ICQ
With more than 400 million instant-messages daily, ICQ (I seek you) is the best known one under the Instant-Messenger. ICQ was developed in July 1996 from four young computer users. Today are in ICQ video, Voice over Ip (making a telephone call via computer networks), SMS, Skins (appearance of the operation surface of programmes), Emoticons, Avatars (graphic representatives of a real person in the virtual world), tools and other functions integrated. Millions of user in the whole world use ICQ! ICQ is a communication tool to chat with people all over the world, finding new friends and receiving the latest news from the community.
The download for the Instant Messenger "ICQ" you can find here (original English web page): http://www.icq.com/
Yahoo! Messenger
The Yahoo! Messenger (Y!M) is widespread, free, can be downloaded and installed with a Yahoo! Access. The functions of Yahoo! Messenger contain among other things: Free calls from pc to pc low priced telephone calls from pc to telephone, contact to friends at Windows live Messenger, sending and receiving of photos and files, design of the Messenger quite individual with avatars, emoticons and personal bell tones. At the moment over 4 million Europeans take advantage of Yahoo! Messenger. Yahoo! Messenger supports next to text messages, webcam, games, also voice call. The newest version of Msn and Yahoo! Messenger can exchange text messages between each other.
The download for the Instant Messenger Yahoo! Messenger you can find here: http://de.messenger.yahoo.com/
Windows Live-Messenger
Windows Live-Messenger is the messenger client of Microsoft and the next generation of the MSN Messenger. Worldwide approximately 150 million user are utilizing the Windows Live-Messenger. The functions of the Windows Live-Messenger are: Free calls pc to pc, low priced telephone calls into the fixed network and mobile telephone, webcam for video-conversation, exchanging photos and files and exchanges of messages with Yahoo! Messenger.
The download for the Instant Messenger "Windows Live-Messenger" you can find here: http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
AOL Instant Messenger
The AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) also can use people, who are not registered at AOL. AOL Instant Messenger is available since 1997 and it is also free. ICQ also belongs to the operator AOL since 1998 (see under ICQ), ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger are compatible and together they have the largest user number worldwide. The functions which the AOL Instant Messenger has integrated are: Free e-mail in the web, worldwide conversations with the AOL-Talk, video chat via webcam, sending out of telegrams, emails, SMS and pictures, and AIM-Chat to talk in the group. With AOL Instant Messenger one has the possibility of talking live, chatting with several persons in private and public rooms and with the help of the "Buddylist" one can see which friends are just online and contacting them. The "Buddylist" is one of the most important functions of AOL Instant Messenger.
The download for the Instant Messenger "AOL Instant Messenger" you can find here: http://www.aol.de/AIM/