MS, Yahoo link message systems

From correspondents in San Francisco

July 13, 2006

This article from : Agence France-Presse

YAHOO and Microsoft today released software to bridge their previously exclusive online instant messaging (IM) systems.

The move fulfilled a promise the US internet titans made last year and marked the first time rival global messaging service providers arranged to co-mingle members.

Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger with Voice users in more than 15 international markets can get "beta" test versions of the interoperability software at http://messenger.yahoo.com or http://ideas.live.com, the companies said.

The union promised to create the world's largest IM community by merging nearly 350 million IM accounts, Microsoft and Yahoo said in a joint statement.

"A new era for staying connected with friends and family is here, and the bridge between Yahoo's and Microsoft's IM communities is bringing people around the world closer together," Brad Garlinghouse, senior vice president of Communications, Community and Front Doors, Yahoo, said.

The beta program would be available in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Source http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au

Just tried it and dumped it.

I unchecked the toolbar option but it still installed it.

I'll stick to Skype, Gmailtalk & MSN PC2PC Voip goodies.