everything is bloated nowadays
People have been saying this since 1990. Try something more original next time, like "[product name] sucks major ass"
Dont get used to any extra perks with MSN, they put them on for free and then start charging for it after 6 month - a year, remember free phone calls through messenger a few years back, now they charge for it!
Microsoft doesn't charge a dime. In fact, they paid for your free long distance calls via Messenger with an international company known as Net2Phone during those early days...and
Net2Phone (among multiple other VOIP phone providers) are the people who charge you money. As far as I know, Microsoft doesn't make a dime off your long distance today. They simply decided not to give you that particular free lunch anymore...
Is there something else out there like Netmeeting that doesn't use a central server at all?
Most H.323 programs want you to use a server to connect so that you can pay them money. Also, be sure you have properly set your connection speed with NetMeeting (Tools-Options->General->Bandwidth Setting), as well as adusting the speed/quality (Tools->Options->Video)
Ah, this is an MSN 6.0 beta feature
And judging from this reply, I assume you believe that when Gold RTWs on the 17th, they're gonna suddenly and inexplicitly rip out this feature?