Manage updates with the Download AppYahoo Messenger
A newer version of Yahoo Messenger is available.
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Spectacular
Full user review
-
"Despite juvenile interface, some features are very worthwhile"
Pros
Overall, the program has a lot of features I really enjoyed:
-If you use Yahoo mail, messenger will alert you when you receive email.
-New IM windows can pop up on the taskbar rather than across your screen, which is nice for privacy reasons.
-You can share photos directly through the IM window.
-It lets you log all kinds of contact info for each person on your buddy list in an address book.
-You can send IMs to people who are offline, and they'll get them whenever they sign on next. I find this useful for spontaneously sending links to my friends who aren't online.
-No annoying ads on the buddy list window!
-All IM conversations can be saved in an archive, forever if you so choose.
-The buddy list has a calendar function where you can keep track of dates and events.
Cons
I don't use the PC-to-PC calling or the chat room functions, so I can't comment on those.
My biggest annoyance with YIM is the interface. It has a very childish feel, and is full of smiley faces. Although it's neat that YIM has so many different functions, for a person who doesn't use more than the IMing function, the windows and menus just seem very cluttered. I wish the interface was more customizable; you can remove some of the clutter, but not all of it.
Some other minor annoyances:
-After using functions that change the size of the IM window, it is sometimes difficult to resize the window back to your preference. I'm not sure why that happens.
-Changing the font/color mid-IM is not as easy to do as in AIM. (It just takes longer.)
-In the address book, everyone has miniscule buttons next to their names with options to call or IM them. Several times, I've called people by mistake.
-It doesn't notify you if a lost connection boots you off, and it doesn't automatically reconnect sometimes.
One last thing: I recommend customizing installation. That way, you can choose for Yahoo not to install extra things you might not want.
