It’s bad news as far as I’m concerned. Microsoft has decided to mothball Windows Live Messenger (WLM) on March 15, 2013. Taking its place will be Skype (which Microsoft acquired for a cool $8.5 billion back in May 2011). I’m not a Skype fan—I hate its dated interface, its inability to support third party emotes, sending of files, tabbed chats, lack of online games, etc. Fortunately, I’ve found a great substitute for WLM, and that’s Yahoo Messenger (current version is 11.5.0.228). You can download it here. Here are some highlights of YM (Yahoo Messenger):
- Instant messaging with a friend or a group of friends
- Customize your IM experience with emoticons, avatars, audibles, and IMVironments
- A built-in media player to watch web videos and view photos with friends
- Play Yahoo games while chatting
- Cam with your IM friends
- Facebook and Twitter integration is available. WLM integration was disabled last year but since WLM is biting the bullet soon, it’s not going to be missed
- IM on mobile—iPhone, Android, or any Internet enabled phone
- Tabbed IM windows
So there you have it. WLM might be relegated to being just a memory, but there’s a good substitute for it. That is, until Microsoft has enough sense to port over the fun features of WLM into Skype.



