How to Chat on MSN IM With MSN TV

MSN TV, originally called WebTV, uses a set-top box (Internet terminal) that hooks up to a TV set. With a remote control or a keyboard, you can access the Internet, visit websites, receive and send email, create simple websites, participate in chat rooms, email groups and discussion groups, play games, shop and send instant messages, all without a computer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Use MSN TV to send instant messages that you exchange with friends online in real time. They are faster than email messages. You can send an instant message to other MSN TV users or computer users who use MSN Messenger service.

2. Turn on your television set and your MSN TV unit. From the MSN TV home page, across the screen near the top, choose "Messenger." You must have a Microsoft .NET Passport to turn Messenger on. If you don't have a .NET Passport, choose "Settings" from the home page, and then choose "Microsoft Passport." Follow the instructions. You must also accept the "Terms of Use" to use Messenger.

3. Accept the update, if available. Prompts for updates often appear when you click on Messenger. The software on your Internet terminal may be out of date, and you must accept the update to use Messenger.

4. Choose "Messenger" on the home page. Your Buddy List should appear. This lists all the people you can IM. If you are using Messenger for the first time, your list should be empty. To add a buddy, choose "Contact" at the bottom of the screen. Type your buddy's email address and select "Continue." You should see a notice of whether the person is currently online.

5. Type your message in the box at the bottom of the screen if your buddy is online. Click on "Send." The message you've typed appears on the screen and your buddy sees the same thing. When the buddy responds, his message appears on the screen below yours.

6. Type a response in the box and click on "Send." Every time you or your buddy types a message it appears seconds later on your screen and your buddy's screen. When you are ready to end the conversation, click on "End" in the right-hand column.

7. Add a buddy to your address book. Click "Options." Choose "Messenger," and then "Edit Addresses" at the bottom of the screen. Your email address book should appear. Click on "Add" in the left column, type the name and email address your new buddy, and then click on "Add." If this friend is someone you can contact with MSN Messenger, you should see an Instant Message settings page. Choose the name of your friend. Click on "Continue."

8. Make someone a buddy in order to see whether they are connected to the Internet. When you use MSN Messenger, your buddy list displays who is online. You can also send instant messages to people who aren't on your buddy list.

Tips & Warnings

• When you add a buddy, MSN Messenger displays that person as not connected until they accept your buddy request. This may take a few days, but you still can contact the new buddy even if they don't appear to be connected. For more information on using MSN Instant Messaging on MSN TV, go to "Help" on the MSN TV home page. Under "Using the Web," choose "MSN Messenger."
• You can't use MSN TV Messenger to exchange messages with friends using AOL or Yahoo message services.