Unencumbered Yahoo Instant Messenger (IM)

Yahoo, IMHO, tries to hide the ability to use Yahoo Instant Messenger as a solo entity. It seems they MUST install that horrible, horrible toolbar and a mail client that is not needed. So, here's a step by step guide how to use their messenger service without getting Claria and 180solutions all over your computer. You may want to print this post before starting.

First Step: Update Lavasoft AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Run scans with both programs. Then run CCleaner. This will help rid your PC of the bad guys. Don't have these utilities? See last Sunday's post.

Second Step: Open your browser, preferably Firefox, and go to Yahoo. Towards the top of the page in the right corner you will find the Messenger icon. It's a smiley with a telephone receiver stuck in his/her ear. Open this by clicking on it. Download the Yahoo Instant Messenger install program by clicking on the Get It Now bar.

Step Three: Here's the tricky part. Open up the program. On the first page unclick the two check boxes towards the bottom and go to the top and click on ONLY Custom Install (it's probably in blue letters). On this Choose the Products to Install page make ABSOLUTELY SURE all boxes are UNCHECKED except the Desktop shortcut box. That's right, leave the Desktop shortcut box checked. Then read their very wordy, vague license agreement and check the yes box. Download the program.

Step Four: When the program download stops click the finish box. You now have the Yahoo IM program installed and running. If you have a Yahoo identity use it. If not create one. I always make sure it starts ONLY when it is told to start. Poor ole' Windows has enough problems starting up without dealing with this resource hog messenging program. Also, stop that ugly thangy that pops up everytime you use the IM by going to the Messenger tab at the top and then clicking on preferences (BTW I certainly don't let this program search my computer for users, etc.). Oh yeah, that ugly thangy that pops up is Inside Yahoo. It's in the preferences under the General tab. Just uncheck the first two boxes on this page.

I do not like this program, but do use it. Most of the time it is launched thru a third party client called GAIM. GoogleTalk is a far better IM client. Its only drawback is that it will not conference voice calls. Hopefully this will change in the near future.

Hope this helps. Please remember, you are installing at your own risk. Don't whine if you screw things up.

"I can live with doubt and uncertainty. I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong."
-Richard P. Feynman