Yahoo’s latest beta of its messenger program literally kicks MSN Messengers out of the window for me. It has everything that MSN Messenger has to offer and more. MSN has funky skins? Yahoo has them now. MSN has user pictures? Yahoo has them now. MSN does animated smilies? Yahoo has been doing them since ages as far as I know. And what Yahoo Messenger has that MSN Messenger does not? Offline messages, chatrooms ( MSN no longer has free chatrooms), custom status messages and so on.
Heck, MSN Messenger doesn’t even allow you to have archives of the conversations for too long. Sometime back it told me to start a new archive file for a friend whom I talked pretty regularly. Apparently the size of the original XML was becoming too big for comfort for MSN. Yahoo! on the other hand has kept archives for me since almost a year with no apparent problems. Yahoo has a version for Linux (minimal compared to Windows version), MSN Messenger does not. This list can go on and on and on.
The new version adds more such exclusive features to Yahoo Messenger. They have introduced stealth mode. This enable you to decide who on your messenger list can see you and who cannot. Totally awesome. So they removed one of the shortcomings in my opinion. As MSN Messenger let you block a particular user even without removing him from your buddy list, Yahoo did not. Now you don’t have to block anyone (so you don’t miss any offline messages), you just disappear under the stealth mode.
The new skins though feel blah at first look but grow on you. I am pretty sure I will revert back to the original windows skin in 2-3 days or better return back to Gaim. But it sure make the messenger look hip for people who don’t know how to apply custom themes in there windows environment (especially Windows XP).
They have added new smilies (I am waiting for the new hidden ones!) and animated quiet a few old ones. Yahoo Messenger’s smilies have always been my favorite and new ones are damn pretty too! Animated smilies just make you smile when you first have a look at them.
I totally recommend giving the new beta a go. Though the only disadvantages I found in the latest beta are; it’s a beta! The new skins can be sluggish on slow computers and apparently they have removed shortcut menu to your favorite chatrooms. I can live with that!
For search engine buffs: Messenger window now has a search button that lets you search Yahoo! search engine from a popup window. Also, another interesting feature is that you can select any word in the chat window and search for it on Yahoo! search engine from the context menu. Just select the word you want to search for while chatting or messaging, right click it, then select “Search the web for ____________.” Pretty impressive.
Download: Yahoo Messenger Website
Sushubh Mittal is the Tech Columnist at Search Engine Journal and also the publisher of TechWhack, an upcoming Blog Portal on technology.
Comments
31 responses so far ↓
bahar on Apr 27, 2004 at 11:38 am
hi how are u i want to chat in masn ok
byeeeeeeee
Kerbox on Apr 28, 2004 at 8:04 pm
You can chat in MASN all you want (never heard of that one) but I will stick with Yahoo IM, it keeps on getting better all the time.
Sushubh on Apr 29, 2004 at 9:52 am
What is MASN?
MASSIMO59 on May 4, 2004 at 3:06 pm
IS VERY IMPORTANT
Andy on May 6, 2004 at 11:08 pm
Looking for the new hidden emoticons? They’re here: http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/mesg/beta/general/general-20.html
Mujahid on May 21, 2004 at 12:20 pm
i really really love yahoo messenger,but i am unable to download yahoo messenger 6 through the given installer, tried it a million times but the error continues(error 26 some sort of network error), i got a really slow internet connection, so could you plz send me the entire setup in this address mintfar123@myrealbox.com or tell me where to download the entire setup through a download accelerator. plz i beg you to help me!!!!
Rachel on May 25, 2004 at 12:10 am
I want yahoo skins for the new version but haveing trouble getting them please help me.
Pradeep on Jun 5, 2004 at 12:55 am
Hey, you can download from http://www.softpedia.com/public/scripts/downloadhero/10-4-1-6/
however it will redirect to yahoo server but still it will do th job as u want
Pradeep on Jun 5, 2004 at 1:09 am
Hey, you can download from http://www.softpedia.com/public/scripts/downloadhero/10-4-1-6/
however it will redirect to yahoo server but still it will do th job as u want
Sophie on Jun 5, 2004 at 10:39 am
I actually prefer Yahoo 5.6 - Is there a way I can keep it?
Yuvan on Jun 9, 2004 at 10:29 pm
Sophie: You can keep the Yahoo Messenger 5.6 ‘look’ while still using version 6, by firstly switching to the classic skin… which will make the interface a bit speedier. You can also try this tool to restore the look of Yahoo 5.6: http://www.elite-mind.net/dls/ytools/res_msgr.zip#dl
I have not tried it out yet but their description says it should do the needful.
Tyson on Jun 20, 2004 at 4:40 pm
I like yahoo messenger but i was wondering when they will get new skins for holidays or sports if yall know about new skins please email me telling me where i can get them that would be AWESOME!!!!!! thanks yall bye
siamak on Jun 21, 2004 at 10:02 am
just beta
Sushubh on Jun 21, 2004 at 10:13 am
its final now and fixes many issues i had :)
nelg on Jun 29, 2004 at 6:17 pm
the real new hidden emoticons http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/messenger/win/im/im-13.html
jamiu toriola on Jul 1, 2004 at 1:30 pm
what i gat to say is that your new design is sign of good things to happen to ur organisation. i really enjoy the new dimension of your group. keep up the good job. thanks
raziq on Jul 1, 2004 at 2:49 pm
i want to download new version of yahoo massanger
marika on Jul 8, 2004 at 7:37 pm
um…jack confused!
Mary on Jul 12, 2004 at 12:42 pm
HEY WHERE CAN I FIND YAHOO MESSENGER 6 SKINS??????????/
sweetjenna55 on Jul 12, 2004 at 4:51 pm
I cannot log in with the new beta version, but never had problems with the old one. what is going on?
venu on Jul 15, 2004 at 7:35 am
i am sifty
reymysteriochica on Aug 3, 2004 at 3:01 pm
Does anyone know where you can find Yahoo messenger skins for the 6.0 version.
Toe Bee on Oct 21, 2004 at 5:34 pm
If anyone is looking for yahoo messenger 6.0 skins try my site. http://clik.to/toebeeskins
If you don’t find one you like make a request. I also have a tutorial to teach you how to make your own skins.
Queenofspadez on Nov 12, 2004 at 7:00 am
Yahoo Messenger 6.0 skins… www.geocities.com/queeeenofspadez/Skins.html
viagra on Jan 15, 2005 at 7:39 pm
This is a very beautiful website, I have enjoyed my visit here very much. I’m very honoured to sign in your guestbook. Thanking you for the great work that you are doing here.
viagra on Jan 16, 2005 at 10:38 am
Nice site, I have bookmarked your site yet and I will come back again ! You have a gratest site!
TERESINA on Aug 22, 2005 at 9:39 am
Line and paragraph breaks autmatic,e mail address never displayer,HTML allowed:
Nancy Weisbard on Dec 3, 2005 at 11:02 am
thanks for the invite!!
xyu on Apr 26, 2006 at 3:04 pm
xyu
Vue on May 11, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Hi, and that all of you today all such not talkative?
Marcela on Jun 10, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Muy beuno
Leave a Comment