Too Confused For Words...

[mjc2002]

But I'll try...

To date, the only IM application I've successfully used is Yahoo IM - it has its pros and cons. Anyway, I wanted to compare Yahoo IM with other applications. That was my big mistake because colleagues are bombarding me with ideas and names and labels:

Windows Messenger
MSN Messenger
NetMeeting

Do these all exist? Are they all basically the same?

On the PC at work here I noticed an invitation to open (on booting up) an MSN session only to be told I couldn't because I was trying to use an old version - and I have to download the latest version, install it as an administrator (goodness knows how), etc. Sounds horrendous - yet I know loads of people use MSN right?

NetMeeting - this is on my PC at work too, via Accessories-Communications. No joy with this one either of course as, although I get past the initial screens, I then get a message about no server being available and to change something in the General Options dialog box - though it doesn't explain how.

And then there ¡s "Windows Messenger" - is that MSN Messenger under another name? Or Netmeeting? Or are all three the same??

PLEASE CLARIFY these basic concepts for me because I am actually in quite a predicament over this and feel absolutely and completely lost.

Other than that, I noticed that Netmeeting has a "blackboard" feature. Yahoo IM doesn't (unless I still haven't found it after 4 months). How about MSN Messenger and/or Windows Messenger assuming these are different applications? This feature could be quite a plus for me (the ability to work on sketches, notes, etc. in real time) The other feature of particular interest for me is the Archiving/Logging facility. Yahoo IM does this quite brilliantly, I feel - I find it very useful for picking up threads, etc. Do the other aplications I've mentioned offer this feature?

And finally, please excuse me if this is not the forum to ask, but the others seemed too specific to one application (eg. MSN, yahoo, etc.)

I'll be very very grateful if you can between you put me clear on this one. I'm also happy to read up on the subject if you'd care to give me links to pages explaining the differences.

Cheers

Mike

PS. As if this wasn't bad enough, another colleague has just suggested to me that I use "Yangtzee"? Is that how you spell it??

[Oreo]

OK...I'm not a professional but I'll help you the best I can and use laymen's terms...because I know (being a layman myself) that things can get confusing. I'm sure someone else on the site will expand on what I write. FIRST, yes all of the those exist...and SOOOOO many more. Personally, I don't trust Netmeeting, I've had a VERY bad security instance with that one. But it does have cool functions for business people.
SECOND, the reason you are getting the update invite at start up is one of your friends has invited you, and the version that actually came on your PC is most likely not supported any longer. So you if you want to use MSN you have to go to the newest version. (You could go to a version that's still supported, too confusing so I won't get into that)
THIRD, Windows messenger is, I'm not really sure what the heck it is, except trying to be the other messengers that already exist, and not doing that great of a job at it I might add. (I think it's just basically a messenger without bells and whistles)

FOURTH, I've used Yahoo! for about 7 or 8 years if not 9, so I really like it. And I know they even have a business version that is safer, but I believe you have to pay for that.

I hope this helped a tiny bit. I'm sure someone else may be able to give you more specifics for what you want. Good Luck...and don't get too confused...there are A LOT of messengers out there and it gets confusing. The best thing to do is to stick with one you like...and there's always Trillian, which is interoperable with a bunch of messengers. There's a section for it here on the site, under "others." People really like it, I personally have not used it.

Good Luck all the same!! (I hope I haven't confused you even more!)

[shifter]

Generally most users stick with MSN Messenger, AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), Yahoo! Messenger, and ICQ.
I think the best way for us to help you decide on an IM client is for you to tell use what features you require (voice, webcam, logging, whiteboard, etc) and what its main purpose is (business, personal, etc).

Also worth reviewing is our All about IM section. This will tell you the basics about the 4 big IM clients. Browse around the site, perhaps it will help you get a grasp on whats out there and what's popular. Also remember that most IM clients require that both parties be signed up with an account with them in order to communicate. This is where alternative interoperable clients such as Trillian come in.

Also, to answer your MSN/Windows Messenger question. Yes, they are two separate clients. MSN Messenger is geared toward personal use, as its full of features such as games, display pics, and animated emoticons. Whereas Windows Messenger is only compatible with Windows 2000 or XP and is now developed more for corporate use, with features such as whiteboard sharing and remote assistance.

[mjc2002]

Dear Oreo and Shifter

Thanks a million for those replies, both immensely helpful in their own way to a newbee like myself. I think I can now pursue *most* of my questions in the specific forums, where they belong really.

I would, however, before retiring from this "general" forum, like to add/ask a couple more things:

1) I've successfully updated and installed MSN Messenger. It appears to be able to run side-by-side with Yahoo. Is there any reason why they wouldn't? (I have some contacts who use Yahoo and a few more who use MSN)

2) At present, my web camera picture if I open a session in Yahoo is perfect; if I open it in MSN Messenger it's horrendous (a bit like a photographic negative). Does this problem report ring any bells with anybody here? By the way, I use a Logitech webcam and, until today, it had seemed pretty good to me. Can't help feeling that the problem lies in my MSN set-up, raher than in the camera itself. Don't worry, I'll transfer this problem to the WebCam / MSN forums.

3) Still mightily confused by NetMeeting and Windows Messenger. And the more I read, the more confused I get. I read for example that NetMeeting has been decatalogued. Really? So how come it's still accessible from all the menus, including Windows XP. I also notice that NetMeeting is available once inside MSN Messenger. And then at the same time I read that Windows Messenger (for 2000 and XP... or only for XP?) has replaced NetMeeting? Really? Is Windows Messenger on the menus too?? Or is this a downloadable program. Well, anyway, I could literally go on for the rest of my life with questions about NetMeeting and Windows Messenger, so I think I'll leave it here.

4) "I think the best way for us to help you decide on an IM client is for you to tell use what features you require (voice, webcam, logging, whiteboard, etc) and what its main purpose is (business, personal, etc)."

OK - well, I really want all of those features you just mentioned: voice, webcam, logging and whiteboard. The main purpose is, in fact, more professional than personal - in order to be able to talk to our clients, discuss issues, etc.

This is why an application like NetMeeting *sounded* wonderful if it's bundled with every Windows (Is it?!) - but I just can't get to grips with it at all - plus, if, as I say, it's been discontinued (Has it?!), then there'e not much point flogging a dead horse. Or is Windows Messenger the new NetMeeting?? Sorry, I appear to be back on the same subject as 3) again.

Well, I'll really appreciate any further thoughts or pointers from any of you - and then I promise to drop the subject.

Thanks in advance
Mike

[Oreo]

Hi Mike,
For your cam problems with MSN, it sounds like configuration problems, I would look into your preferences. As far as them running side by side, both programs will run side by side, but on Trillian I believe they are all in one window (unless I'm mistaken). Windows Messenger sounds like the direction you should head if you like the whiteboard thing. Also, you might want to look into Yahoo! Messenger for business because I believe there are other options there as well.
Don't feel bad about asking questions, that's what these forums are all about, that's why all of us come here. Most of what I have learned about computers over the years I learned because I asked questions, then I just figured out patterns. And you can ask anyone here...I STILL ask lots of questions because I still have lots to learn! I hope everythingn works out with your messenger quest!