The Rundown on Instant Messaging Programs
Adam
DWStep@aol.com
AIM, instant messanger, chat, issue 3, yahoo, msn chat

As you might have already noticed Instant Messaging has become 
an extreemely popular way to get in touch with people. 
Some people use these services to talk to relatives, others for 
friends, and some use them to make friends.  Usually they have 
ways of finding people who are geered to the same interests that 
you are.  


You may be thinking why do I want a messaging program 
when I already have a service like America Online?  Well, 
with Instant Messaging things are very organized, crisp, 
and easy to use.  In this article I will run down a list of 
worthwile Instant Messaging programs for windows and where 
to find them.  This can also help you decide which is best 
for you.


	Yahoo! Messenger

Yahoo! messenger is a very good program for chatting with 
people over the internet.  It features Instant Messages, 
Friend Lists, and Voice Chat (for those who have the 
equiptment).  You can also get Yahoo! Mail, Callander 
Alerts, Personals, News Stock Quotes, Sport Scores, and 
other things.  
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
(beta version w/ some extra features available)


* AOL Instant Messenger

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an excellent program.  I happen 
to use it as my messenger program.  I use the beta software 
because of its few extra features (scrolling news ticker, 
buddy icons II, buddy list status icon, and game center).  
The regular version has chat (talking with multiple people), 
a directory, and personalized news.
For the regular version go to:
http://www.aol.com/aim/home.html
For the beta go to:
http://www.aol.com/aim/winbeta.html
--AOL took down the linux version, so......



* MSN Messenger
Not surprisingly Microsoft also makes and Instant Messaging program.  
Theirs is called MSN Messenger.  It is a good messagin program.  One 
nice thing about this program is that you can see when your AIM 
friends are on or MSN friends.  One other neat feature is you can tell 
when someone else in the conversation is typing.  Don't ask me how I 
just got it off their site!
http://messenger.msn.com/


* Peoplelink Instant Messaging
This product is created by infoseek.  I do not know that much about it.  
What I do know is it is very basic.  If all you want to be able to do is 
chat with people you know I strongly recommend Peoplelink.
http://www.peoplelink.com/v1/down_infoseek/


These to me are the best choices for Instant Messaging Services.