Some one would come in and ask how not to be booted in chat, or how to do the cool colors, and then someone would spam ychat, then a cheeta spam, then an 'elite, then another cheeta, and another ychat ~ and then the inevitable question.... which one is best?? so i went and did some screen caps and info gathering, and a horrid page on knac.com ~  then moved it to egocities, then here.

please read all of this!!   and look at all the pics and info....THEN....if you still have trouble, then come back to ych and ask for more help. but....be aware that the choice of a chat client is often a personal decision and what's great for someone else may not be for you........that is why this page exists..... you could have simply been tossed a link to one client....and you may have hated it... better to see all...and make a smart choice :)

now......there is one official client...yahoo messenger and at least 3 unofficial clients that i feel i can recommend ;yahelite, ychat, and cheeta chat. other clients not reviewed at this time. one because the internal name and all associations are named for another client, one because it failed to log in, never a good thing in my book. but others use them ~ so look around.. these are ones I would trust MY account info too..... all allow you to access yahoo chat.....the same rooms and friends as java chat. just bypassing the browser and the problems that can entail. check my mac page for mac client info. the java/dhtml and  messenger info is listed to compare too, not necessarily  recommended to use.   

click the smaller images to see the full screen shot and some info about download size and a few good and bad things about each. (remember...personal experience here!!!)

those who use a client will tell you they prefer one.. or all..... the big feature that gets many to change is a full screen chat with no ads.  but once people try a client, they see the toys and potential. :) these clients are yahoo only 

set an auto response? you need YAHELITE ~ you will log in, then select OPTIONS, then PM and PERSONAL, then set pm options.... set friends only, away acceptance, and the favorite! the magic word section.. where i set my special message to those who pm.....

 other chat info...

• MSN    

• PALTALK   

• EXCITE  

Quick Links

YahElite

YChat

Cheeta chat

YahElite log in fix

OLD client log in fix

Fake clients and wanna be programs abound... be careful!!  nuff said?  There are a few other clients out there, but not currently reviewed here. Got a new client? want it reviewed and added? send us the download link ( must be functional link, must not be a beta client, and submit it once ~ spammers will get spanked)

mac page for mac client info including MiChat and Charla

NO YAHOO VOICE 4 MACS ~ they do have cams on messenger

new to yahoo from irc? or considering trying irc? check c_techies great yahoo/irc comparison pages :)

please note any info here is based on my downloads, my crappy comp with a seemingly negative ram factor, and a dial up connection. * am on cable now.... still stand my reviews.... * if something works better for you....great :) i have used all  of these and feel confident in recommending use of any of them.