Instant messengers or IM's are generally free down loadable programs that enable you to communicate via text (typing), voice, video (webcam) or even a combination of all three. All the major and most popular instant messenger programs, are sponsored by advertising.
By downloading an instant messenger chat program and connecting a microphone and webcam to your computer it is possible to both see and hear each other no matter where in the world you both are located. This makes for an extremely useful means of communicating with friends and family both near and far, especially when it costs you nothing more than your standard Internet connection. Thats right IM's are free and will even work over a dial up Internet connection, though cable offers slightly superior quality in terms of video speed.
Listed below we have summarized the major Instant Messenger Chat services available online.
Yahoo Messenger - Yahoo! Messenger is an advertisement supported instant messaging client (IM) provided by Yahoo for Windows and Mac computers.
Windows Live Messenger - Windows Live Messenger (WLM) previous name was MSN Messenger, or MSN for short, an instant messaging client for Windows.
Google Talk - Google Talk, an Instant Messenger from Google, allows you to make voice calls and transfer files, Instant message friends, family, and business contacts.
Aim Messenger - AIM Instant Messenger from AOL makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family wherever they are in the world. And it's completely free!
ICQ Messenger - ICQ Messenger features include sending text messages, offline messages, multi-user chats, free SMS sending, file transfers, greeting cards and multiplayer games.
MySpaceIM - The IM from MySpace allows you to IM (Instant Message) any of your MySpace friends at any time, just one mouse click will log you in to your email and bulletins.
iChat - Instant Messaging for Mac Users - iChat for Mac computers is based on the AOL model, and allows fulltime, four-way video conferencing
Skype Instant Messenger - Not only does Skype offer cheap phone calls worldwide, they offer a free Skype Instant Messenger (IM) with free one-to-one video calls.
MSN NetMeeting - A complete VoIP Internet conferencing solution for Windows users with both text and voice chat, multi-point data conferencing, whiteboard, and file transfers.
Jabber - Jeremie Miller first began the Jabber project in 1998. Today Jabber is best known as an open source, secure, ad free alternative to consumer IM services
Trillian - Trillian lets you log in to multiple instant messaging systems that includes AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC simultaneously with one interface without the need of running multiple clients.
Meebo - Meebo is a website for instant messaging from absolutely anywhere. Whether you’re at home, at work, or abroad.
