Buzz
Numerous Yahoo users depend on Yahoo Messenger to chat with friends online.
Michael Gottschalk/AFP/Getty ImagesWithout services like Yahoo Messenger, teens would lose a crucial social communication tool, and others would lack a quick way to send and receive messages from both computers and mobile phones.
Though Yahoo Inc. wasn't the first to provide free instant messaging, it remains one of the internet's leading IM platforms. Launched in 1999, Yahoo Messenger boasts approximately 94 million users who connect with other Yahoo, Microsoft Windows Live Messenger, or Lotus Sametime users [sources: Time Warner and PC World].
Once you download the Yahoo Messenger software and sign in, you'll discover the service offers much more. You can access contacts and messages from any web browser, chat in 40 different languages, and share photos or large video files online.
Before diving deeper into Yahoo Messenger, let's first understand instant messaging. So, what exactly is it? Instant messaging lets you chat with others via your personal computer. You type a message, which then travels digitally over the Internet from your computer, through the provider's server, to the recipient's computer. Within seconds, the message appears in an IM window on the recipient's screen. They read it and send a reply. Small, separate IM windows let you chat with multiple people at once. To learn more about instant messaging, check out 'How Instant Messaging Works.'
When email isn't fast or convenient enough, people turn to instant messaging. Many teens use IM daily to chat with five or six friends at the same time, all while listening to music, doing homework, and talking on their cell phones.
IM isn't just for teens. It's a useful tool for business colleagues confirming details with road sales reps, friends coordinating times to chat, and mobile users staying in touch with the office or each other. By 2007, there were an estimated 461 million IM users worldwide, with that number expected to reach 711 million by 2011, according to Radicati Group, a research firm focused on messaging and collaboration technologies.
Next, let's take a look at how simple it is to get started with Yahoo Messenger.
Yahoo Messenger Basics
To get started with Yahoo Messenger, head over to the Yahoo website. You'll need to download the Yahoo Messenger software and sign up for an account before you can start using this free instant messaging service to chat with friends or colleagues. You'll also need to set up your messenger list. Here's how to do it:
- Visit Yahoo Messenger, and click 'download now' to get the software.
- Install the program on your computer, following the instructions for your operating system (Windows XP, Vista, Mac, or Unix).
- If you don’t have a Yahoo account, create a Yahoo ID. You'll need to provide details like your name, gender, country, ZIP code, and email address, along with your birthday (since Yahoo Messenger is not available to anyone under 13). Next, choose an ID for your IM name and set a password. Select a security question (such as the model of your first car or your pet’s name) to help you recover your password if needed. After agreeing to the terms of service and privacy policy, your account will be ready.
- You're now ready to sign in. Go to http://www.yahoo.com and click the smiling yellow Yahoo Messenger button at the top right of the page. On the sign-in screen, enter your Yahoo ID and password, and hit 'sign in.' If you’ve forgotten your ID or password, click on the link below the button, answer a few questions to verify your identity, and you’ll get your ID by email or can reset your password. To sign out, click 'sign out' at the top right.
- Once you're signed in, you'll see your messenger list on the left side of the screen. This is where you can add up to 300 friends, family members, coworkers, and others you want to chat with. To add someone, click 'Add' at the bottom of the list, then select 'Yahoo Contact' or 'Windows Live Contact.' Enter their Yahoo or Windows Live ID, and hit 'Enter.' They will receive an invitation to add you to their list. If they decline, their name won't appear. You can organize your contacts by creating groups by going to the Contacts menu, choosing 'Organize Messenger Group,' and clicking 'Create New Group.' Then, drag and drop contacts into your group.
- To check if your contacts are available, look at the icon next to their names. A yellow circle indicates they're online and available, while a blank circle means they’re not.
- You can update your own availability by changing the icon next to your ID. Besides 'available,' you can choose options like 'busy,' 'stepped out,' or 'on the phone,' or create your own custom message. By selecting 'invisible,' you can work or chat online while appearing offline.
Now that you’ve set up your account, signed in, and added contacts, let’s explore how to send and receive instant messages.
Using Yahoo Messenger
Learning to send and receive messages using Yahoo Messenger is easy. Yahoo provides a simple interface and helpful online guides for tips on message formatting, sending files, and other aspects of instant messaging. Let’s go over the basics of messaging itself.
Sending an Instant Message
To send a message to someone on your messenger list, click on their name or type part of their ID in the 'Find Contacts' search box. Select their name from the list, type your message in the space below the conversation window, and hit 'Send' or press Enter on your keyboard.
For contacts not on your list, simply enter their ID in the 'Find Contacts' box, press 'Enter,' and type your message as usual. However, you can only message them if they use Yahoo or Windows Live.
To send the same message to multiple people, hold down the Control key while clicking on the names of those you want to message in your list. Then, select 'Send an Instant Message' from the Actions menu and send your message as normal.
If you send a message to someone who is offline, it will be delivered as soon as they log back in.
Formatting a Message
Why settle for plain text when you can get creative? Yahoo Messenger gives you the ability to send messages in different fonts and colors. The pull-down menus below the conversation window let you customize the text and its appearance to your liking.
You can also include emoticons to highlight your message. These are text-based faces that convey emotions like happiness, sadness, or confusion. Simply place your cursor where you want the emoticon and click on one of the 25 options in the pull-down menu.
Receiving and Responding to Messages
When someone sends you a message, you’ll hear an alert sound. Type your reply as usual and click 'Send' or press 'Enter.' If you'd like to mute the alert, just click the speaker icon above the conversation window.
Sending a File or Photo
To share a document or photo, simply drag and drop it into the conversation window, even if the recipient is offline. The recipient will be prompted to either save or decline the file. Alternatively, you can click the Actions menu during a conversation and select 'Send a File.' Yahoo Messenger supports file transfers up to 1GB, or up to 2GB with version 9.0.
For sharing up to 300 photos, use the built-in photo-sharing feature. Yahoo Messenger will prompt you to start a session and invite the other person to join. Once accepted, the images will appear in a side panel for both participants to view.
Message Archiving
Yahoo Messenger enables you to save, store, and search your instant messages. These encrypted archives can only be accessed using your Yahoo ID on your own computer. To set up message archiving, follow these steps:
- Open the Messenger menu, navigate to "Preferences," and select "Archive."
- Choose your preferred message archiving option.
- Click "OK" to save your settings.
To access saved messages, go to the "Contacts" menu and select "Message Archive." Once your archive appears, choose the folder containing the conversation you want to review.
Discover additional features of Yahoo Messenger by proceeding to the next page.
Yahoo Messenger Features
Yahoo Messenger offers extras like IMVironments, allowing users to personalize the look and feel of their chat windows.
Image courtesy of YahooYahoo Messenger goes beyond basic instant messaging, offering features that enhance your experience. You can enable alerts for new messages or emails, customize your chat with IMVironments and avatars, safeguard your privacy, and even integrate webcam functionality. Here's a closer look at these features.
Notification Alerts
Alerts notify you when you receive an instant message, when contacts go online or offline, when new emails arrive, or when your calendar signals an upcoming event. Follow these steps to configure alerts:
- Open the Messenger menu, go to "Preferences," select "Alerts," and check "Enable Alert Sounds."
- Use the Event menu to choose when alerts should be triggered.
- Select the alert type for each event, either from preset sounds or by adding your own.
- Close the window to save your settings.
Privacy Settings
Enhance your privacy by utilizing stealth settings and blocking unwanted contacts. Stealth mode lets you stay invisible to some while remaining online for others. To enable it, right-click on a contact or group, select "Stealth Settings," and choose your preferred visibility status. If a contact’s name appears in italics, they see you as offline.
Stop unwanted messages by blocking specific contacts—up to 100 at a time. Once ignored, they will always perceive you as offline. Before blocking, remove the contact from your messenger list. Follow these steps to ignore someone.
- Open the Messenger menu, go to "Preferences," and select "Ignore List." Then, choose "Ignore only the people below."
- Click "Add" and type the Yahoo ID of the contact you want to ignore.
- Press "Ignore" and then "OK" to confirm.
- To unblock them later, enter their Yahoo ID and click "Remove."
Customization
Make Yahoo Messenger uniquely yours with avatars, audibles, and IMVironments—customizable themed chat backgrounds. Your avatar is a virtual character that you can design by modifying its look, outfits, accessories, and settings to serve as your personal messenger icon.
To design and personalize your avatar, visit http://avatars.yahoo.com/. Once you've created it, follow these instructions to display your avatar in instant messages and on your messenger list:
Open the Messenger menu, select "Preferences," and click on "Display Image." Check the Avatar box to show your avatar, and choose "Enable display images everywhere" to view pictures and avatars from your contacts.
Audibles are animated, talking characters that you can send in an IM to share a message or joke. To access them, click the lips icon beneath the conversation window. Then, click the Send button on the one you wish to share. For more options, click "More Audibles."
IMVironments (IMVs) are themed conversation windows you can choose. Whenever you chat, both you and your contacts will see the same IMV. For example, the Fishtank IMV shows animated swimming fish, and the Doodle IMV allows you and your contact to draw together. Other IMVs offer interactive games to play while you chat.
Webcams
With Yahoo Messenger's webcam feature, you can watch a contact’s live video feed or share your own. To view someone else’s webcam, simply click "Contact" in the IM window, then choose "Contact Options" followed by "View Webcam." If you want to broadcast your own, check Yahoo Messenger's Webcam Help section for setup details.
Yahoo Messenger provides additional tools to enhance your messaging experience—making communication not just easier but more enjoyable. Continue to the next page to explore these features.
Convenient Tools for Yahoo Messenger
Yahoo Messenger allows users to chat with built-in video capabilities, enhancing conversations with real-time visuals.
Image courtesy of YahooYahoo Messenger comes equipped with handy tools that streamline instant messaging. Features like keyboard shortcuts, voice chat, and parental controls ensure a faster, safer, and more efficient chatting experience. Read on to discover more.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Using keyboard shortcuts can make your Yahoo Messenger experience much quicker. For instance, pressing "Control + F" will help you find contacts in the messenger list instantly. You can also find the keyboard commands for other actions in the drop-down menus.
Flickr for Photos
In Yahoo Messenger 9.0, you can use Flickr to share photos directly within your IM. The images will appear in a thumbnail strip beneath the main photo. You can use the slider to cycle through the images or click the left arrow next to it to turn the photos into a slideshow, which you can enjoy with your contact.
Video and Map Preview
If you have a link to a video or a map, you can view it together with a friend in the Yahoo Messenger 9.0 conversation window. Simply paste the URL of the video or map into the message box, and it will appear in the conversation. To watch a video together, click "Watch with Me."
Yahoo Chat and Voice Chat
Yahoo Messenger allows you to chat via text or voice in Yahoo chat rooms. To join a chat room, click "Messenger," then "Yahoo Chat," and choose "Join a Room." Pick an alias, browse available rooms, and double-click the one you want to enter. Note that chat room participants must be at least 18 years old.
For voice chat, you'll need a Windows system with Internet Explorer, plus a microphone, sound card, and speakers. Once in a chat room, click on the voice icon. Hold down the green "Talk" button to speak, and release it when you're finished.
Plug-Ins
Plug-ins are small applications that integrate with Yahoo Messenger. Conversation plug-ins let you engage in activities like shopping, playing games, or checking flight schedules while chatting. Tab plug-ins provide real-time updates, such as reminders for calendar events or online auction statuses.
Tab plug-ins appear below the messenger list, and you can click "Add Plug-ins" to browse available options. Conversation plug-ins are located above the chat window. Click the Plug-ins button to access them. For more plug-ins, explore the Yahoo Gallery.
Parental Controls
Yahoo's parental controls help monitor and restrict children's online activities and communication. Parents can receive weekly reports detailing websites visited, emails sent and received, and IM conversations conducted on Yahoo Messenger.
The web filter can block entire categories of websites or specific pages. Parents can also limit email contacts to approved addresses, set online time restrictions, and access their child's account to review or update personal information.
To enable parental controls, you must create a Yahoo family account with sub-accounts for each family member. Additionally, a specific program needs to be installed on all household computers. Once your Yahoo account is set up, visit the Member Center and navigate to "Sub Accounts" for more details.
Yahoo advises young users to use an avatar instead of a real photo, adopt an alias, keep their online status invisible, and archive all IM chats. For parenting resources, online safety tips, and discussions with other parents, check out the Yahoo Messenger Safety Guide.
Now, let's explore how you can stay connected on Yahoo Messenger from anywhere, including through smartphones and PDAs.
New Innovations for Yahoo Messenger
Yahoo Messenger allows users to chat seamlessly even from their mobile devices.
© Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesYahoo Messenger innovations extend beyond your desktop, enabling you to access instant messaging services wherever you go. For instance, Yahoo Messenger for the Web lets you message directly from any browser when you're on the move. Additionally, it offers free PC-to-PC calls and mobile IM services.
Yahoo Messenger for the Web
With Yahoo Messenger for the Web, you can log in to message from any browser, gaining access to your contacts and message history. You can add new contacts, adjust your online status, and even search through your saved messages. However, you won't be able to alter these settings until you're back at your home computer. Also, features like file transfers, chat, voice, IMvironments, plug-ins, and audibles are not available on the web version.
To access Yahoo Messenger for the Web, visit Yahoo Messenger for the Web and sign in with your Yahoo ID and password. After logging in, you'll be greeted by the familiar interface, with your message list on the left. From there, you can send and receive messages just as you would on your desktop.
PC to PC Phone Calls
Calling someone from your computer is effortless, cost-free, and convenient with Yahoo Messenger. This feature utilizes VoIP technology, enabling global computer-to-computer calls. Both users must have Yahoo Messenger with Voice, a Windows system, a sound card, and either a microphone with speakers or a headset.
Ensure your microphone and speakers are properly configured before placing a call by selecting "Actions" followed by "Call Setup." To call a contact with a listed phone number, click their name, tap the phone icon, and select "Call (Person's) computer." You'll hear ringing, and once answered, the call will commence. To end the conversation, click "End Call."
If you're chatting via IM and need to make a call, just click the phone icon at the top of the conversation window. If the person you want to call isn't in your contact list, enter their computer phone number in the "Type a Yahoo ID" field above your messenger list.
Yahoo Mobile Messenger
Access Yahoo Messenger on your mobile device to stay connected on the go. Receive instant messages as text messages, manage your contact list, and update your online status from your cell phone, smartphone, or PDA.
To begin, register your mobile phone number by clicking "Forward" above your messenger window. Then, click on "Add a phone number" next to "Forward offline IMs to" and enter your number. From now on, your IMs will automatically be sent to your mobile when you sign out of Yahoo Messenger on your computer. A phone icon next to your name on your contacts' messenger lists will indicate that you're on mobile.
To send a text message from Yahoo Messenger to your mobile phone, go to the Actions menu and select "Send an SMS Message." Enter your contact's mobile number, type your message, and hit "Send." Alternatively, you can click the text message icon in the address book or select a contact in the messenger list and choose "Send an SMS Message."
