Scott Hanselman

Pushing The Limits of Instant Messaging...

March 05, 2003 Comment on this post [2] Posted in Web Services
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Well, it's happened.  I've just hit the maximum number of contacts allowed in MSN Messenger - 150.  I hit it naturally, and without trying, and now I'm stuck trying to figure out who to yank.  Current 57 of my close, personal friends are logged in, and 93 are not.  These are real people that I REALLY talk to.  About 10 are non-technical friends, and the other 140 are people I work with (and talk to all the time), MSFTies, RDs, or people I just really like to have hanging around in my System Tray. 

I probably get 15 to 20 random "do you know how to..." chats a day, and I probably produce at least that many a week.  I don't chat idly, there's no time.  I do however revel in the convenience of asking, or being asked, a directed question.  I prefer IM to the phone since IM affords me the luxury of lag time...I can't chat with someone on the phone and pause for 3 minutes after I've been asked a Question..."Oh, I wasn't paying attention to you anymore...could you read back the transcript?" 

How can I stay 3 or even 6 degrees away from the rest of the Connected World if I can't even keep 151 people at my fingertips?  Please, 250 at LEAST. 

It's a sad day for instant messengers everywhere...

About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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March 06, 2003 1:07
Here's your solution: Use Trillian (www.trillian.cc) and get a second Passport (use a Hotmail address or an alternate e-mail address). Voila, instant 300. :)
March 06, 2003 1:13
Ya, I tried Trillian, but I didn't feel like telling 150 other people to use one address while I used another. It's a nice thing though, Trillian...the interface isn't as streamlined as I'd like, but it's getting there. I think we'll see some serious UI innovation (think: simpler) in the coming year in the IM space.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.