[link|http://www.eweek.com/article/0,3658,s=701&a=23103,00.asp|There seems to be a pattern here]

Excerpt:

Dropped instant messaging connections, loss of voice-over IP capabilities, spotty delivery of .Net Alerts services\ufffdall are problems users are having with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Messenger real-time communications platform.

Many users are pointing a finger of blame at the company's .Net application delivery framework.

Windows Messenger supports instant messaging, video and audio conferencing, and PC telephony. Like just about every other Microsoft product today, it runs on .Net Web services delivery architecture.

Messenger became integrated with the Redmond, Wash., developers' desktop operating system for the first time with the release last October of Windows XP. Users' problems began shortly thereafter.

I say:

Marketing is not Truth. Or even truth. This software just flunked a reality test. It's crap, man.

But how do we know it's .NET's fault? And what about 4.5?