Did everybody using MSN Messenging have to update their email to use the Windows Live Messenger - or just the people who didn't already have a Hotmail account?
I think only the people who don't have a Microsoft-related E-mail address. I use an old hotmail account fro MSN/Live messenger, so I wouldn't know really...
Is Microsoft using the Windows Live Messenger change to create another way to lock users into using MS products?
Yes. Or at least, most likely, I'm not sure. It does sound like M$ policy though :-)
Why the hell did they send me messages in French??
Because French sounds sexy and they want to seduce you?
