Instant Messaging?

[coriolis]

My son wants IM. I had a bad experience when our daughter installed Yahoo on our other compter. I had a hard time uninstalling it and had to edit the registry to remove it completely. What IM do you recommend that doesn't take over your computer?

[southerngale]

I like MSN and have had no problems with it. However, I've never tried to uninstall it because I like it. I also had a problem with Yahoo Messenger when I first installed it but I corrected the problem. It installed a bunch of other stuff on my computer and it was keeping me from being able to open two IE browsers at once. After uninstalling and re-installing Yahoo Messenger only, that fixed the problem. Anyway, I only kept it for a few weeks and the only one I use now is MSN.

[mf_dolphin]

I've stuck with AIM It was the first and still the best IMO

[NWIASpotter]

I have msn on my computer, and being a teenager myself, most of her friends will most likely have msn as well. It is not very difficult at all, easy to uninstall if you have too. So I will recommend MSN, and for parents, if you are the spying type, haha. MSN Plus! which many people have downloaded has an area that saves their convos, so you can read them..Unless your kid can outsmart ya

[southerngale]

I have regular MSN (MSN Messenger 6.2) and you can set it to log your conversations as well, if you want.

[pojo]

I have MSN Messenger on my laptop... I haven't had any problems...

[NWIASpotter]

Yea, see there are many ways you can spy on your kids. I only have msn 5, because of my OLD computer.

[LMolineux]

AIM all the way and my AIM Screen name is LMolineux if anyone wants it.

[ColdFront77]

I use all Instant Message programs. I rather use AIM before YIM and YIM before MSNM.

I've installed and uninstalled MSNM several times because I have had issues with signing in... I would sign out and would remain logged in, even after changing the setting. I installed it again earlier this week and that problem isn't occurring, thank goodness. I would I also don't prefer the overall general setup of the program.

[bfez1]

Aim, here.

[wx247]

I have all three and I like MSN the best. Yahoo! has neat features, but like you mentioned Ed, it is a pain to uninstall and you have to be careful because of all the things you can download with it.

I have issues with AIM, but something to consider is asking your child which program most of his friends have. I am going to guess MSN.

[Brent]

I have all three. I don't use them as much as I used to though. I've never had any problems with them(except for an occasional login problem).

[Rainband]

AIM

[Martinsville Weather]

Yahoo is the best one...I've never had any major problems with it. AIM is pretty good too, I just wish it had a better selection of emoticons. MSN is my least favorite. Besides the fact that I got a virus through it a couple of years ago and lost everything on my computer, it also does weird things to Outlook Express. Be careful with that. I don't trust MSN as much as I do the other 2.

[Miss Mary]

NONE - I hate instant messaging. LOL

But then again I hate cell phones, don't own one personally!

While I enjoy many modern conveniences, some I can't stand!

Mary

[Martinsville Weather]

NONE - I hate instant messaging. LOL

But then again I hate cell phones, don't own one personally!

While I enjoy many modern conveniences, some I can't stand!

Mary

You used to have AIM, what changed?

I don't have a cell phone either though so I agree with you there.

[TexasStooge]

I mainly use Yahoo! IM

[Miss Mary]

Kevin - while we had AOL, I guess one of my family member set up accounts with AIM. Probably my kids wanted it! So yes then we had it but being the non-computer savvy person that I am, I just assumed THAT was an AOL feature!!!

Now we each have our own preferences on this computer (and fuse email accts.). I've never activated IM. I guess it's because I'm lousy at multi-tasking! I'd rather just read boards, online articles, check wx, etc. If I wanted to IM, I'd much rather send emails! But I know I'm in the minority on this one. I'll see my daughter Nina IM'ing her friends from school. She'll have 5 or 6 windows open. I don't know how she keeps it all straight. And then she's playing iTunes in the background. LOL

Mary

[Martinsville Weather]

Kevin - while we had AOL, I guess one of my family member set up accounts with AIM. Probably my kids wanted it! So yes then we had it but being the non-computer savvy person that I am, I just assumed THAT was an AOL feature!!!

Now we each have our own preferences on this computer (and fuse email accts.). I've never activated IM. I guess it's because I'm lousy at multi-tasking! I'd rather just read boards, online articles, check wx, etc. If I wanted to IM, I'd much rather send emails! But I know I'm in the minority on this one. I'll see my daughter Nina IM'ing her friends from school. She'll have 5 or 6 windows open. I don't know how she keeps it all straight. And then she's playing iTunes in the background. LOL

Mary

Oh, I see. And sometimes I'll have 1 or 2 internet explorer windows open, windows media player playing, and up to 10 IM windows (although usually it's only 4-6).

[JQ Public]

I have both MSN and AIM. I would personally recommend AIM only because thats what most kids/young folks...and my friends use. I am sure your child's friends mostly use AIM as well.