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Selecting an Instant Messenger

Instant messaging allows you to quickly exchange messages with your online friends. Unlike email, instant messages appear as soon as they're sent. Let's say you've just installed the newest version of ICQ. Wondering why you can't send a message to your friend on AOL? It should work, right? Nope. With all the different IM's (Instant Messengers) to choose from, how do you know what will work and what won't? We've summed up the benefits of each of the most popular IM's available today. Keep in mind, most of these programs require the person you chat with to use the same program.

AOL Instant Messenger (http://www.aim.com) This is one of the two largest distributed programs. The big key to this IM is that you DO NOT have to be an AOL customer to use the product. AOL's IM (commonly referred to as AIM) can be used with any Internet connection. With a simple interface, AOL is a popular choice among teenagers. However, the ability to communicate with AOL-ONLY users has broadened this age range to include almost everyone. AOL offers voice communication that allows you to speak with other users. Double clicking on a name in your "buddy list" and then typing the text to read sends the message to your "buddy". AOL's chat window remains open, making it somewhat similar to an IRC program. AOL instant Messenger only allows messages to other AIM users. AIM is available for both Windows and Macintosh users; most features are available on both versions.

ICQ (I SEEK YOU) (http://www.icq.com) This is another of the two big contenders for the IM crown. According to statistics posted on their web page, ICQ, Inc. claims over 72 million users. ICQ, now owned by AOL, has the same general usage, but offers neat extras built into the program for Windows users. Customizable skins, pop-up reminders, and built in search features are just a few extras. Other options include viewable history files, to-do lists, and a built in email checker. With ICQ, you can only communicate with other ICQ users. While ICQ is available for both Macintosh and Windows, the Mac version is somewhat behind the Windows version.

Yahoo! Messenger (http://messenger.yahoo.com) A Favorite for those who have personalized their own Yahoo page (http://my.yahoo.com). Yahoo messenger now offers voice chat in their newest release, while maintaining a similar look of AOL. Special features include: no contact list to backup (its stored with Yahoo), little memory usage, alerts for your stock quotes, Yahoo! Mail messages, and calendar appointments. These features all require you to have a personalized Yahoo! Page. With Yahoo! Messenger, you can only message other Yahoo! users. Yahoo! Messenger is available for both Windows and Macintosh users.

MSN messenger (http://messenger.msn.com) A bit behind in development, MSN Messenger doesn't have all the fancy features of other IM's, but does offer Microsoft's kid passport system that requires parental interaction to allow children to use the program. It also gives alerts when you receive new mail on your Hotmail account.

Odigo (http://www.odigo.com) Odigo is the newcomer on the "instant messenger block". Odigo allows you to communicate with anyone. You can send messages to your AIM "buddies", ICQ contacts, and friends on Yahoo! Messenger, as well as other Odigo users. Odigo is still in constant development, which means it doesn't have all the features you'd expect. Odigo has a very refined graphical look, making it a perfect edition to almost any desktop. Odigo even matches your preferences with others, to automatically give you people to chat with. Odigo is definitely one to be on the watch for.