“Microsoft’s instant messaging network is rejecting users who have signed up using a .Mac email address,” Macworld UK reports.
“Existing users of MSN (now Windows Live) have been knocked off the network when they try to sign in if they have originally used a .Mac address to sign up for the service,” Macworld UK reports.
“In a moment’s hubris, Microsoft insists users change their email address before using the service,” Macworld UK reports. “‘Because of a recent system update, you must change the email address that you use to sign in to Windows Live Messenger. Until you change your email address, you won’t be able to use Windows Live Messenger,’ an error message explains.”
Full article here.
[UPDATE: 1:48pm EDT: Microsoft has told MacNN “that it recently became aware of an ‘internal error during routine testing that resulted in customers using .Mac domains being asked to change their e-mail address in order to access to their Windows Live IDs. A Windows Live ID is the sign-in and password that customers use to access Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail and other Microsoft online services,’ the company said in a statement. ‘Access to Live IDs has been restored to our customers who use .Mac domains. We regret any inconvenience this caused for our customers.'”
MacDailyNews Take: So, now – right after you finish screwing those Chevy mud-flaps onto your BMW – you can access Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail and other Microsoft online services on your Mac again! Ain’t life grand?
Why is it evil? I can’t believe they actually intended to accomplish something with a “stunt” like this. More likely they were trying to implemented a more subtle plan and they messed up. Maybe they were implementing some tracking software to spy on dotmac users, and their bug bluescreened.
Hate to be the MS appologist here, but they corrected this yesterday and appologized for it.
http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/09/21/ms.corrects.mac.issue/
Unfortunately, if you changed your address, you can’t change it back. Here is the text of the response from Microsoft help:
“I gather that you would like to change back the e-mail address that you use to sign in to MSN Messenger for Mac. I understand that you already tried to change yyy@hotmail.com back to xxx@mac.com but you saw no available option to do it on the Window Live ID page. You further added that you are not able to create a new account with your old e-mail address. I certainly understand your sentiment about this. Unfortunately, there is no option that would allow you to change an MSN Hotmail e-mail address to a non-Hotmail account. Or to put it straight, there is no option to change your yyy@hotmail.com back to xxx@mac.com.
If you would like to create a new account with your old e-mail address, then you have to wait another 90 days before you can register it again.”
This is the second horrible experience I’ve had with Microsoft services in the past two weeks.
I don’t care just want 10.5, Dosn’t MS just make that Zune thing????
“Unfortunately, there is no option that would allow you to change an MSN Hotmail e-mail address to a non-Hotmail account.”
Oh please. Kinda convenient that the king of features & bloat would miss much an obvious feature, no?
Also seems just a bit suspect that they can fix the .mac issue in a day, yet they can’t put in a link to change your address. A little thought and some coding would’ve saved a fortune in customer support time.
Gotta love the MS Way.
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Where’s the DOJ?
MW: Bill. Heh…
It was a planned mistake that back fired on them badly. Not a good way to keep people using your product. Maybe they thought there were only a couple hundred .mac customers out there.
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Huh, so much for that theory.
using MSN = lick gates roids
This makes me laugh – the only way Microsoft can compete with Apple is by delibrately trying to lock mac systems out of corporate networks.
The only reason they do this is because they cant innovate or compete with Apple in any other area.
Lets face it, Microsoft Office suite is dead in a few years with all the web based office software soon to be out there.
Microsofts golden goose is ready for plucking.
Apple should create a web-based version of iWork which you can use in mac and windows browsers (except Internet Explorerer ofc as no one uses that pile of shit these days).
re: Oh, I forgot to mention that many corporations have anti-webmail policies.
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ONLY the largest corporation do.
What makes me laugh is they bliock webmail and yet they give everyone interest access so you can still access your webmail through a browser.
LOL – there is always a way to get around locking people out 😀
re: I don’t care just want 10.5, Dosn’t MS just make that Zune thing????
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Whats a Zune?
Infact, who are Microsoft? – Ive never heard of them.
Our passion. Your potential.
It happened to me. Ended up switching to my gmail address to fix it. Needless waste of time, but my workplace (100% Windows) has not been able to implement the IM feature in Lotus Notes, so Windows Live Messenger is pretty well embedded.
Yes, I like iChat and Skype better, but Windows Live Messenger is not so bad (that is to say, when it works!)
Hubris: according to its modern usage, is exaggerated self pride or self-confidence (overbearing pride), often resulting in fatal retribution. In Ancient Greece, “hubris” referred to actions taken in order to shame the victim, thereby making oneself seem superior.
Go then, Larry lead foot, Tell us all about your massive planet buster, and how it busts the balls of a Beemer.
OMG, could it possibly a Yank Tank.
In-regards to the story – if not a mistake, then a typical Microsoft tactic.
you guys go on about microsoft… its a FREE service.. not like your dumb ass .mac account.
re: you guys go on about microsoft… its a FREE service.. not like your dumb ass .mac account.
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At least .mac works and is worth every penny!
I run my design consultancy using .mac with a turrnover of £1million a year.
So up yours loser.
IF its worth every cent as you say why would anyone bother with hotmail? anyway petey have a nice day… Oh who cares what you make like l give a dam…. Yes apple have great software and hardware but its W***kers like you that give apple fans a bad name…
re:IF its worth every cent as you say why would anyone bother with hotmail? anyway petey have a nice day… Oh who cares what you make like l give a dam…. Yes apple have great software and hardware but its W***kers like you that give apple fans a bad name.
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You OBVIOSULY DO GIVE A DAMN as you are trolling on a mac news site.
I had a hotmail account, but I got so much spam and jink emails on it because Microsoft sells all teh email addresses to mailing and spam companies.
I ditched it in the end, it wasnt worth loggin into just to read 300 spam emailed a day.
One thing I have leanr in my 40 years on this planet is that you get what you pay for.
Everyone who uses hotmail only use it as a junk email account which they can signup on porn sites with.
I give Apple fans a bad name??
LOL.
ITS WANKERS LIKE YOU THAT GIVE THE HUMAN RACE A BAD NAME.
WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU AROUND NO WONDER THIS PLANET IS SO FUCKED UP AND ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL TO OBLIVION.
PEOPLE LIKE YOU PROBABLY DONT EVEN BELIEVE IN GLOBAL WARMING OR THAT FACT THAT THE WAY WE ARE GOING THE HUMAN RACE IS GONNA BE EXTINCT IN 300 YEARS.
GET a life and make a difference you sad excuse of a living organism.
@ Petey
I run my design consultancy using .mac with a turrnover of £1million a year.
.
LOL, Sure you do little boy. Another message board Bigshot. Run along now, your mommy is calling. She wants you to eat some dinner before you have to go to McDonald’s and cook french fries on the night shift…
Hey Petey, I bet you also own about 15,000 shares of AAPL that you bought for $15 (Like all the other BIG Time Investors here)… HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
You’re the loser kid..
ROFL.
How little you know my friend…
Go then, Larry lead foot, Tell us all about your massive planet buster, and how it busts the balls of a Beemer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_797B
Eat your heart out.
Oh my… darn.
Uhmmm so. Burp!
Petey
ROFL.
How little you know my friend…
Oh Yes yes yes, Petey, I’m sure….. I’m talking to Petey the BIG Time millionaire consultant… You are, like everyone else here, a very important person…
I know so little… Tell ya what little boy, I am 50 years old and been on the net since 1994 and on online systems since 1983.
I can tell a “teenager” when I spot one. Either that or you’ re just a very ignorant loser trying to act important….
Can I get a Diet Coke with my Happy Meal “Boy”…
Hey MDN,
You’re posting this story an hour after TUAW reported the problem fixed.
You are also an elite prick. The stereotype “typical Mac user”, who helps keep Apple at the fringe.
Greetings like yours makes the Microsoft universe much more appealing.