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Using Instant Messaging

Messaging a ContactMessaging Multiple ContactsUsing Smart TagsUsing LiveWordsSaving an IM Conversation to a Text File

Using Smart Tags

Instant messages can contain smart tags, a feature that identifies phone numbers and email addresses in message text and marks them so that you can act on them. For example, you can click a phone number to send an SMS message to a mobile phone, or click an email address and send an email message.

Smart tags underline phone numbers and email addresses.

 

Here’s How

  1. When a message in the IM window includes underscored information, you can left-click the information.

    Left-click the information.

    A smart tag menu opens; its options depend on the type of information.

  2. Select the desired menu option:

    From the phone number menu:

    The smart tag phone number menu

    • The SMS option opens the SMS Message window where you can type and send your message.
    • The Save to Address Book option opens the Save to Address Book window, with the phone number information displayed at the top. (See Step 3.)
    • Premium Yahoo! Phone Out users If you have signed up for the premium Phone Out service, the Call option displays in the menu. This option opens the Call window and dials the phone number so that you can talk to your friend using the computer.
    From the email address menu:

    The smart tag email menu

    • The Email option opens your default email application’s message window where you can type and send an email.
    • The Invite to Messenger option opens the Add to Messenger List window where you can complete the invitation process as explained in the Inviting Friends to Use Messenger tutorial.
    • The Save to Address Book option opens the Save to Address Book window, with the email information displayed at the top. (See Step 3.)

  3. In the Save to Address Book window, select a label for the information from the pull-down list. This lets Yahoo! Messenger know where, in your contact’s details, to store the information.

    Select a label for the phone number.

    Select a label for the phone number.

    Select a label for the email address.

    Select a label for the email address.

    Tip: If you like, you can modify the phone number or the email address as well.

  4. Select the contact whose details you want to update, or type a new name under the New Contact tab.

    Type the name of a new contact.

  5. If desired, add more contact details by clicking the Add More Contact Details button.

    Click the Add More Contact Details button.

    This opens the Contact Details window. When you have completed these details, close this window to return to the Save to Address Book window.

  6. Click the Save button.

 

What’s Next

You can easily search the internet when you see words highlighted in your messages.

 
 
 

Words to Know

  • Contact: a person with whom you interact; someone to whom you might want to send an email or instant message.
  • IM: the acronym for instant message.
  • Instant messaging: the ability to exchange messages in real time with other people over the Internet.
  • Messenger List: a list of coworkers, friends, family, and associates who also use Messenger.
  • Smart tag: information, such as a phone number or email address, found in an instant message and underscored for your use. Clicking a smart tag allows you to act on the information, such as sending a text message to a mobile phone number, sending an email to an email address, or adding the information to your address book.
  • Yahoo! Phone Out: a pre-paid Yahoo! Voice account that allows you to make calls using Messenger from your computer to any regular phone or mobile phone in over 30 countries.