I just got the latest version of Microsoft MSN Messenger; now named Live Messenger. What struck me first, was the use of screen real estate in the main window. It might be due to my rather low resolution (1024x768), but I still think it isn't optimal:
The main window has 264992 total number of pixels (without the border and the menus). I colored the different sections and here's the use:
- Brown/Orange: Name (aka who am I?): 15%
- Cyan: Advertisement: 13%
- Red: Blank (!): 4%
- Buddy list: 45%
My only use of the main window is the buddy list, which only uses 45% of the screen real estate. If I could decide something (a part from removing the advertisement and the search which isn't an option, I guess) I would remove the bottom bar "The Future of MSN Messenger" and resize the Name section into one third.
I'd also remove the "Click here to find out about music personal messages". The search part is also rather unneceassary, but I guess they just try to squeeze it in everywhere. Honestly - I wouldn't use an Instant Messenging program to start my search...
I think its a pity to see that the messenger app loose it's focus. This was why I switched from ICQ to Messenger in the old days, because of the tight and focused design of Messenger. With less than half of the screen real estate used on the important part, I guess ICQ was even better. Hopefully this will improve in the final - non beta - version :-)