Microsoft NetMeeting was a VoIP (Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol) instant messaging software that was included in the Windows Operating System before Windows Vista was released. Microsoft NetMeeting allowed users to do virtually everything that modern instant messaging software is capable of, including group conversations, file transfers, audio calls, and video calls. However, other instant messaging programs began to offer more functionality and higher quality than NetMeeting and Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger eventually replaced it.

 

Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger, another Microsoft product, was the official replacement to NetMeeting and offered many more tools and functions than its predecessor. For example, Windows Live Messenger allows users to create online profiles via MSN that other users can view. Windows Live Messenger also allows users to insert emoticons and other graphical images into messages and store files in a shared folder that both users are able to access at any time, even if one user is offline.

 

Skype

For users who do not like Windows Live Messenger, Skype is another free alternative to NetMeeting. Skype allows users to create profiles, use emoticons, have audio/video conversations, and participate in group conversations. Skype also has its own VoIP phone service that allows users to make phone calls to landlines, cell phones, and other computers and even gives users the ability to create their own virtual phone number. In fact, Skype allows users to make international calls for only a few cents per minute and users even have the ability to purchase a Skype landline telephone that routes calls through their computer to make calls for free.

 

Ekiga

Ekiga, which was once known as GnomeMeeting, is a VoIP instant messaging software for the GNU Operating System. It is compatible with Windows, Linux/Unix, and a variety of other operating systems. Ekiga allows users to place phone calls, have audio/video conversations with their friends, and insert a wide variety of emoticons and other graphical images into messages, just like Microsoft Live Messenger and Skype. However, Ekiga is a completely open source, supports HD audio quality, and can display video quality that is as good as any DVD.

 

Yahoo Instant Messenger

Yahoo Instant Messenger is a popular instant messaging software that Yahoo provides. It has many of the same features as the other instant messaging programs listed above. However, Yahoo Instant Messenger is specifically designed to fit Yahoo accounts and can be setup to post messages directly to Yahoo services or alert the user when he/she receives a message.