Getting Set UpSoftware

Sure, e-mail is a great way to connect with friends and family. It's free, quick, and best of all it's easy. However, much like sending a letter through the mail, with e-mail you usually have to wait awhile for a response. What if you could chat with someone, much like you do on the phone, and get a response back in an instant?

Instant messaging, or IM, lets you have conversations like this with friends and family anywhere in the world, and you won't have to cash in the kids' college tuition to cover phone bills. It only takes a few minutes to set up and you can choose from many IM providers. Best of all, you can even add free video chat (if you have a Webcam) or voice chat (with a headset or microphone) for a truly phone-like experience, all without having to pay for it!

Finding an IM program is easy. Chances are you already have an e-mail account with one of the companies that provide IM-like Yahoo!, Google, AOL, or MSN. We'll provide you with a list of IM options you can consider. To show you how the installation process works, we chose Windows* Live Messenger because it has text, voice, and video-chat features, plus a brilliantly designed interface.

Tip! Not all instant messaging programs work together. Find out what your friends and family are using before you choose, or make sure to invite them to use the program you're using!

Getting Started

1. Go to http://get.live.com, and then on the menu that displays, click Messenger.
2. Click the Get it free button. A pop-up window to download the Windows Live software displays.
3. To start the extraction process, choose Run. Depending on your connection speed, expect this to take just a few minutes.
4. You may then get an Internet Explorer* security warning asking if you're absolutely positive you want to install this program? If you do receive this pop-up, choose Run to display the Install Windows Live Messenger window.
5. Follow the directions on each screen, such as accepting the end-user agreement, and adding any additional features you might want included in the installation such as shortcuts on your desktop.
6. The Windows Live has been installed successfully! message will appear. To launch Windows Live, click Close.
7. To start chatting, you need a Windows Live ID (a Hotmail e-mail address). If you don't already have one, you can sign up for one using the Windows Live ID link at the bottom of the new Windows Live login pop-up window. It's a one page sign-up process–the only thing you have to do is come up with a creative screen name that your friends and family will use to contact you.

Caution! During the installation process, you may end up with new settings or new software you don't want. To avoid this, make sure to deselect the boxes of the additional features you don't want during the "Choose additional features and settings" portion of the installation process.

Now log in and get to chatting! After you've logged in with your Windows Live ID and password, you can start adding friends who already have Windows Live, or you can invite them to download the software. You can even enter your friend's mobile number and send them a text message to their phone!

Once you're a chatting aficionado, you might want to play around with some of these additional features:

• Send emoticons (emotional icons like :) or :( or :|) when you're chatting! They're fun, and they quickly communicate the emotion you're feeling at the time.
• Set up a chatting party line! It's a great way to connect with multiple family members and friends, such as during the holidays if you can't get together in person!
• Use a microphone or Webcam and give the typing a rest! Better than a phone, with a Webcam you can actually see the person you're chatting with!

Whether you use IM for work, play, or both, you can really get creative in how you communicate with friends, family, and coworkers. And it's never been more fun! Including video and audio in the mix can provide that "like you're there" feeling no matter where you are in the world! Stay connected, get chatting!