Here is some information to help you get started using Yahoo! Messenger. The subjects covered include:

• How to download Yahoo! Messenger
• How to sign in to Yahoo! Messenger
• How to add a contact
• How to send them an instant message
• How to enter a chat room

How to download Yahoo! Messenger:

1. Go to the Yahoo! Messenger download page.
2. Click Download Now and follow all the prompts.

How to sign in to Yahoo! Messenger

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Select Programs.
3. Select Yahoo! Messenger. Yahoo! Messenger will open.
4. Enter your Yahoo! ID and password.
5. If more than one person is going to be using Yahoo! Messenger on this computer, clear the check box option for Remember my ID & Password. (Then Yahoo! Messenger will request a Yahoo! ID and password each time it is started.)
6. Click Sign In.

Note: If you don't have a Yahoo! ID, click the Get Yahoo! ID button to create a free Yahoo! account.

For additional information on how to reduce your security risk when online, visit our Security Center.

How to add a contact:

1. Click Add a Contact at the bottom of the Yahoo! Messenger window. (You can also click Contacts and select Add a contact.)
2. Enter a Yahoo! ID or Yahoo! Mail address for the contact you want to add. If you don't know the Yahoo! ID or Yahoo! Mail address of the contact, use their email address. (Then they'll get an email invitation.)
3. Click Next.
4. Select the group that you'd like to add this contact to. ("Friends," the default group, adds the name to your main Messenger List.) You can also add a message, if you like, so they'll know who you are.
5. Click Finish.

Note: The contact is automatically notified and given the option to allow or deny your add request. If the contact denies your request, they won't appear in your Messenger List.

How to send them an instant message (IM) to someone on your Messenger List:

1. Double-click the contact name.
2. Type your message.
3. Click Send. (Or press Enter on your keyboard.)

For additional information about sending instant messages, go to the help page, "How do I send an IM?"

Information about chat rooms:

Now that you have covered all the basics, you might want to explore something more advanced, like chat rooms. Please be sure to read up on it before you take the plunge, here's some helpful information about chat rooms:

• To some helpful information about Yahoo! Chat, go to: Go to the Yahoo! Messenger Chat Rooms page for a brief overview.
• Go to the help article, "Tips for Chatting Safely," to see more in-depth information on safe chatting.
• Go to the help article, "Can I set up different personalities or aliases?," to learn how to create an alias.

Note: Yahoo! Chat allows you to meet a wide assortment of people from anywhere in the world. Before you start chatting it would be a good idea to create an alias and read our safe chatting tips.

How to enter a chat room:

1. Sign in to Yahoo! Messenger.
2. Select Messenger from the menu bar.
3. Select Yahoo! Chat from the drop down menu.
4. Click Join a Room.
5. Select an alias from the drop down menu labeled Enter Chat room as.
6. Select a category on the left and a room on the right.
7. Double-click the name of the room you want to enter.
8. Once you've selected a chat room, you'll be brought to the chat room window where you'll see your Yahoo! ID or alias listed, as well as the Messenger Chat Administrator. You won't see anyone else listed in the chat room until you've passed the verification process. To do this you'll need to enter the verification code given in the chat room window. Once you have verified the code you will be entered into the chat room you selected.

I hope this information has helped you get off to a great start with Yahoo! Messenger. If you want to learn more about Yahoo! Messenger, you can go to our Yahoo! Messenger Tutorials at:

• Yahoo! Messenger 8 Tutorials (US Version)
• Yahoo! Messenger 9 Tutorials (US Version)