Yahoo! Messenger is a popular instant messaging client and protocol provided by Yahoo!. Yahoo! Messenger is provided free of charge and can be downloaded and used with a generic "Yahoo! ID" which also allows access to other Yahoo! services, such as Yahoo! Mail, where users can be automatically notified when they receive new email.

In addition to instant messaging features similar to those offered by ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger, it also offers some unique features such as: IMVironments (customizing the look of Instant Message windows) and Custom Status Messages. Another recently added feature is customized Avatars

Current versions

• 6.0 on Microsoft Windows (Winner of the CNET Editor's Choice Award for best IM product)
• 2.5.3 on Mac OS X and Mac OS 9
• 1.0.4 on Linux and BSD

See also

• List of instant messengers
• Comparison of instant messengers

External links

• Yahoo! Messenger
• Yahoo! Messenger Plus, free plugin project