Using MSN 8
The default MSN 8 user interface (Figure) is similar to previous versions, but with some major improvements. The most obvious is the new Dashboard component, a side-mounted replacement for the My Stuff bar that provides quick links to MSN services. The main MSN window, meanwhile, is basically an Internet Explorer window with a few twists. The IE toolbar has been replaced by a navigation bar that includes links to MSN Web sites and services such as Favorites, Search, Mail, Messenger, Entertainment, and so on. You can't remove any of these links or add your own links, sadly, but you can resize the navigation bar to fit comfortably on any screen resolution, determine whether text labels and/or icons are displayed, and even turn off the navigation bar all together if you wish.
Read more at
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/msn8.asp
MSN Messenger 5
Microsoft's instant messaging client, MSN Messenger, has yet to take the world by storm, thanks to AOL's illegal lock on that market. But Messenger is a great IM application, and one that I actually use daily. In the new version, MSN Messenger 5, Microsoft has added a few interesting new features. By default, a new MSN Today window opens when Messenger runs, showing you a very AOL-esque view of what's happening today on the Web. Also, a new Shared Browsing feature lets you initiate a shared browsing session with people you are chatting online with.
Also, for XP users, it's now possible to run both MSN Messenger 5 and Windows Messenger simultaneously. This allows you to logon to two different Passport accounts simultaneously, which can be useful. Or, if you're bored, you can chat with yourself, I suppose.