WLM 8.0 is the worst beta program I've tested. Buggy, used up
too many resources and was pushed out to users before it was
properly tested.
WLM 8.5 codes improved by a lot, it no longer uses much resources.
However, the installation method changed, and caused way too much
trouble. The installer will download the files from MS servers and
install it for you. If you have some blocker or other crap, it
won't install properly and troubleshooting is a headache.
WLM 9.0 does the same as well... and I think it just introduced one
of the worst security concepts. The installation went silently. If
not for some registry and file monitors, I couldn't track down what
the heck is the installer doing.
This version also phones home regularly... in order to update the
contact list in realtime. The change might have been caused by
users unable to find their contact list and a few others who wants
realtime updates of their contacts.
As a result of this change, signing in takes a bloody long time. I
waited for about 10 minutes to sign in. For the other versions, it
takes less than 5 minutes to be up even if on dial-up.
There are also some other new features like contact's signature
sounds... which can possibly lag the whole thing down and eats up
some bandwidth, animated GIFs as display picture, multiple devices
sign-ins.
By the way, encryption of contact list is no longer available since
the files are moved to the servers. If the server is hacked, good
luck. I would suggest everyone on the beta team to back up their
contact list in case the server goes down.
