May 3, 2007 12:47 PM PDT

Yahoo Messenger is now Webware

Yahoo has launched a Web-based version of its instant messaging client, at webmessenger.yahoo.com (News.com story). It's a slick Flash-based app, and it's a comfortable messaging environment for people used to the downloadable app. The Web version doesn't give you access to all the bells and whistles of the app, such as access to the plug-ins and integrated voice chat, but it handles the basics well enough.

Like Google and AOL's Web-based instant messaging services, the big advantage is that Web-based chat apps don't require a download, so you can chat on locked-down corporate machines or on a computer you're renting from a kiosk or borrowing from a friend.

Yahoo's online Messenger is a solid and easy-to-use chat client.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

The Yahoo Web app has a history feature, and a search function on top of it, so you can find chat contents from previous discussions. However, it only archives chats from within the browser app, so if you switch between the downloaded app at home and the browser chat elsewhere, your history will be incomplete.

Although it's very simple to use and has an attractive interface, the online version of Messenger is not as flexible as the multi-IM Web app Meebo. Unless all your online buddies are on the Yahoo network and Microsoft's IM network, which Yahoo also supports, it's hard to recommend Yahoo's more limited offering. If you have a friend or two on Google or AOL, Meebo is what you really need.

I like this app well enough, but what I'm really waiting for is the global rollout of the integrated e-mail/chat app Yahoo promised us back in November.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 7 comments
Great for chating at school!
by doughboy_10466 May 3, 2007 1:54 PM PDT
Now I can chat at school! I'm in college and the internet is very locked down. We have a http block or something, which means that I can't use chat apps even on MY OWN COMPUTER!!! This is great because most of my chat buddies are on Yahoo. Mebo does sounds pretty cool though...
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Great for work
by myth90045 May 3, 2007 3:27 PM PDT
This is also great for work, where you are not allowed to d/l and install any type of program without admin rights. tried it this morning and it worked well. Im glad that yahoo followed in google's footsteps since I have more contacts in yahoo than on google!
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Yahoo messenger is it the best or just following
by rsegoly May 3, 2007 5:17 PM PDT
I used Yahoo messenger for many years, it was the best in market, but I started hating it as it became intrusive, too many ads, and whenever they upgraded the tool, the installation process (unless you are really careful) will add more tools like Yahoo toolbar and even change my browser configuration.
I use Meebo now, its Web based, it gives me access to all messengers (also Yahoo), its cool and solid, and it does what Yahoo is doing only now, and without the flashy ads.
It enable simple way to run, even if the work/school blocks the access, and gives you more than 'just Yahoo'
Enjoy .
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Meebo still owns this
by xxdesmusxx May 3, 2007 6:58 PM PDT
Meebo still owns this simply in terms of flexibility. Most people these days have friends spread across more than one IM network. Meebo is simple to use and works very well at doing what it is supposed to.
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If it would be Microsoft
by Fil0403 May 5, 2007 12:12 PM PDT
MSN / Windows Live Messenger has this for years. If it would be the other way around, this TalkBack section would be full of people bashing Microsoft. It just goes to show the hypocrisy of people.
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by Essays March 19, 2008 9:12 AM PDT
Great post. I recommend Peer Papers for researching. They have over 100,000 term papers and essays available on almost every subject.
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