Latest news with #MSNMessenger
The Age
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Edgy or offensive? How these early-2000s internet creators kept webcomics alive
It's an average day on the internet in 2005: your friends are changing their status on MSN Messenger, a new Salad Fingers episode has landed, and everyone is blogging. But look, something new – a comic strip about a stick-figure with alcoholism. What is this twisted, yet hilarious, creation? It is the work of Cyanide and Happiness (C&H), a US-based dark comedy webcomics group and one of the unofficial founders of meme culture. Originally developed by Kris Wilson, Rob DenBleyker, Dave McElfatrick and Matt Melvin, C&H comics have few boundaries – topics such as religion, abortion, murder, even necrophilia, all feature. Yet, despite their bleak and potentially offensive content, they were attracting over a million daily views by 2012. 'C&H has this shit-post kind of attitude; we've always been meme by nature. That was pretty new and rare [in 2005],' Wilson says. 'We're never intentionally trying to be edgy or offensive, but I think that's a big reason why C&H resonates with people. It's joking about everyone for the sake of it, making fun of everything.' Now, nearly two decades later, the internet has changed. Webcomics are arguably well past their peak, with short-form videos and influencer content dominating. But C&H is still releasing new comics every day and will be in Melbourne for Oz Comic-Con this month. 'We're constantly trying to reinvent the way we distribute our comics,' DenBleyker says. 'We try to adapt to the internet instead of fight against it. The majority of our audience doesn't even go to our website any more. They read our comics on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. As long as people are reading our comics, we're happy. It doesn't matter where.' Unlike many websites in the early 2000s, C&H was not precious. It allowed fans to share and remix its comics – which is what meme culture is all about.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Edgy or offensive? How these early-2000s internet creators kept webcomics alive
It's an average day on the internet in 2005: your friends are changing their status on MSN Messenger, a new Salad Fingers episode has landed, and everyone is blogging. But look, something new – a comic strip about a stick-figure with alcoholism. What is this twisted, yet hilarious, creation? It is the work of Cyanide and Happiness (C&H), a US-based dark comedy webcomics group and one of the unofficial founders of meme culture. Originally developed by Kris Wilson, Rob DenBleyker, Dave McElfatrick and Matt Melvin, C&H comics have few boundaries – topics such as religion, abortion, murder, even necrophilia, all feature. Yet, despite their bleak and potentially offensive content, they were attracting over a million daily views by 2012. 'C&H has this shit-post kind of attitude; we've always been meme by nature. That was pretty new and rare [in 2005],' Wilson says. 'We're never intentionally trying to be edgy or offensive, but I think that's a big reason why C&H resonates with people. It's joking about everyone for the sake of it, making fun of everything.' Now, nearly two decades later, the internet has changed. Webcomics are arguably well past their peak, with short-form videos and influencer content dominating. But C&H is still releasing new comics every day and will be in Melbourne for Oz Comic-Con this month. 'We're constantly trying to reinvent the way we distribute our comics,' DenBleyker says. 'We try to adapt to the internet instead of fight against it. The majority of our audience doesn't even go to our website any more. They read our comics on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. As long as people are reading our comics, we're happy. It doesn't matter where.' Unlike many websites in the early 2000s, C&H was not precious. It allowed fans to share and remix its comics – which is what meme culture is all about.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Charli xcx fans are only just learning the 'gnarly' story behind her name
Charli xcx has been a staple of British pop for years - but some fans are only just learning the meaning behind the name of the BRAT superstar Long before "Brat summer" took over the 2024 music scene, Charli xcx was steadily climbing to fame. Yet, it appears that her fans are only now discovering the unique origin of her stage name. Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known in the pop world as Charli xcx, grabbed headlines in June 2024 upon releasing her sixth studio album BRAT. The album's striking style, unstoppable vigour and a viral promotional campaign catapulted her into public consciousness, significantly amplifying her listener base. She first gained recognition with her 2014 hit Boom Clap and then maintained momentum with the bold single Boys in 2017, which quickly became a mainstay on playlists. Charli also supported Taylor Swift during the 2018 international Reputation stadium tour, occasionally joining the megastar for performances of Shake It Off. Despite her growing body of work and numerous notable gigs, many remain unaware of the backstory to Charli xcx's moniker. A nostalgic trip down memory lane uncovers the truth behind her name. In a 2015 interaction on On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Charli told Tanya Rad that her celebrated alias originated from her early MSN Messenger nickname, reports Surrey Live. "XCX was my MSN screen name when I was younger, which was really gnarly of me, I guess," she said. "It stood for kiss Charli kiss. "When I first started playing my first shows, the promoter was like, 'What should I put on the flyer?' I was like 14 or 15, and I was like 'Uh, just put Charli xcx!' And it just kind of stuck from there." She brought up her stage name again at the 2015 Grammy Awards, quipping on the red carpet: "Gotta stick with it... I'm not gonna pull a Prince," giving a playful nod to the iconic musician's well-known switch to an unpronounceable symbol. Years on, Charli xcx has etched her name into British pop history. Hailing from Cambridge and growing up in Essex, she has emerged as one of the UK's most innovative artists, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success. Last year, her album BRAT received widespread praise, bagging multiple honours, including Album of the Year at the 2025 BRIT Awards, Artist of the Year, Best Dance Act, Song of the Year for Guess (featuring Billie Eilish), and Songwriter of the Year. Additionally, she took home Grammys for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package.
Metro
04-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Users of iconic call app have hours left to save data ahead of its closure
Skype, the video calling app used by millions, is nearing the end of its road as its closure looms next week. The iconic live messaging and video calling service will be closed down for good within hours, with users warned to take steps to keep hold of their chat history. The Microsoft app launched almost 22 years ago, but now the tech giant has decided to call it a day, with users given the option to switch to Teams. Skype, which was used by around 300 million people, will disappear on Monday, May 5, after the announcement in February to hang up the service. Fans of Skype have the option to continue using their familiar login details on Microsoft Teams, which launched in 2017. Doing so will automatically transfer all contacts and chats. If you want to save any memorable Skype chat moments but don't want to switch to Teams, now is your chance to save it all before the plug is pulled on the service. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to save your Skype chat history and files. Sign in to the Export page with the account details Select the option to download Conversations or Files or both, which includes Skype and SMS messages and pictures Click on Submit request and select Continue when it appears You will have to return to the export page to check on the export status, which will appear under Available Exports A link to download the files will eventually appear when they are available Then click on the Download button to save your files The downloaded Skype messages and files will be delivered in a .tar file, so you might have to get an additional application to open them. Users can sign in to Skype and download chat history until January 2026. Meanwhile, Skype for Business service will continue running as usual for the time being. More Trending Skype said in a post on X: 'Skype is retiring in May 2025, and we want to make sure you have enough time to make a decision. If you see your friends already using Microsoft Teams Free it's a good time to give it a go. You can also export your data if you do not wish to make the move.' One user reminisced on X: 'I recall when I transitioned from MSN Messenger to Skype. Today I'm switching from Skype to Teams. RIP Skype.' Another fan posted on Reddit: 'Goodbye, Skype. I'll never forget you.' Jeff Teper, Microsoft's president on collaborative apps and platforms, said in a blog post previously: 'Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey. ' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: GTA 6 and price rises are going to destroy gaming forever – Reader's Feature MORE: PS5 Pro cheaper than Xbox Series X in US as fans ridicule 'Trashbox' MORE: Microsoft is now the top publisher on both PlayStation and Xbox stores
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Huge chat app is closing down after 22 years TOMORROW as users cry ‘you will be missed' – save data now before it's lost
A LONG-RUNNING messaging app is retiring next week and users will need to save their chat data before it's lost forever. The platform's closure was first announced in February but the end is now mere hours off, with major changes coming on Monday (May 5). 2 Skype was launched back in 2003 and has been a big name in the world of chat and messaging. At its peak, the service had more than 300million active monthly users. But its popularity has waned in recent years, dropping to around 23million in 2020. Microsoft - who bought the app in 2011 - have pumped much of their focus on its other messaging platform, Microsoft Teams. Skype users have been told they have the option to move to Microsoft Teams Free instead with "many of the same core features". Those who wish to move across can sign into the Microsoft Teams Free app with their Skype login details - and all their contacts and chats will be automatically transferred over. Alternatively, users can download their precious chat data. But failure to do either before January 2026 and it will be permanently deleted. "If you take no action, your Skype data will be deleted January 2026," Microsoft said. So it's worthwhile downloading any data or transferring across now before you forgot and data is lost. Early Skype ads reveal the 'magic' of app as Microsoft vows to shut it down forever "Skype you ran multiple businesses, dished me breakups, kept me in touch with thousands of poeple" one user wrote on Reddit in response to the announcement of Skype's closure earlier this year. "You will be missed." But others were less mournful saying, "good riddance". However, one small part of Skype will live on. Skype for Business will continue for now - though it's likely Microsoft will try to move those to Teams too in the future. Skype is the latest victim in a long-line of old school chat apps to bid farewell. Many will remember the glory days of the MSN Messenger - which Microsoft ironically closed in 2013, replacing it with Skype. But there were many others that are no longer around today. AIM was AOL's hugely popular messaging application on PC in the late 90s, before being discontinued in 2017. Even during the age of mobiles we had BBM on BlackBerrys, which is no longer with us either.
