So all my current Messenger contacts have to download not only an identity from AOL, but a program to use to talk to me? I don't think I'll be sending all my contacts a note to that effect; I'm not confident enough ANY of them will bother
No, only *you* have to download
Mercury, your PC friends can live in ignorance. They will see you as just a regular MSN contact, and you them, through Mercury. Your MSN contact list is kept on MSN servers, not on your computer.
This link might help you with your Bookmark importing. The file needs to be a .html file from your Windows version of Explorer in order to successfully import the bookmarks.
AppleMacster
[Edited for additional handy hints]