Thanks for asking about MSN Premium, still annoyed with his answer. MSN Premium is just left for dead. it seems the better value is Hotmail Plus. On your next interview, can you get more MSN Premium questions in? Such as When is the next update? And what is the future of the product? Thanks

Like Geonosis said, thank you so much for asking about MSN Premium. And like Geonosis stated, again, Mr. Shahine's wonderful answer to the question is as clear as saying, "HA! We got ya...you are paying for MSN Premium...but you'll never get anything out of it! Heck, we'll even give free users more features and a promising future. By the way, what was your credit card number, your membership fee is coming up?"

There needs to be massive awareness brought to this whole MSN Premium ordeal, because as much as Microsoft is trying to convince me to cancel my MSN Premium account, for too long I have had my @msn.com email address and changing now will be too hectic.

Alber1690, thanks and same here. My @msn.com is bound to the account and it would be a hassle. I called to express unhappiness and was "awarded" three free months for the inconvenience. I'd hate to be the guy to start a nasty MSNPremiumSux.com site and blog to expose these perpetual problems. Something needs to be done, we don't even have an MSN/Windows Live Premium team blog or any way to contact them.

If you call MSNP, you get outsourced reps in Canada who have no idea what Windows Live is. And refer you to tech support, located in India who only deal with problems. Ask about an update? They are very confused.

I know we're not alone, I had around 20 people PM me about this issue and know of others from previous blog entries. Something needs to be done, or simply announce the end of the service. It's dying!

Oh yeah, we don't even have the newer UI and experience. And not even 10GB email accounts, still stuck at 5GB which are for free accounts.

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What did he say about IMAP?

Btw, the site is broken viewing with Opera.

Thanks.

I'd like to follow up on the MSN Premium stuff, but like you say its impossible to find anybody who actually knows what is going on. I'll keep on trying though!

Drazick thanks for letting us know, we'll try and get it looked into.

@Geonosis: Whoa...how in the world did you even get 5GB? I'm still stuck at 2GB! But what's annoying the most are those email reminders that we get in our MSN Premium inbox about how they plan to update our email accounts very soon...when really it doesn't apply to us.

@Chris: Thanks for all of the efforts, but I think it's time to call up Joanne Bradford for this one...lol.

Why did you even get MSN Premium in the 1st place?

@Quickboy: Well, before, we actually had a lot of perks and membership pluses, but now they have simply become outdated. The only good thing that is making me stay with them for right now is the free McAfee suite we get every year. Among other things that have now become extremely outdated are MSN Explorer, 2GB storage, My MSN, Calendar,  Parental Controls, and no ads across certain Microsoft sites. But, I think I have a reason for why they have abandoned MSN Premium and I'll write about that soon; it has to do with Vista and other MS technologies.

@Chris: Thank you, and yes please do what you can. Much appreciated!

@Alber1690: all accounts are being upgraded to 5GB, your bay/server probably hasn't updated yet but it will soon. Ideally we should be on the same bay as the Plus accounts, meaning 10GB and new enhancements.

You're absolutely correct on the constant promissory emails about updates and enhancements that never take place.

@quickboy: For several reasons, @msn.com emails versus the crowded @hotmail.com domain, MSN Explorer, 25GB email accounts (back when everyone else was at 10MB), no ads across several MSN sites, no expiry date, McAfee ($80 annual value), SpySweeper ($40 annual value), MSN Encarta Premium ($30 annual value), WL Spaces Premium extras, 9 additional email accounts with extra storage, features, no ads, no expiry, and more. I can't think why else, I have been a user since 2001. Up until Windows Live, MSN Premium was the best value and service. Oh and I have a great rate that was grandfathered too ;)

@Alber1690: When you can, I am curious to read your insight on the matter.

@anyone: MSN Premium 'died' a year ago at least, maybe more.  It was completely outdated ever since IE7 arrived.  One day, I could no longer justifty paying so much for MSN Premium when I could get similar services for free elsewhere.

Important thing worth noting: if you leave MSN Premium, your @msn.com email address is still valid and is not tied to MSN Premium as such.  A few years later, just a regular Hotmail user, and I still have my @msn.com account.

Thoughts, opinions relating to this is much appreciated

@LosHavros: I guess I keep holding out that eventually MSN Premium will morph into Windows Live Premium, the rates will go up and it will offer a myriad new exclusive extras and features. I don't want to renounce my low rate but this is likely to be my final year with the service. Unless things change of course. Someone at MS needs to step up to the plate and define a future for this dying product. Consumer agencies will have a field day with paying customers, receiving no updates and a lackluster buggy Vista experience with the MSN software.

@Geonosis: Amen to everything you've said! I couldn't agree more...

@Geonosis: I hoped MS would have done a Windows Live Premium service as well.  'If' they do, I of course would consider joining back up again.  Yet for now, it doesn't seem like it's happening.

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We spent the day today (Jan 13) on campus, talking to some of the people who have helped to bring you