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MSN

MSN (The Microsoft Network) is a collection of Internet services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1994, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.
The range of services offered by MSN has changed significantly since its initial release in 1995. MSN was once a simple online service for Windows 95, an ambitious experiment at interactive multimedia content on the Internet that was ahead of its time, and one of the most popular dial-up Internet service providers.
The concept for MSN was created by the Advanced Technology Group at Microsoft, headed by Nathan Myhrvold. MSN was originally conceived as a dial-up online content provider like America Online, supplying proprietary content through an artificial folder-like interface integrated into Windows 95's Windows Explorer file management program.
Then officially known as "The Microsoft Network," the service launched along with Windows 95 on August 24, 1995. MSN was included with Windows 95 installations and promoted through Windows and other Microsoft software released at the time. Product support and discussion was offered through the MSN service, as well as information such as news and weather, basic e-mail capabilities, chat rooms, and message boards similar to newsgroups.
Open access to the World Wide Web was not originally included in the classic MSN service, but Internet access was quickly offered through Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser, which was available as a download from the MSN service or as part of the Windows 95 Plus! package.