Guide - Windows Live Messenger in Windows 7, reverting to the old way

This guide is for you if you answer YES to these 3 question.

1) Do you use Windows Live Messenger?

2) Do you use Windows 7?

3) Do you prefer WLM icon appearing at the traybar (near the clock) instead of the taskbar (which is a new change introduced in Windows 7)?

You might answer NO to the third question. However, at least you will be wondering why this issue comes up in the first place.
Here is why;
a) Right click menu of MSN at the traybar seems more responsive than at the taskbar. This is shown when;
 - Sometimes your Unread Inbox Message counter of your inbox seems incorrect in the Taskbar version, which so far never happens to me in the traybar version.
 - Sometimes you end up clicking the msn icon of the Taskbar version multiple times to get to the MSN main screen especially when you are doing heavy work on your PC.
b) If you use Messenger Plus, the 'More Statuses' only appear in the traybar version.
c) Other messengers are still utilizing the traybar. So, you might want to group them together.
d) Some perfectionists consider IM programs as PASSIVE programs. They believe the traybar are for PASSIVE programs while the taskbar are only for ACTIVE programs.

So, have you changed your mind? I don't mind you know. But in case you decided to say YES as well, then go on to the tutorial below. Don't worry, no patching or altering system files involved. It is the legal way. It is only that many people don't know about it.



So, how to revert it to the previous way?

Short answer -
Run Windows Live Messenger in compatibility mode for 'Windows Vista'.

Long answer/ How to - 
1) Go to your Windows Live Messenger shortcuts at the desktop or start menu. Another way is to browse directly to the main exe file at C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe.
2) Right click > Properties
3) Go to the Compatibility tab.
4) Tick the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
5) Select "Windows Vista" from the drop-down menu.
6) Click OK.
7) Finally, exit your WLM, and restart it back.

You may now Un-pin WLM from the taskbar if you want.

That's all thank you.

Credit: http://www.sevenforums.com

Impressed with its ending animation - Bakemonogatari.

I always watch the op/ed of anime I bought/downloaded although I always have the chance to move the slider where the main story is. I am fascinated by how those animators animate those keyframes and adjust even the smallest details to fit the song that comes along. You can see this in the following youtube video from the 'little' shakes, changing scenes, colour switching, changes in beats, etc etc. (Which is why, for those who care, when we watch anime together and I mention about not skipping op/ed, I meant it seriously)

So, I was watching Bakemonogatari recently when I came to their new ending song. While the song also become forum's topic of conversation, what I want to point here is its animation.

The drawing style that I would categorize as creepy beforehand are being animated in such way it feels cute. I am quite impressed.




the first 4 sec are a bit of the episode before the ending animation starts.

Song is Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari by supercell... that I can roughly translate as... 'story that you don't know'? something like that.

Watching OP/ED are very inspirational you know. Without noticing, you gain a lot of ideas when you are animating your own After Effect projects.

[p/s: I don't promote bands here, but I really like supercell's song because the way they use piano in their songs. That's all]
[p/s2: Studying linear algebra =D]
[p/s3: Waiting for K-On!! which will be aired on April 7th. Woot!!]

I am playing Left 4 Dead 2!

Hee. Last fall term, I decided to reward myself with L4D2 if I achieve my target for that term. It went okay. So, I plan to wait for the price to drop before I go to game store and buy it. It turns out that... since it was released last year, there is no drop for even one cent in it's price... *sigh.

So I made up my mind, and went to buy it last week. Yay!

Why now, when it is only weeks away for final exam? (I can sense that question filling up the atmosphere of my house, and I feel uneasy for it =.=...) It is my long-time strategy! This is to encourage myself to study a bit more. As a reward for studying that night, I will play this game. That's how it works.

Last semester, I did it with Resident Evil 5. Ahahaha! Remember my post about RE5? XD.

Why Left 4 Dead 2? For those who never heard of this game, I guess, it is worthy to explain first. L4D2 is brought to us by the same company that worked on Half Life and Counter Strike. Effectively, L4D2 is the result of merging those 2 popular games. I played L4D1 in commentary mode beforehand (commentary mode is a game mode where the game developer explains to you how they invented the game as you play the game), and I remember coming to one part in which they said, they originally play Counter Strike and beating each other with only knife. From there they find it would be interesting if they create a game with a team of players killing a horde of enemy with only melee weapons. Something like that.
Hence, Left 4 Dead, a game where you are teamed up with 3 other survivors, and still have to stay alive as you make your way to the place you will be rescued.


I have been loving it since L4D1 because there is no way you could win the game without team-work. That's the main thing. The concept of playing together and helping each other out is so clear.
Back in college, I used to play it with Faza, Lan, and Ezwan Sora. I remember how we were freaked out when the zombies had us separated in the game. Finally it was a big relief when at least one of us made it to the final rescue point.
*At the final map event, there is a feeling of "Go! Go! Save yourself. We will hold these zombies. Don't mind about us!!". Ahaha! *

Honestly, I planned to buy a 4-license game pack so that I can play with my current room mates. However, I don't want to bother them with their studies for now. Maybe after the final exam? =) I don't know if they are interested or not though :'(

You play as one of these four survivors in L4D1

... or these four in L4D2.

As for my L4D2 copy, I played a few times so far, and it is great!! I think people should conventionally divide multiplayer games into 2 main types, in which one requires co-op extensively, and the other don't. I believe L4D1 and 2 are the best co-op games of all!

Okay. Back to my work. =)