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MSN Chat is the Microsoft Service Network version of the popular IRCX IRC extensions by Microsoft.
Closure On August 31, 2006 Microsoft announced that MSN Chat will no longer be provided, On October the 16th, MSN chat shut down their servers at about 11:30am EST. Differences Between MSN Chat and IRC/IRCX The major differences between the two services can be seen in the chart below:
Note 1: Any client can connect if they answer the MSN Chat Server "challenge" questions correctly and are successfully authenticated. Note 2: Unless a third-party application is used, the only way to connect to MSN Chat is through the MSN Chat website. GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport are the only externally supported authentication methods for MSN Chat, and authentication is required. This information is stored in your .NET Passport (now Windows Live ID). These authentication methods are not publicly documented. The difference between GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport is just that one is for registered users (GateKeeperPassport), and requires Passport credentials. The other (GateKeeper) is not officially supported by the MSN Chat client itself and is for unregistered users. GateKeeper authentication does not require any credentials, but it does require your client understands their challenge/response algorithm. By authenticating via the GateKeeper protocol, you will not be able to use your registered MSN Chat nickname and you will show in the room as Guest_nickname (or as >nickname to IRCX clients). Using GateKeeperPassport authentication enables you to to use your Registered MSN Chat nickname and allows users in the room to see your MSN Chat profile. NTLM The other authentication method supported for MSN Chat is NTLM. It is used for staff to connect to the network and authenticate as Operators, whatever their level may be. They use a client called "MSN Chat Admin Client", which is a modified version of the Microsoft Chat IRCx client. It uses NTLM to hash their username and password and authenticate with the server, therefore logging in as operators. Third Party Applications While using the official MSN Chat Control is the only officially-supported way to chat with MSN Chat, there are other software programs that allow you to connect to MSN Chat Servers. By using one of these clients to connect to MSN Chat, you are violating their Code of Conduct and Terms of Use. Since MSN Chat is now a subscription service, and most of the software programs out there allow you to connect without a subscription, you may find yourself banned by an Admin, Sysop, or Guide (will explain these below). User levels This section covers MSN Chat, IRCX, and IRC. MSN Chat MSN Chat has the following user levels (the MSN Chat client shows icons for each level): MSN Staff levels: MSN member levels: IRCX IRCX servers typically have the following user levels: IRC IRC servers typically have the following user levels: MSN Chat/IRCX Modes Since MSN Chat uses the IRCX protocol, MSN Chat and IRCX share the same basic modes (both channel and user).
IRC Modes IRC modes vary by server (Hybrid, Unreal, etc.), though most all of them support similar modes. Consult the documentation with your favorite server for more information. MSN Chat Clones There are many sites that illegally (debateable) use MSN's Chat Control, and servers set up somewhat like MSN's, to offer a service like MSN Chat. They are usually refered to as "MSN Clones". There is no need to spam links to these clones, as this will likely just turn into a spamfest of these sites. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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