Interesting Facts / History on MSN

1. MSN Messenger is a freeware instant messaging client that was developed and distributed by Microsoft in 1999 to 2005 and in 2007 for computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system.
2. It was renamed Windows Live Messenger in February 2006 as part of Microsoft's Windows Live series of online services and software.
3. The concept for MSN was created by the Advanced Technology Group at Microsoft, headed by Nathan Myhrovold.
4. In 1996, in response to the increasing relevancy and rapid growth of the Internet, Microsoft renamed its existing MSN service to 'MSN Classic' and created a new version, called 'MSN 2.0'. However, 'MSN 2.0' service was not as successful as Microsoft initially hoped, hence, 'MSN 2.5' was then released in 1997.
5. With the MSN Internet Access 2.6 release in 1998, the MSN Program Viewer was abandoned entirely in favor of the more familiar Internet Explorer. Another new version of this service , MSN Internet Access 5.0, was released along with Internet Explorer 5.0 in 1999. MSN 5.0 was largely identical to MSN 2.6.
6. MSN's Internet portal, MSN.com, is currently the 9th most visited domain name on the Internet
7. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995.

        Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN#Referances