Filed under: Internet
Microsoft corrects .Mac issue
Last week, .Mac users were having trouble using Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger service (why they don't connect to MSN Messenger with Adium is unclear, but, whatever...). Specifically, attempts to connect with an "@mac.com" email address produced an error, prompting the the user to change their address.Microsoft has since fixed the problem, which they attributed to "...internal error during routine testing." In other words, you're now good to go, .Mac users. All is well that ends well.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aleks said 12:30PM on 9-23-2007
Too bad they already forced me to switch over to a @hotmail.com login :(
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David said 12:34PM on 9-23-2007
>> (why they don't connect to MSN Messenger with Adium is unclear, but, whatever...)
Because Adium (libpurple) doesn't support personnal messages ?
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Sabon said 12:36PM on 9-23-2007
"(why they don't connect to MSN Messenger with Adium is unclear, but, whatever...)"
No, the question is why they connect to ANY MajorSuck product is unclear.
As to 1) Nobody "forced" you to do anything. Stop using their cr*p and you won't have to worry about it.
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Konstantino said 12:52PM on 9-23-2007
I actually DID connect to MSN through my .Mac e-mail via Adium and still received the error. My NET Passport is gone now.
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Laurence said 1:08PM on 9-23-2007
the error came up regardless what program you used to sign into the service, whether it be Adium, Microsoft Messenger for Mac, or Windows Live Messenger.
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Andreas Tellefsen said 1:11PM on 9-23-2007
Who says we didn't use Adium? Like you wrote, the problem was with the Windows Live Messenger SERVICE - not the software. I already changed my ID over to gmail, but man what a hassle. Stupid Microsoft.
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Paul said 1:16PM on 9-23-2007
That's nice. When is Microsoft going to "fix" the problem of webcams not being included in Messenger for Mac?
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Aleks said 1:30PM on 9-23-2007
3) Force probably was a bad choice of word.... The majority of my friends utilize MSN not AIM/Google/Skype.
It was either keep in contact with them or no contact at all.. I choose for the 'mandatory' switchover to @hotmail.com.
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Pocky said 1:56PM on 9-23-2007
The problem affected ALL MSN users WITH @mac.com endings- so this is independent of Adium. I was using Adium and got the error message.
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syndkt said 1:59PM on 9-23-2007
Now, now, I'm sure this is just another unfortunate coincidence, like how Apple iCards and .m4a files get flagged as viruses by Hotmail's filters. I'm sure it's not deliberate, and you can't prove otherwise.
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Danny said 2:42PM on 9-23-2007
This happened to my @mac.com account when I connected through Adium. My initial thoughts were that Microsoft decided that it would be fun to kill passports that come from an Apple premium service Nevertheless, I registered a new passport. I'm still pissed about the whole thing though.
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caylan said 3:27PM on 9-23-2007
god damn it. why wasn't this more publicized as an error? seriously, now I've given up my .mac MSN account in favor of shittily named hotmail address. f-off, microsoft.
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Hawkman said 3:54PM on 9-23-2007
#3: Irritating idiots like yourself always fail to realise that most of us have no choice - we have to use what our friends use. Please, always try to use your brain when posting on the internet.
Also - "routine testing" my ass. They already censor your messages, I bet it was either going to become a 'feature', or they were adding 'Mac' to the block list or something.
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Dan Woods said 4:28PM on 9-23-2007
You're not "Forced" to use a Hotmail address; you're mearly encouraged.
Most Live Login Pages redirect you to create a Hotmail Address, but it you go to passport.NET, instead of Live.com, you can create a Passport with an existing Email Address.
This is the biggest flaw with the Windows/MSN/Live messenger system. The second flaw are those stupid ads, and the third is the potpurri of Bugs, littered throughout the system.
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Jussi said 12:51AM on 9-24-2007
Great. Not only did I change to their stupid @messengeruser.com address, it didn't even work, so I have had no MSN for more than a week. Wonder if I can change back... Dangit!
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Gtoffo said 5:53AM on 9-24-2007
I'm pretty sure you can change you login id back to you .mac email. just go back to the Msft support site. I had the problem while using adiumnd just ignored it for a while...everything went back to normal after a few hours. (I wasn t going to switch to crapppy @hotmail for any reason).
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Michael said 8:46AM on 9-24-2007
This is funny to be honest. I remember (back in the day) when i put an easter egg into the MS products sites that said something to the extent of "silly tester, dont you know we only support IE". It showed anytime an internal (Corp network) non -IE browser went to the site. I pushed it live - thought funny. Stayed there for a long time.
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Steven Fisher said 1:18PM on 9-24-2007
The Adium troll isn't appreciated. I use Adium for some things, but you'd have to be really ignorant to think it worked in every situation, solved every problem, and was the best tool for every job.
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dwergs said 3:41PM on 9-24-2007
From http://www.mess.be:
If you want your precious .Mac login back like it was, you will have to register the address again via this link (https://accountservices.passport.net/reg.srf?lc=1033&fid=RegCredOnlyEASI&ru=https://accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf%3Fvv%3D500%26lc%3D1033&cru=https://accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf%3fvv%3d500%26lc%3d1033). Log into your newly transformed account with Windows Live Messenger or Microsoft Messenger. Backup your contact list (go to Contacts > Save instant messaging contacts...), log out, and log in with your renewed @mac account. Finally, restore the .ctt file (go to Contacts > Import instant messaging contacts...). And unlike the problem with converted accounts, statuses will appear correctly again.
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