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New: XXX Webcam Chat HERE! 100% Free! On August 31, 2006 Microsoft announced that MSN Chat (Some called it Hotmail Chat) would no longer be provided.
On October 16, 2006 MSN Chat shut down their servers at about 11:30 a.m. EST. The service closed because MSN no longer deemed it profitable to run as a subscription service and the decision to close it was said to be based on this fact.
MSN Chat was the Microsoft Network version of IRCX (Internet Relay Chat extensions by Microsoft), which replaced Microsoft Chat, a set of Exchange-based IRCX servers first available in Windows 98 Second Edition's Comic Chat client, although Comic Chat was not required to connect.
In the Beginning
Shortly after the move from Microsoft Chat, the MSN Chat Network could be directly connected to through any IRC Client to irc.msn.com on port 6667. Perhaps because of abuse or other factors, such as the desire to authenticate users based on their Microsoft Passport, Microsoft implemented GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport, and integrated both into their chat control. The weakness of GateKeeper and the fact the early MSN Chat Controls (1.0 - 3.0) had public functions for doing GateKeeper authentication seemed to indicate Microsoft wanted third parties to be able to access their network as before, but they wanted to be able to control automated abuse. In any event, these public functions allowed normal IRC clients to authorize themselves.
There are many chat networks attempting to simulate the service that was provided by the Microsoft Network, which use the "MSN Chat Control". These simulation chat networks are often referred to as "MSN Chat Clones". MSN Chat Clones are generally small chat networks, which often rely on home-made IRC servers, or IRCX servers.
A big reason for MSN chat shutting down was that it provided another opportunity for pedophiles to have access to underage prey through the chat rooms. As shown on the popular MSNBC programming, To Catch a Predator, a show about catching pedophiles as they meet up with who they thought were children from online interaction, a majority of the child molesters first made contact in a MSN or AOL chat room.
This is the order of MSN Chat going offline:
1 - The MSN Chat website went down, and the chat.msn.com domain was re-directed to groups.msn.com
2 - The Directory server went offline.
3 - The Group servers went offline.
4 - Finally the chat servers went offline.
R.I.P MSN Chat Rooms - Arise Windows Live groups
MSN chat rooms are now called Windows Live Groups. MSN is actually a part of Windows Live. Windows Live groups are easy to create and contain all of the capabilities that the MSN chat rooms used to have. Groups of up to 20 members can have live chat sessions over Windows Live messenger and groups can post messages on the group's chat board where all members can respond. Windows groups are a way to stay in touch with people, have everyday discussions, or promote a business online.
