Nice idea but...
Written: Mar 25 '00 (Updated Mar 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: I like the idea and I think it is the nicest interface of all the IMs I've used
Cons: it is VERY buggy
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| poseidon's Full Review: Yahoo! Messenger |
One of the neatest inventions on the internet is the concept of an instant messenger/chat program. I’ve tried all the major players – AOL, ICQ, PIRCH, mIRC, MSN and Yahoo. The programs differ vastly in appearance and functionality. They all, however, do the same basic thing – they allow you to talk to someone else in real time over an Internet connection.
I’ve settled on three that I keep on my system. Quite frankly, I was disappointed with mIRC and PIRCH because of the constant barrage of invitations for cybersex and having to put up with some kid’s dissertations about Pokemon and other trivial tripe.
I use MSN Messenger Service to check my Hotmail account. I’ve never had the opportunity to even see how the chat function on that program works because I don’t know anyone who actually uses it. For more information about this program, you may want to check my review on it.
I use AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) because I have family members that insist on sticking around with the world’s largest and worst community ever conceived. It is the only way I can chat with them in real time, and saves me vast amounts of money in long-distance telephone calls. Again, for more information, you may want to see my review on this product.
I dislike ICQ because it wreaks havoc with Windows98 and is better left off any computer running that operating system.
My chat program of choice is the Yahoo Pager. It seems to be the user-friendliest product of the bunch.
One of the things I like about the Yahoo Pager is the ability to add a “skin” to the graphical interface. All this means is you have the option of giving it a customized look, with some background pictures, etc. It doesn’t affect the performance or add any functionality, but it does make it more interesting to use.
Another neat thing about the Yahoo Pager is the ability to chat with users while they are on the Yahoo Chat program. The Yahoo Chat is an HTML-based chat program using Java coding. The two programs interact with each other so they make for easy access to friends.
This feature, however, does not come without problems. Because the Pager has a “buddy list” that tells you when your friends are using the pager, it sometimes confuses the Pager with the Yahoo Chat program. I have friends tell me I am ignoring them because I am showing as being on-line on their “buddy list” but I don’t acknowledge them or chat with them. The problem is I don’t have my Pager on, and therefore am unaware they are waiting for me in that program. Again, since the two interact, my friends can contact me and we can carry on a conversation.
Another problem with the program arises from it locking up my computer. All too often, I will be chatting with someone and I am unable to access any other systems on my computer. I am left hitting CONTROL ALT DELETE that closes all programs and reboots the computer. I do not experience this problem with any other programs – it manifests itself when I run Yahoo Pager.
The pager is able to check e-mail messages if you are using a Yahoo account for your e-mail. Also, if you have a classified advertisement on the Yahoo system, you are able to check that as well. You are able to follow stocks and weather from pre-set locations, as well as checking the latest scores for your favorite sport.
The “Buddy List” is easy to maintain. It is a simple task to add or remove people from the list. You have the ability, unlike AIM, to send someone an Instant Message even if they are not online. This is nice if you just want to reply to something without having to wait for them to come back and chat.
I like the ability to remain “invisible” while using the Pager. I use this function when I do not want to carry on six conversations at the same time. Sometimes, when my “buddies” are online, they all want to talk, and it is difficult to carry on a conversation. The problem arises when my friends know that I hang out in “invisible” mode and they all send me messages that say, “Are you on?” or “Are you lurking?” I don’t know why, but I feel like an idiot if I don’t answer.
I also like the customization feature that lets the user know when a “buddy” comes online or offline, and notifies you when you receive a message. This is particularly important when I’m multi-tasking. I don’t have to close all my windows only to discover someone has written me a message 20 minutes ago and are anxiously awaiting a response.
Finding out about people who write you randomly is also a somewhat easy task. All users are encouraged to put up a profile similar to the one we have here on Epinions.com. You can include a picture and whatever other information you're interested in putting down. It also gives you a good idea when that 12-year old asks you randomly if you have any Pokemon cards you want to trade... again, you do have the ability to make yourself "invisible" to others! =)
While Yahoo Pager is my favorite instant messenger service, I am not satisfied with it. Most of my frustration stems from the constant lock-ups and other minor glitches. The program isn’t free of losing messages that are typed and thus causing some strain with someone when you are trying to converse with them. However, I find it much less of a pain than ICQ and a much more friendly interface than AIM.
I would call a recommendation on this product a toss-up. I neither recommend it nor do I not recommend it.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
poseidon
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Jeffrey Schwartz
Location: Sunrise, FL, USA
Reviews written: 511
Trusted by: 1097 members
About Me:
Feel free to contact with me... my Facebook account is located at http://profile.to/jeffschwartz/
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