 | | Developer | Yahoo! | | Initial release | Yahoo! Pager on March 9, 1998. | | Preview release | 3.0.1 Beta build 235554 (Mac OS X) | | Operating system | Windows, Mac OS X, iPhone, WUI, UNIX (no longer supported) | | Type | VoIP/Instant messaging client | | License | Proprietary adware | | Website | messenger.yahoo.com |
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 Yahoo! Messenger is an advertisement-supported instant messaging client and associated protocol provided by Yahoo!. Yahoo! Messenger is provided free of charge and can be downloaded and used with a generic "Yahoo! ID" which also allows access to other Yahoo! services, such as Yahoo! Mail, where users can be automatically notified when they receive new email. Yahoo! also offers PC-PC, PC-Phone and Phone-to-PC service, file transfers, webcam hosting, text messaging service, and chat rooms in various categories.
Yahoo! Messenger was originally launched under the name Yahoo! Pager on March 9, 1998.
In addition to instant messaging features similar to those offered by ICQ, it also offers (on Microsoft Windows) features such as: IMVironments (customizing the look of Instant Message windows, some of which include authorized themes of famous cartoons such as Garfield or Dilbert), address-book integration and Custom Status Messages. It was also the first major IM client to feature BUZZing and music-status. Another recently added feature is customized avatars.
Yahoo Messenger also allows users to access Yahoo Chat Rooms. These chat rooms force users to type in a verification link code before being allowed to enter the chat rooms. However, once one is inside the chat room, porn bots, spam bots as well as those running malicious booting codes and operating booting 'bots' are harassing chat users. Yahoo has a report abuse feature however there is no evidence this actually works, as many booters are still in the chat rooms day and night, without repercussion. |