RSSYahoo Launches Web Based Messenger
By Nate Mook | Published May 3, 2007, 6:25 PM
Following in the footsteps of IM rivals AOL and Microsoft, Yahoo on Thursday launched a Web-based version of its instant messaging client, which runs across platforms in IE, Firefox, Opera and Safari. Users can message their Yahoo and Windows Live contacts from a Web browser, as well as access chat history.
Yahoo Messenger for the Web includes a feature the downloadable versions does not yet have: a tabbed message window. Currently in beta, the service is available in English, Portuguese, Vietnamese and traditional Chinese. AOL has offered its own AIM Express on the Web since 2000, while both Microsoft and Google also offer browser-based versions of their IM clients.
At first look, I liked the look of the new Yahoo Web Messenger. But I was not crazy about the flashing ad frame until I realized that I could use "Ad Blocker Plus" plug-in in Firefox to block the Yahoo ads. Now I have a clean looking messaging client inside Firefox. I will probably start using Yahoo Messenger service again since I can just open another Firefox tab to my existing web-based email, calendar, address book and online storage that I open when I start my work day. Good job Yahoo!
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Sorry, posted the flicker message on here before I realized I was on the wrong screen....I love the idea of the web based messenger though because there are a lot of places I go such as the library that won't let you use the downloaded version due to security reasons.
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I wonder if the myriad users who intermittently cannot reach the server will have Yahoo Messenger functionality again?
Here's an idea...work on creating user support!
Something Yahoo has NEVER understood.
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This isn't really new, Yahoo used to have an browser based version of Messenger, but got rid of it. This is more of a relaunch than a debut. The older version was java based I believe.
It does look like they're pushing it over the stand alone client.
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As long as when you use it the thing doesn't change a million things about how IE works like the downloaded client wants to.
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Google's web-based version of the Google Talk client at http://talk.google.com is actually quite useful, especially for us Mac users. While Adium does the job of connecting via the Jabber protocol, the web client actually offers a few unique features.
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