Windows Live Messenger for Children, Media Center Sports Channel for Adults
If you have a small child and want to ensure his online chatting related activities stay as safe as possible, then Microsoft has the solution for you: Windows Live Messenger for Kids. That’s all very nice for the kiddies, but how does the Redmond software developer keep us adults entertained? By simply providing a sports channel in Windows Media Center.
Windows Live Messenger for Children has been specifically designed to be used by children ages 8 to 10. Unlike a regular windows Live Messenger version, the child does not get to log in by himself and simply chat away. The parents set up an account, they control when said account is accessed and they also control which contacts will be displayed in the contacts list. All conversations are limited to text and emoticons – no files and no pictures can be shared or visualized.
If at any time the child feels threatened, all he has to do is push the emergency cal button which will inform the parent(s) that their child needs assistance. It all sounds pretty good from a security point of view, but there is one catch – the IM (instant messaging) software is only available in German for the time being.
Adults need to be entertained too, and that is why Microsoft has enhanced the Windows Media Center by fitting it with a Sports Channel. Windows Communications Manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, Brandon LeBlanc explains: “Sports Channel offers a variety of sports content from great sources CBSSports.com, Fox Sports, MSNBC.com and more. Content flowing through Sports Channel ranges from breaking sports news to interviews of your favorite players to the ability to track your fantasy sports teams. Sports Channel is a great example of our continued investment in providing new and easier ways for people to find and access compelling content through Windows Media Center.”
Waiting for the catch? Well, here it is: the sport’s channel is only available for Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate users, and for the time being it is only available in the US of A (just like Google Earthquakes ).
If you would like to get Windows Live Messenger for Children, a download location is available here.
Windows Live Messenger for Children has been specifically designed to be used by children ages 8 to 10. Unlike a regular windows Live Messenger version, the child does not get to log in by himself and simply chat away. The parents set up an account, they control when said account is accessed and they also control which contacts will be displayed in the contacts list. All conversations are limited to text and emoticons – no files and no pictures can be shared or visualized.
If at any time the child feels threatened, all he has to do is push the emergency cal button which will inform the parent(s) that their child needs assistance. It all sounds pretty good from a security point of view, but there is one catch – the IM (instant messaging) software is only available in German for the time being.
Adults need to be entertained too, and that is why Microsoft has enhanced the Windows Media Center by fitting it with a Sports Channel. Windows Communications Manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, Brandon LeBlanc explains: “Sports Channel offers a variety of sports content from great sources CBSSports.com, Fox Sports, MSNBC.com and more. Content flowing through Sports Channel ranges from breaking sports news to interviews of your favorite players to the ability to track your fantasy sports teams. Sports Channel is a great example of our continued investment in providing new and easier ways for people to find and access compelling content through Windows Media Center.”
Waiting for the catch? Well, here it is: the sport’s channel is only available for Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate users, and for the time being it is only available in the US of A (just like Google Earthquakes ).
If you would like to get Windows Live Messenger for Children, a download location is available here.
