ICQ 2000b is the latest release of ICQ ("I seek you"), the popular instant-messaging program that lets you communicate with friends and colleagues in real time. To seek out a friend on the ICQ network, simply enter his or her ICQ number, name, nickname, or e-mail address. Once your contact list is set up, you'll be notified when your friends are online so that you can chat; send instant messages, files, and URLs; play games; or just hang out.

ICQ 2000b features include ICQphone, a new feature that incorporates IP telephony functions into the ICQ program. Users can initiate and participate in PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calls. In addition, users can now also utilize SMS technology, send wireless-pager messages, view up-to-date information on ICQ channels, integrate ICQ with Outlook, and much more.

Other ICQ 2000b features include a new design for User Details, in which a new menu on the left side of the dialog replaces the design tabs in previous ICQ versions. An additional Contact option highlights the concise information for the user. A similar design appears for the Alert/Accept Modes. Plus, there are additional options in the Message dialog. You now have the option to send your message by e-mail or initiate an ICQphone call. There is also better coverage for the ICQ SMS service with more available networks.

Updates in the latest version of ICQ 2000b include enhanced spam control and added carriers in the ICQ SMS database. For a complete list of new features, visit the ICQ New Features page.

Note: This program automatically changes the location of your home page to ICQ's Web site.

You don't have to be an America Online member to experience the immediate cross-Internet communication made possible by AOL Instant Messenger. This program allows Internet users to communicate via private, personalized text messages, and indicates when friends, family members, and business colleagues are online. AOL Instant Messenger combines AOL's popular Buddy List and Instant Message features, enabling users to send and respond to messages immediately. Other features include a user directory and buddy chat capabilities, personalized news, and a Neighborhood Watch feature so that you can disconnect when crank chatters contact you. New features in this version include tickers that stream news headlines and stock quotes through a separate window, Buddy Icons that allow you to use graphics to represent yourself in your buddies' instant-messaging windows, and a feature that lets you stay connected to the service even if your Internet connection is briefly cut off. Version 4.0 introduced the ability to share photos, pictures, sounds, and chat with friends and family or people with similar interests. A new feature called AIM Talk was also added, allowing you to enjoy live conversation online.

Yahoo Messenger (formerly known as Yahoo Pager) is a free service that allows you to see when friends come online and send them instant messages. It can also alert you to new mail in your Yahoo Mail or Yahoo Personals account, or when you have an upcoming meeting recorded in Yahoo Calendar. Yahoo Messenger offers firewall support; a standby mode that minimizes the program until an Internet connection is made; the ability to save and print your conversations; and a tabbed interface that provides quick access to your favorite stocks, news, and sports scores (see screenshot). Other features include the ability to create a chat room automatically, stock price alerts, the ability to send messages to friends even if they're not online when you are, a Quick Compact mode that hides the Messenger tools to maximize your viewing area, Messenger Themes, the Online Presence, a small HTML "button" you can put onto your Web site to allow your Yahoo buddies to instantly see if you are online, and voice chat, which allows you to talk for free to anybody else on the Internet. If you have a microphone and speakers, you can talk to other people on Yahoo with no long-distance charges.

MSN Messenger Service is an instant-messaging program that notifies you when your friends are online so you can send messages or chat with several friends at once. In addition, MSN Messenger Service notifies you when you have new e-mail in your Hotmail account and allows you to access your inbox with the click of a button. You have full control over who can contact you and view whether you are online. At any time, you can see a list of all users who have added you to their lists, and you can easily block them if you choose to do so. You can also invite someone in your list to meet over the Internet or to play an Internet game using NetMeeting. The program will even notify you when someone you are communicating with is typing so that you can avoid overlapping messages. MSN Messenger Service also offers integration with Outlook Express 5.0.

Version 3.6 includes connectivity improvement behind firewalls and other miscellaneous bug fixes. For a full listing of features, click here.

Note: In order to use MSN Messenger Service, you must have a Microsoft Passport user name or a Hotmail account. If you do not currently have one, you will be able to sign up during the installation of this program.