MSN Mess

I can't stand MSN Messenger. I know there are alternatives, but they don't have all the features that MSN does. Up until the latest version it worked semi-OK. But this latest edition of bloatware is really doing a number on my system. I cannot connect on first attempt - ever. When there's a connection fault it takes my whole Internet connection down. It's getting real annoying and I don't know if I'm alone on this or I just got a corrupt copy of the software. Anyone?

Note the witty re-write of the About graphic.....