I have many chat programs on my computer. (Mirc, Icq, AOL Instant Messenger, plus a few more) but recently I was in a chat with a friend and we were trying to have voice conversation. The voice programs that were built into the ones we were trying to use were breaking up and cutting out so bad we couldn't hear each other.

He then told me to download yahoo instant messenger because it had a wonderful voice program. He was right! I have to admit that I don't use the Yahoo Messenger all the time, but when I want to have a voice conversation with someone, I do! The voice program is run by a service called Hearme.com. They offer audio between person to person that is extremely clear and crisp. The only downfall I see with the audio part of the program is that it does not support full duplex, therefore you have to take turns talking and push a button with your cursar each time you talk. (similar to a two way radio). This flaw just may be the reason it is clearer to hear the other party and for me, I'm willing to live with it.

I have to admit that I have not yet explored all of the possibilities with Yahoo Messenger, but do know that (unlike AOL Instant Messenger)you may leave offline text messages to your Yahoo Messenger Pals and when they sign on the program, they will get the message along with the date and time it was sent. Another aspect of the program that I have not used very often but did try is the fact that you may do file transfers back and forth between two "Pals", which is very convenient.

I would recommend this program to anyone that enjoys live voice chat or who may have family living far away with internet access that they would like to talk with regularly and save money on phone bills. This program gets a thumbs up from me.



Recommended: Yes