Introducing the IM emoticon…

If someone is putting this emoticon

it means that this guy is making a difference and is contributing in some of these cases mentioned in this list:

• American Red Cross — ready to help, code = *red+u
• National AIDS Fund — fighting AIDS, code = *naf
• National MS Society — joining the MS movement, code = *mssoc
• ninemillion.org — helping 9 million refugee kids, code = *9mil
• Sierra Club — exploring and protecting the planet, code = *sierra
• StopGlobalWarming.org — stopping global warming, code = *help
• UNICEF — helping kids survive, code = *unicef

So in order to be considered as a donation to a specific cause just use the code listed up there in your display name in order to be counted in the donation.
The more you tell people about it the more you will be helping your cause so spread it out .

I don’t live in the United States. What can I do?

Currently the donation only applies to Windows Live Messenger users in the United States but there are still ways you can help out.If you are living outside the united states you can try these five steps.

1. Sign up here. You will be asked for your country information, this will help with future plans of expanding this to other countries.
2. Add the i’m emoticon to your display name anyways to show your contacts what cause you support
3. Encourage all your friends especially the ones in the US to put an i’m emoticon in their display name
4. Send a lot of IMs to your friends in the US
5. Send feedback here about what causes you would like to see added in your country.

Have you tried mobile Messenger yet? It’s a great option for staying connected when you’re away from your computer,and is definitely worth trying out.

Recently, Windows Live Messenger for Mobile released a beta. Check it out at ideas.live.com.

The new version has proved to be a success.It includes emoticons, contact groups,status control while online, and a conversation window,which make the program extremely user-friendly.

Here’s what’s posted on ideas.live.com:

What it is?
It’s everything you already love about Messenger on your mobile device. Windows Live(TM) Messenger for Mobile helps give you instant access to your contact list, emoticons, and friends.

What’s new in this version?
• Easier-to-manage contact list and conversation inbox
• View and participate in up to 5 active conversations at one time
• No more idle conversation experience: Messenger for mobile can now maintain current conversation history and reestablish an idle conversation in the background
• Emoticons are now displayed as graphics within display names and conversations
• Easily change your display name and status, and even set status before you sign in
• Sort and find contacts more quickly and easily (search, filter by group, and hide offline contacts)
• Call or send e-mail to contacts directly from their contact cards
• Converse with temporary contacts (new people who don’t yet appear on your list of Messenger contacts), and receive the option to add them to your contact list

To try it out, browse to mobile.live.com on your mobile device and click “Messenger beta”. Sign in with your Windows Live ID… and you’re connected!

Soapbox and Windows Live Messenger users won’t have to exchange links in order to share a certain video. Now, you can click on Share > IM in the soapbox flash video player and it will ask you to choose which contact to share this video with. One you choose the contact, he/she will receive a notification alert that you are trying to share that video and you will watch it together inside Windows Media Player activities panel in the Conversation Window. Here’s a screenshot: