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Yahoo! Messenger for the Web

Published 01/03/2011 and rated

3 out of 5 stars by AppAppeal Editor

4 comments for this app

What can you use the app for?

At this point, instant messaging has been around for decades. Individuals have been sending fast, short messages to one another using many popular chat programs, from ICQ to AOL And MSN messenger. Yahoo was also on board, but is currently offering another option that may be even easier than previous options. When using another computer at work, the library, school or elsewhere, it may not be possible to download and install a chat program. Some users may not want to do so anyway because of conversation logging. Yahoo Messenger is being perfected for web based chatting. Users can access the application and chat with others from any browser, anywhere in the world. The application is also designed to connect with Windows Live messenger for even greater convenience.

What is the history and popularity of the app?

Yahoo Messenger for the Web is a part of the Yahoo family of products. Yahoo has become a very well known name on the internet since the mid 1990s. It was originally created by Stanford PhD students Jerry Yang and David Filo in January of 1994. By 1995, Yahoo was incorporated and became a globally recognized brand. Based out of Sunnyvale, California, the team currently consists of CEO Carol Bartz, Advisor Terry Semel, Chief Privacy Officer Anne Toth, Chief Marketing Officer Elisa Steele, Chief Human Resources Officer David Windley, chairman Roy Bostock and Chief Scientist Raghu Ramakrishnan.

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What are the differences to other apps?

Yahoo Messenger for the Web doesn’t offer anything that the many other chat messenger programs do not already offer. The main difference is the way Yahoo Messenger is accessed. Users can log in using any browser without downloading or installing software. Yahoo Messenger can also access contacts on Windows Live.

How does the web app look and feel to use?

Yahoo Messenger for the Web uses many of the same design elements of other popular chat programs. This is primarily because they work so well. The service doesn’t have to be extremely detailed or fancy. In fact, over complicating it with flashy images and graphics can counter act its functionality. Users can easily sign in or choose to sign in as invisible right from the colorful Yahoo Messenger homepage.

How does the registration process work?

Users who do not have a Yahoo account can click on the grey “Sign Up” button at the bottom of the white box along the right hand side of the messenger homepage. Another browser will appear with the registration form. The form signs the user up for a general Yahoo account which gives them access to other Yahoo products. The user is asked to provide a name, gender, birthday, country location, postal code, desired Yahoo ID and email address and a password. The bottom of the form asks for an alternative email (which is optional) as well as two security questions and answers.

What does it cost to use the application?

Yahoo Messenger for the Web is available to anyone for free. This is a plus because many other popular messaging programs are also free. Charging a subscription fee would be difficult to do because most people would simply stick with what they are already using.

Who would you recommend the application to?

Yahoo Messenger for the Web is a great tool for anyone who already uses Yahoo or those searching for a web based way to chat. Users can access Yahoo Messenger without downloading the program, which makes it possible to chat on school computers, at the library, internet cafes or while at work.

Yahoo! Messenger for the Web Features