A Virtual Exit » Messenger Tweaks http://www.avirtualexit.com Social Networks,Tech Tips Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:07:42 +0000 en hourly 1 Getting started with AIM Express http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/18/aim-express/ http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/18/aim-express/#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:55:45 +0000 Gili http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/18/aim-express/ How to launch and get started with AIM Express.

AIM (AOL Instant Messaging) is one of the most popular messenger services. AIM can be used either via the standard desktop client that you install on your Windows PC or via AIM Express (formerly known as AIM Quick Buddy) , a web based version of AIM that allows you to interact with your contacts without the need to install the AIM client on your PC. This is useful in cases you are are using a public computer (while traveling, at school etc’) or if your Windows permissions doesn’t allow you to install software on the PC you are using.

Here’s how you can get started with AIM Express:

  1. Go to the AIM Express launch page.
  2. If you don’t have a screen name for AIM Express (or AIM) get one, if not enter your screen name and password.
  3. The web interface of AIM Express will pop up. In case your browser runs a pop up blocker, you might need to either disable it or add *.aimexpress.aol.com and aimexpress.aol.com domain to the allowed white list.

AIM Express runs on the following browsers :

  • Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
  • Mozilla Firefox 1.4 and later
  • Netscape 7.1 and later
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]]> http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/18/aim-express/feed/ 1 Where to find and how to install emoticons for MSN ? http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/13/where-to-find-and-how-to-install-emoticons-for-msn/ http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/13/where-to-find-and-how-to-install-emoticons-for-msn/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:38:03 +0000 Gili http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/13/where-to-find-and-how-to-install-emoticons-for-msn/ I use Windows Messenger (or one of its later versions) since years ago. Although Google Talk is more accessible since it’s integrated with GMail, it’s clear that MSN Messenger (now Live Messenger) , is a more mature product and by its nature as a desktop product, offers a superior feature set.
One of those cool features Messenger has is the fact it allows the user to customize his/her emoticons for MSN. Not many people know that they can search the web and find extra cool emoticons that they can later install and use in interactions with their contacts.

In a Web Messaging context, an emoticon is pretty much a graphical file (generally a *.gif file), that you can display by clicking a seria of characters.

So where you can find custom emoticons for MSN ?

Granted, you can create your own custom emoticon using an imaging processing tool. But if creativity is not your strongest side (or you need your emoticon asap) , you can look into the following web sites and find a nice emoticon:


How to install a custom emoticon in your MSN messenger ?

  • Find and download your emoticon to a folder in your computer. Save it in a directory you designate for your custom emoticons for MSN.
  • Open Live Messenger and make sure you are logged in.
  • From the top bar menu, click Tools and choose Emoticons. If for some reason you don’t see your top bar menu, click the Alt button.
  • Click the Create button. The Add Custom Emoticon window will open up.


    • MSN

  • Click the Find button, and select the file you saved.
  • Now, assign a shortcut to your custom emoticon
  • Assign a name to your emoticon.
  • Click OK

Voila,your new emoticon for MSN is now available to be used when chatting with friends :)

]]> http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/08/13/where-to-find-and-how-to-install-emoticons-for-msn/feed/ 2 How to change the Yahoo messenger password ? http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/07/01/how-to-change-the-yahoo-messenger-password/ http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/07/01/how-to-change-the-yahoo-messenger-password/#comments Sun, 01 Jul 2007 15:06:32 +0000 Gili http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/07/01/how-to-change-the-yahoo-messenger-password/ Two days ago, i provided a quick overview on how to change your MSN Messenger password, so today is Yahoo Messenger’s turn.

Note that when you change your Yahoo Messenger password, you will actually modify your Yahoo ID password. The Yahoo ID is used to login to all Yahoo services you subscribed to, such as: Mail, Photos, 360 Blogs, My Yahoo and Yahoo Business Services.

If you forgot the password for Yahoo messenger:

1. Open Yahoo Messenger, then click Forgot Your Password, then click Forget your ID or password? or alternatively go directly to the Yahoo ID Password Recovery page.

2. Fill you Yahoo ID and click on Continue.

3. Fill the required details at the Confirm your Identity section.

4. Click Get New Password.

5. Follow the provided instructions.

 If you remember your password and just want to change it:

1.  Login to your My Yahoo page.

2.  Click My Account.

3. If prompted, enter your current password.

4. Click Change Password.

5. Follow the provided instructions.

]]> http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/07/01/how-to-change-the-yahoo-messenger-password/feed/ 8 How to change your Messenger Password ? http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/29/how-to-change-your-messenger-password/ http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/29/how-to-change-your-messenger-password/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:50:46 +0000 Gili http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/29/how-to-change-your-messenger-password/ Lately, a colleague asked me about the steps to take in order to change a Windows live messenger password that he had forgotten. Apparently, due to the recent Microsoft re-branding of its messenger service,there is a lack of clarity regarding the exact procedure that needs to be applied, so i would like to use this opportunity to clarify a bit.

First, remember that changing your MSN (Live) messenger password,  will change your login credentials to any service that uses the .NET passport to login, such as hotmail (now Live mail), MSN communities, MSDN etc’, as well as to websites like Expedia.

OK, so here are the simple steps to change your MSN password:

1. Navigate to the Windows Live Account Password Reset page. This page is also accessed by clicking Forgot your Password from the Live Messenger login window.

2. Enter your Windows Live ID. This is actually your Hotmail/MSN id (someone@somewhere.com)

3. Type the 6 characters in the picture you are shown

4. Click Continue

5. Select Send password reset instructions to me in e-mail.

6. Follow the instructions in the email you just received.

That’s it. Enjoy!

[tags] Live Messenger, MSN Messenger, Change MSN Messenger Password [/tags]

]]> http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/29/how-to-change-your-messenger-password/feed/ 13 Where to find your new AIM buddy sound ? http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/01/aim-buddy-sounds/ http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/01/aim-buddy-sounds/#comments Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:36:08 +0000 Gili http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/01/where-to-find-a-new-aim-buddy-sound/ AIM Buddy sounds and how to implement them

I have been having fun with AIM (AOL Instant Messaging) lately. After downloading version 6.1, i decided to customized it a bit. Initially i chose a free custom AIM expression for my buddy icon, then i modified my buddy wallpaper, and  finally i replaced the default AIM buddy sound with an extra cool one.

Many AIM users doesn’t seem to be aware that they can use any *.wav file as a their free AIM buddy sound. However, based on previous experience, finding a nice free *.wav file can be challenging.  Therefore i prepared the following list of useful web sites from which you can download a free *.wav sound file that you can later use with AOL IM. So here are the best web sites you can download sounds for AIM from:

How to change your AIM buddy sound ?

  • Find a *.wav file in one of the aforementioned websites.
  • Download the file to any folder in your computer.
  • Open AIM.
  • Click Edit, then choose Settings.
  • Navigate to the Sounds tab.
  • In the IM & Chat sound section, use the Browse button to choose the *.wav file you loaded as your favorite buddy sound (repeat this step for both sending and receiving IMs).
  • Click Save , then click Apply

Important Note: In order to be able to play your AIM buddy sound, your buddy must be running AIM version 8.0 or higher and set his Buddy List preferences to play other member’s sounds.
[tags] AIM buddy sound, AIM free buddy sound, AIM sound [/tags]

]]> http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/06/01/aim-buddy-sounds/feed/ 15 Free expressions for your AIM http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/05/31/free-expressions-for-aim/ http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/05/31/free-expressions-for-aim/#comments Thu, 31 May 2007 11:17:11 +0000 Gili http://www.avirtualexit.com/2007/05/31/free-expressions-for-aim/ Lately, I have have been playing with AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). One things that caught my attention was the huge selection of free expressions that you can use in order to customize you AIM buddy icon, buddy wallpaper and sounds.

Changing expressions is quite easy:

  • From AIM, click Edit the click Expressions
  • The My AOL page will open up. Go to the My Personality section. Here you can change your Buddy Icon, Wallpaper, Sounds and Smileys
  • Click the relevant Change button.
  • Select a Category and a sub Category. The available icons will show up

  • Highlight a buddy/sound/wallpaper of choice and click Apply
  • The selected expression will be automatically applied to your AIM.

Other option is to make your own aim expression. In case you choose this option, please make sure you have a 48*48 .JPG/.PNG picture that you can use

Important Tip: Some of the available expressions can be displayed only with the newer AIM clients (5.9 and up). In case your buddy doesn’t see the buddy icon or buddy wallpaper you have chosen, quite probably he/she will need to upgrade their AIM client to a newer version.

[tags] AIM, Expressions, Free Expressions [/tags]

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