Yahoo! Messenger 8 Officially Released

[Jeff]

Yahoo! Messenger 8 for Windows has been officially launched. This latest version, previously available as a beta, provides interoperability with Windows Live Messenger, enhanced PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calling, and an fantastic plug-in API that lets software programmers build their own extensions to the popular IM program.

Initial reports in the BigBlueBall forums indicate that this final release appears to resolve the stability issues some of us experienced with the beta.

Yahoo! Messenger 8 features excellent integration with the other Yahoo sites, including Yahoo 360 and Yahoo Finance. In addition, this can be pretty easily enhanced and extended using the plug-in system. Currently the top five plug-ins are:

1. Pando - a file transfer plug-in that lets you transfer large files and even entire folders to your contacts -- up to 1 GB at a time.
2. YEmote - a really nice little add-on with full access to all the smileys, including the secret ones, created by Andy and our friends over at WackyB.
3. Yahoo! Greetings - Let's you select and send eCards to your buddy while you're chatting.
4. iTunes Remote - Puts a remote control in your contact list. What I don't like about this is that 1) my contact list is usually buried on my screen anyway and 2) if you activate this plug-in, it forces iTunes to launch whenever you load Y! Messenger.
5. Eazibo - Interactive space for sharing and creating graphics. Pretty neat and it could be useful for collaboration.

You can browse the complete list of available plug-ins at http://us.gallery.yahoo.com/, and download Yahoo! Messenger 8 here.

Very nice. A bit of a resource hog but nice nonetheless. I just hope someone makes a patch for the ads. :\

[Baloo Ursidae]

With Jabber having 32 million users and growing, and Yahoo with 26 million and shrinking, what's the deal? Seems like much ado about nothing. It's best to just make the switch at this point, since eventually Jabber's going to do for IM what SMTP did for email a decade ago.

[Nessa]

Baloo Ursidae: Pfft, i'll have to be held at gunpoint or Yahoo! would have to completely shut down before i make that switch. I just love my Yahoo! too much. So, no, it's not best to just make the switch...

Edit: Excuse my slight exaggeration, but i really really like Yahoo! that much... (Plus it's 1am...)

[Baloo Ursidae]

Hatedjealousy: You're one of those people who was upset when the world switched to SMTP for email, aren't you?

[Nessa]

Nope. I repeat: I just like Yahoo! and i refuse to switch to Jabber regardless. Trust me, i'm not the only one who refuses to switch and the fact that you so openly ask everyone to make the switch now just seems like you helped create Jabber or something and are here to advertise. And i seriously believe that if something is going to take over, it's not going to be Jabber...

The much given ado is that a well-loved messenger is offering the ability to connect to another well-loved messenger without having to go to a complete other source.

Plus keep in mind, we aren't here to tell people to just make the switch to this one because it's better. We work with what we have and keep what we want. So don't stereotype me on things simply because i refuse to switch. I just love Yahoo! and that's the end of it. I'm glad they are at least making some changes to improve it regardless if there is another program that already does it better. So i'm with them till the end...

[joefox]

i just downloaded the new version 8 of YM

these problems were encountered:
1) photo sharing is still BBBBBLLLLLLUUUUURRRRRRRYYYYYYY!!!!!!! has anyone ever noticed this!!!!
2) can't change the image
3) can't save pictures from the photos being shared

[Nessa]

Originally Posted by joefox

i just downloaded the new version 8 of YM

these problems were encountered:
1) photo sharing is still BBBBBLLLLLLUUUUURRRRRRRYYYYYYY!!!!!!! has anyone ever noticed this!!!!
2) can't change the image
3) can't save pictures from the photos being shared

Which version of 8? There is four versions of 8 at this time (ending in 612, 613, 711, and 716.)

On your messenger click Help>About Yahoo! Messenger and it will give you which version you have! Be sure to tell us to try to help you further.

[deedesyns]

I don't think Yahoo is that great. I first started IMing on MSN and to this day like MSN so much better. When I did get yahoo and when I would go available I would get people messaging me that weren't on my list. It would happen to me as well. People on my list would log off and it would give me 3 other people logging in. So I have since went to Messenger live and ICQ in which I have no friends. So I left all my friends I have made on yahoo, simply because the program is not that great at all. Sorry but had to be said!