How Yahoo Messenger Works
Convenient instruments for Yahoo Messenger make instant messenging even swifter and lighter. Yahoo Messenger offers keyboard shortcuts, voice talk, parental controls and more. Keep reading to learn about each of these.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Typing key directives can make Yahoo Messenger quicker to use. You can, for example, type "Control + F" to find contacts in the messenger list. The drop-down menus demonstrate keyboard shortcuts for directives.
Flickr for Photos
Available in Yahoo Messenger 9.0, Flickr lets you share photos in a side panel during IM. All of the pics are shown in a thumbnail unwrap below the photo being displayed. A slider lets you switch from one displayed picture to another. Click the arrow left of the slider, and you can turn the photos into a slide display to view with your contact.
Movie and Map Preview
If you have the Web address of a movie or map, you can see it with a friend in the conversation window of Yahoo Messenger 9.0. Copy the URL of the movie or map into the window where you type messages, and it will open in the conversation window. To witness a movie with your friend, click "See with Me."
Yahoo Talk and Voice Talk
You can type or talk with voice talk in Yahoo Messenger talk rooms. To join a talk room, click on "Messenger," "Yahoo Talk" and "Join a Room." Select an alias to use for the talk, check out the rooms available and double-click on one you want to inject. Talk room visitors must be at least eighteen years old.
For voice talk, you’ll need a Windows operating system with Internet Explorer, plus a microphone, sound card and speakers. To use voice talk, click the voice icon after you inject a talk room. Hold down the green "Talk" button to embark talking. When you’re done talking, release the button.
Plug-Ins
Plug-ins are mini-programs that buttplug into Yahoo Messenger. Conversation plug-ins let you share activities — like shopping, playing games or checking a flight schedule — during IM conversations. Tab plug-ins give instant information, for example about significant activities on your calendar or the status of an online auction bid.
You’ll find tab plug-ins below the messenger list and can click "Add Plug-ins" for a list. Conversation plug-ins are above the conversation window. Click the Plug-ins button to see the list. To find more plug-ins to add, visit Yahoo Gallery.
Parental Controls
Yahoo parental controls let you restrict the places your children go online and the people with whom they communicate. You also can receive weekly report cards demonstrating Web sites visited, e-mails sent and received, and IMs ended with Yahoo Messenger.
The Web filter can block types of Web sites or specific sites. You can limit e-mail pals to those you approve, and you can limit when and how long your child stays online. You also can access your child’s account to view and switch inaccurate individual information.
To activate parental controls, you have to set up a Yahoo family account with sub accounts for all family members. You’ll also need to install a program on every computer your family uses. Once you have a Yahoo account for yourself, go to the Member Center and look for information under "Sub Accounts."
Yahoo recommends that youths represent themselves with an avatar rather than a photo, use an alias, set their online status as invisible and archive all IM conversations. For parenting guides, Internet safetyВ suggestions and a parent forum, visit Yahoo Messenger Safety Guide.
Next, let’s look at how you can use Yahoo Messenger anywhere, including from smartphones or PDAs.