If you already have an Instant Messenger (IM) program installed, you can keep using it just the same as before. If you don't have one installed, the easiest way to choose an IM program is to find out which ones your friends and family use.

Here are some of the more popular IM programs you can install:

Once you've completed the download, open the file and follow the instructions provided.
Add a few friends' names to your buddy list and you're ready to chat away!

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)

Since August 2006, you can use your AOL email address to login with AOL instant Messenger™ (AIM) even if you canceled your AOL subscription. Using AIM has never been easier!

AIM service is a free online service that lets you communicate with family, friends and co-workers in real time. Main features include:

• Voice and video chat (you need a microphone and/or web cam for this)
• Buddy List® allows a list of 500 of your closest friends
• Organize your chats with tabbed IMs
• Chat with multiple friends
• Share photos
• Send messages to and from your mobile phone

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Yahoo! Messenger

Use Yahoo! Messenger to connect in real-time and communicate how you want, when you want, with whom you want. In addition to sending text-based instant messages, you also get:

• Voice and video chat (you need a microphone and/or web cam for this)
• IM with Windows Live™ (MSN) Messenger friends
• Drag-and-drop photo and file sharing with real-time discussions
• Stealth settings to reduce interruptions
• Personalization of your Messenger with themes, sounds, and images

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MSN Messenger

Connect and share instantly on the most popular IM networks.

Features include:

• Live, full-screen video conversations
• Sharing Folders that allow you to drop in photos and files to share with friends
• Text message friends' phones
• Auto update of your address book when friends change their info
• Windows Live™ Alerts which keep you up-to-date with headlines, sports scores, traffic, or just about anything else you want to keep up with
• Talk to your Yahoo! friends too

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ICQ

ICQ is a personal communication tool that allows users to meet and interact, to catch up with old friends, to meet new friends and to hear the latest stories from the world wide community. Top features include:

• Voice and video chat (you need a microphone and/or web cam for this)
• Multi user and random chat
• Personalization of your display
• Games
• Communicate with your AIM and AOL friends

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Trillian

Trillian is a chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo Messenger. If you have friends on multiple services, this might be the best solution for you. Some benefits include:

• Contact message history
• Tabbed messaging
• Global status changes (set all networks away at once)
• Instant Lookup (automatic Wikipedia integration)
• Contact alerts

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