billing help - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ Robert J. Ambrogi (1995). "First Look: The Microsoft Network". Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^ "May 26, 1995: Gates, Microsoft Jump on 'Internet Tidal Wave'". Wired. Condé Nast. May 26, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
- ^ a b "MSN works to find its focus". Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^ a b c "New Web-Based Version of The Microsoft Network Debuts". News Center. Microsoft. October 10, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Microsoft Announces General Availability of The Microsoft Network". News Center. Microsoft. December 10, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ a b "First Look: MSN Preview video from 1996". YouTube. July 13, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^ "MSN's early Internet experiment". tylerc.com. July 13, 2006. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Dave Curry – Blog Archive – Spümco's Weekend Fur Hunt". June 11, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009.
- ^ "The Ultimate Anna Faris Experience: MSN 2.0 Preview". Annafaris.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ a b c d the DDJ staff (February 1, 1997). "Dr. Dobb's News & Views 2/1/97: MSN2 Alienates MSN Members". Ddj.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Website Review: 'The Microsoft Network'". Entertainment Weekly. November 29, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "Behind the Scenes at MSN 2.0: Architecting an Internet-Based Online Service". Microsoft.com. 1997. Archived from the original on July 27, 2003. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "CNET News.com: Mixed bag for MSN – November 20, 1996". November 20, 1996. Archived from the original on December 30, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "The Official msNOT Hate Site". December 21, 1996. Archived from the original on December 21, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- New York Times. November 23, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "The Microsoft Network Previews Service Upgrade". News Center. Microsoft. July 21, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- Entertainment weekly. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "The Microsoft Network Announces Significant Service Upgrade Backed by "Million Dollar Madness" Sweepstakes". News Center. Microsoft. October 13, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ Paul Thurrott (July 30, 1997). "Microsoft upgrades MSN to version 2.5". ITPro Windows. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ a b "MSN Explorer Update History". MSN. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
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- ^ "sympatico.msn.ca". sympatico.msn.ca. January 1, 1970. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "prodigy.msn.com". prodigy.msn.com. December 31, 1999. Archived from the original on March 12, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "MSN Worldwide". Msn.com. December 31, 1999. Archived from the original on November 27, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Microsoft's Research and Development Center in China". Gadget4boys.com. February 1, 2007. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "MSN Premium kaufen – Microsoft Store de-DE". Microsoft.
- ^ "Acheter MSN Premium - Microsoft Store fr-FR". Microsoft.
- ^ "Verizon and Microsoft Expand Alliance to Provide Windows Live Services for High-Speed Internet Subscribers". News Center. Microsoft. August 29, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Verizon Transition: FAQ". Microsoft. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.