Seriously though, I totally get what you're saying, and would prefer it if Mr.Gates didn't have such a stranglehold on things, but your average computer user doesn't see it as cramming it down our throats. They see it as a handy all-in-one package. They go to their computer superstore, buy what the salesman tells them to buy, takes it home, turns it on, and away they go. Your average user does not know how to download and install alternatives, etc, so Bill Gates is doing them a favour. For example, if Windows didn't come with IE, my Mum would not use the internet (unless I came round and fixed up her computer. I have all kinds of alternative programmes and exotic software on my computer that would baffle most users, as I'm sure do you.
Anyway, like I said, I like MSN Messenger. It looks good and works well. Of all the ones I've tried (When I first came online years ago I was an ICQ user - I can still remember that irritating sound it made when you got a new message) MSN is my favourite.