Yahoo! Messenger is a fully featured online communications tool. Its setup integrates Yahoo! Toolbar with anti-spy and pop-up blocker, Yahoo! browser services - quick access to Yahoo! Messenger and Sign In to Yahoo! Mail from Internet Explorer.
With Yahoo! Messenger you can send instant messages, call computers, call a phone number, send a mobile message or send an e-mail. You can edit your status display and picture or create your own avatar. You can share your webcam or see your friends' webcams. You can send files and send messages to your friends regardless of their online/offline status, and you can log on using the "invisible" status, so that nobody would notice you are around.
During instant messages you have the possibility to customize fonts, send emoticons, audibles, IMVironments in order to have a great time while chatting with your friends. The Inside Yahoo! feature provides quick links to news, finance, personals, movies horoscopes, Yahoo! inbox etc. You will also get notifications of new emails or voice messages.
In version 8, the "Content Tabs" in the "Preferences" menu has been removed, and now "Yahoo! Plug-ins are available". So far you can install up to eleven plug-ins: Yahoo! Music LAUNCHcast, Answers, 360, eBay, iTunes, Amazon.com, etc. and stay up to date with new music, movies, sports scores and more.
Pluses: On first run, Yahoo! Messenger will look in Yahoo! Address Book and Microsoft Outlook for new contacts or for people who are using Messenger, but are not in your list of contacts, in order to complete your list of contacts.
The good news: You can now add to your contact list Windows Live Messenger users. After installing Yahoo! Messenger, simply click on the link "IM with Windows Live (MSN) Messenger", follow the instructions and you can chat with Windows Live Messenger users.
LAUNCHcast radio with lots of online radio stations to choose from and you can select a favourite radio station as "My Station"; Yahoo! games - you can play Chess, Pool or Word racer while talking to your friends; Yahoo 360 blogging community- a way to keep connected with friends and family with blogs, pictures and more; Calender, Weather, Stocks, news.
All menu buttons and the skins are customizable, subject to change according to your preferences.
Drawbacks / flaws: Since integration with Windows Live Messenger is still in beta phase, errors may occur when adding MSN contacts.
In conclusion: One of the best online communication tools. Download now and explore its full potential!
