====**updated** 13 sept 2006
a trusted source sent us this explanation from msn to them as to why msn chat is closing. the only thing we edited was email addresses and other personally identifiable information such as the msn reference number and names of msn customers.
**updated** 07 sept 2006====
I inquired directly to MSN RE: the closure of chat. I'm canceling my MSN account since they will no longer be offering chat. I will have this account open for e-mails though. Read my note to them, then the response. Thanx
This is the actual response MSN gave me.
EDITED
From: msnchat_us@css.one.microsoft.com
Sent: Friday, September 08, EDITED
Subject: RE: EDITED - Comment or suggestion
Hello EDITED,
Thank you for writing to MSN Chat Technical Support.
I am Cheryl and I understand that you are inquiring why MSN Chat will be discontinued and if the Chat feature of MSN Groups as well. I also gather that you are requesting to cancel your MSN Dial-up Internet Access subscription on the last day of MSN Chat, October 18, 2006. I realize how important this feature is to you. We appreciate that you have written to us regarding this.
As customers continue to evolve and change the way they communicate, the number of people using chat has significantly declined and chat has become a less popular method of communication with customers. Microsoft looked at the MSN Chat user numbers and the chat room industry on the whole and determined that discontinuing this service would allow us to focus on providing an even better online experience to the broadest set of Microsoft communication services customers. With this, MSN Chat will no longer be offered as of October 2006. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
In line with this, the Chat feature within MSN Groups will also be discontinued. It is important to note that only the Chat feature within MSN Groups will be affected by this change. You will still continue to enjoy other features and services offered by MSN Groups.
Microsoft is committed to creating the best communication services that seamlessly bring customers closer to each other. Currently we offer multi-party IM within Windows Live Messenger, and social networking through Windows Live Spaces.
A broad audience uses MSN and Windows Live services with more than 465 million unique users visiting MSN each month worldwide. Hotmail and Windows Live Mail are used by 260 million active accounts, Windows Live Spaces has more than 120 million monthly unique users and there are 240 million active Windows Live and MSN Messenger accounts.
With Windows Live and MSN communication services, customer feedback is critical to us to ensure we deliver services that meet and exceed customer needs. We look forward to making additional group communication options available to our customers in the future.
To learn more about Windows Live services, please visit the link below:
http://ideas.live.com
Regarding your request to cancel your MSN Dial-up Internet Access subscription, I have determined that the MSN Dial-up Internet Access Technical Support Team can best help with your concern. They are fully equipped with the issue you have raised, and would surely be glad to be of assistance to you.
To submit questions or concerns to MSN Dial-up Internet Access Technical Team, you may use the link provided below:
1. http://support.msn.com/default.aspx?lc=1033
2. Please sign in using your MSN paying account.
3. Click on the MSN Dial up Internet Access link.
4. Click on the email button under Technical, then fill out the information.
Thank you for using MSN Chat.
Sincerely,
Cheryl
MSN Chat Technical Support
For future reference, instructions, and other helpful information pertaining to MSN Chat, you may opt to visit the MSN Help Center at http://chat.msn.com/help.asp.
--- Original Message ---
From: EDITED@msn.com
Sent: Thursday, September 07, EDITED
To: msnchat_us
Subject: Comment or suggestion
Feedback URL: ALL Subscription chat rooms & MSN groups chat rooms
Name: EDITED
Email:
EDITED@msn.com
Description:
MSN posted this notice on the Chat Home Page last week:
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
MSN Chat will no longer be offered on or after October 18th. To communicate directly with your contacts, please download Windows Live Messenger.
Since I have retained my MSN9 account solely for the purpose of the subscription chat rooms, I notified MSN via telephone today to cancel my MSN9 subscription as of October 18, 2006( as I have had DSL from another company for some time now). The MSN representative told me I had to contact MSN through the "feedback" on the Chat Home Page before they would cancel my MSN9 account (since he had no update on the impending closure of all the chat rooms). Another friend of mine also contacted MSN which responded that all of the group chat rooms will also be closing. Since MSN is no longer offering the feature that is the only purpose for my subscription, I wish to cancel on the last day of chat (October 18, 2006), and I am recommending to others who have retained accounts solely for chat purposes to follow suit.
Chat may not be a feature I use daily, however, it used to be an enjoyable break from the usual routine. It gave me an opportunity to meet many varied people from diverse backgrounds that I wouldn't have been in contact with otherwise.
It's a shame you chose to delete chat from your services.
====
Category: SOFTPEDIA NEWS :: Microsoft
Microsoft Live killed MSN Chat?
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor
The Redmond Company has quietly announced that it will be shutting down the MSN Chat Webpage and the afferent services. While trying not to make the news, Microsoft only has posted this information on the actual site, addressing the MSN Chat users explicitly. And while the underlying reasons behind the decision were not officially made public by the Redmond Company, two speculative scenarios have risen to provide an explanation.
The Redmond Company has not delivered statistics regarding the MSN Chat's success, but it seems that audience ratings are at the basis of the shutdown decision. MSN Chat has never evolved into a social networking hotspot, or developed a consistent user community. Furthermore, speculations report that while the stagnant subscribers' pool has begun to decrease new sign-ups haven't geared up in order to fill in the user gap.
Downplaying the decision, Microsoft has posted an important notice on the MSN Chat: "MSN Chat will no longer be offered on or after October 18th. To communicate directly with your contacts, please download Windows Live Messenger." This is related to the additional reason for the MSN Chat's shutdown. With the launching of a plethora of services reunited under the Live umbrella, the Redmond Company is amputating the obsolete MSN Chat in order to breathe life into its newly born child.
