ALEXIUSCA  An updated version of Yahoo! Messenger for Mac 3.0 is now available.

This latest version includes a fix for a sign-in issue that some users have been experiencing. When we tested this latest version with some of those users, they found that it did correct their problem.  
(Version 3.0b192773)

ARYA  the webcam is not working on my mac (MB404, early 2008). just pitch black. So i keep using the previous version though it is also buggy (the webcam will be off after a certain period automatically....)

anybody knows why Yahoo is (so) slow on YM for mac?  
(Version 3.0b191946)

ALBABE  I'm having trouble staying connected for even a few minutes tonight... It might be a coincidence and maybe Yahoo is having trouble with their servers.  
(Version 3.0b191946)

BPG131313  I'm using this version on 10.6 and have had no problems with it at all. No delays, no spinning beach balls, nothing. Sorry to hear other people are having problems, but it's working fine for me on my Mac Pro.  
(Version 3.0b191946)

RAY16  I'm still using 10.3.9 last build....none of the versions work, what gives???  
(Version 3.0b191946)

ROBERTCOOGAN  Current version won't launch - always crashes.  
(Version 3.0b191946)

MACDRIVER  dont install with 10.6 all you get is the spinning beach ball  
(Version 3.0b191946)

ALBABE  New version 3.0 beta 4 (178870) is available as of 6-5-09  
(Version 3.0b4.156957)

BRENTB  New version out that fixes the crashing after updating to 10.5.7.  
(Version 3.0b4.156957)

BOUSOZOKU  Beta 4 = year 4 of the version 3 beta. I realise that it's only 2009 but could you please finish it before this computer is no longer functional?

I was given a Windows machine and Yahoo! Messenger has had 3 versions (7, 8, and 9) since I got the machine in 2006. Sad to say, but I've tried the Linux version and it's worse off than the Mac OS X version.

Any hopes for a finished release in 2009?  
(Version 3.0b4.156957)

CLAUCLAU  It would have been easier and quicker for Yahoo to co operate with Apple way before than Google, as Yahoo has valuable designers and services are intuitive and unified all over what they acquire.

But when it comes to Mac, here comes the problems:

-slow application,

-Cpu hungry

-when disconnected/connected HUD appears all the time,

-no file transfer on msn users,

-nor avatars,

-sometimes I write to yahoo users and they also don't get the messages as well.

-Big MSN incompatibility warning shows up ahead every time message session begins.

-No Multilanguage support: I even proposed to translate it, can't care less. World is flat and starts from NYC and ends to LA as usual.

-No video Multi chat support like iChat.

-no screensharing

-no avatar drag and drop (must go to preferences)

-no multi avatar window pops up

That's all for now folks.  
(Version 3.0b4.156957)

MAX72118  Do not download this version!!! Stick with what you've got. This one is the devil's baby. I'm running MacOS 10.5.4 and this version does not work.  
(Version 3.0b3.126432)

CASTLE ROSE  WOW, This really is a fix to the issues with v3b3 (98855)

Stealth Settings works again, Yahoo!

Sending files with non-alphanumeric characters in the name works again. Yahoo!

The problems with video chat freezing are still there but that's most-likely a problem with the Y! servers.

I don't have any memory issues on my old PB G4.

Even with a video chat it varies between 15% and 25% CPU. That's not bad. Maybe Intel code is different.

If you have found that the last 2 previous updates broke more than they fixed, THIS is the update for you.   
(Version 3.0b3.120437)

DARTH BROOKS  Still sucks up all available CPU. Unusable as is.  
(Version 3.0b3.120437)

ALBABE  I've been using this with 10.4.11 for a while... no probs... a little slow, which is usually cured by a restart. (I have been told it's because of the logging all the chats).

I installed 10.5.3... The ap is so slow now... after a few minutes in a chat room, the letters type in interminably slow... one... at... a ... time...  
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

OSXI  Why does the chat window auto scroll back to the top (the first part of the conversation) after every entry? So I've got to manually scroll down every time I want to read what was just written...  
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

ECHOROB  When i enter a room via /join adelaide locals:1 i enter the room but no one in the room can see me. It's so fustrating. The adelaide rooms do not show up in the room list   
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

AGGO  Well, it's better the previous couple of builds. Still sucks compared to Yahoo Messenger for PC though.   
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

TIM.DEHRING  Holy crap. I will send a screenshot if needed. When I go to About Yahoo Messenger, I get 98855. Yes, Get Info on the app reveals 98006. Sorry.  
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

TIM.DEHRING  Works as advertised. Don't care about the build number as long as it works. Thanks! Now, just get this out of beta :)  
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

MACUPDATE ADMIN  Although this new version is purported to be and is listed as being 3.0b3 build 98855, a 'Get Info' command issued against the downloaded application shows it to be 3.0b3 build 98006 as of this posting.  
(Version 3.0b3.98855)

C MOI  Guys, this is a Beta. Beta software may crash. But hey, it's free and they allow us to use it, why not?  
(Version 3.0b3.98006)

SIMONM  Seems to no longer work with MSN contacts. Slow pace of development leads me to consider an alternative client.  
(Version 3.0b2.78326)

MACMASTERS  Crashes ALOT! Leopard  
(Version 3.0b2.78326)

JEFF H.  They call this "video support"? Did they run a webcam and see how it looked and then released it as "video support"?.

It looks like 5-8 FPS...totally useless as a vid-chat app.

The text part is as good or bad as any other for my uses, but the deal-breaker is the lack of any usable video chatting.  
(Version 3.0b2.78326)

MACMASTERS  Crashes all the time. More so than the previous vertion in Lepard  
(Version 3.0b2.78326)

GEEKBOX  Crashes when I try to run this program running leopard  
(Version 3.0b2.78326)

MAIL21  Just wondering...wouldn't it be soo much easier (and better for all of us) if Apple and Yahoo! just worked together on this and implemented Yahoo! messenger compatibility in iChat...?!? Oh well, one can dream...  
(Version 3.0b2.78326)

BJMONKEY  My cam is so unstable on this version, is there any way to get hold of previous versions?

I was daft enough to override my old version :(  
(Version 3.0b2.75170)

CASTLE ROSE  Wow, 2 updates in 2 weeks. There finally making some progress on this. It's about time!  
(Version 3.0b2.75170)

A J BENAMU  It lost communication with WLM.  
(Version 3.0b2.75170)

NICOLASD  it's a beta so it has bugs, but it's SUCH a perfect Mac OS X app in terms of look and feel, ease of use. more pleasant than Adium, if less capable.

the developer's doing an awesome job!  
(Version 3.0b2.75170)

SYED ALI  I was still using b1 version due to bugs with the b2 version. But for some reason b1 client stopped connecting to yahoo services about a week ago. I finally broke down and upgraded to b2 and now it's working. Anyone else having this issue ?  
(Version 3.0b2)

MYSTICALOS  Yahoo! Messenger Version 3.0 beta 2 (build 65474)

Fatal Bugs:

1. Crash when joining a second chat room with a different sub profile than first chatroom while first chat room is still open.

2. Hang when loading an extremely long chat from message archive, app never recovers because for some reason once it finally finishes loading it, then it asks it to refresh, and starts to reload the thing all over again, endlessly.

3. Unable to scroll the list of chatters in chatrooms. no horizontal scroll bar. so only able to view chatters that fit in current window size. Also usernames should always be visible not just a mouse-over.

4. Ignore those not on buddy-list ignores all users in chat since chat follows same privacy behavior of PMs (after all, it's just a chatroom thrown into a PM window)

5. Cannot invite just one person in room to cam, clicking webcam icon invites ENTIRE room to cam. this is a critical critical bug.

6. Webcam connections are less reliable than b1, the bug fixes to reliability made things worse. Constant dropping of cams both viewing and transmitting, it will appear as it's still on but will have dropped connection to server and dropped other part from viewing or you from receiving images...it actually shows up as "user stopped broadcasting"

7. Unable to view a users cam without adding them to buddy-list or if they send an invite. But there is no possible way to request a webcam unless user is on buddy-list. This is a critical bug with chatroom support present.

8. Chat becomes laggy and spikes cpu usage and beach-balls some once history gets very long. It should auto purge old chat data like PC counter part does to avoid same problem. Messenger will be slowed to a crawl after a few hours in chat.

Other Bugs

1. Time stamps in chat room don't show properly unless disabled and then re-enabled.

2, App may show wrong avatar on sign-in screen.

3. PM windows and chat windows observe bad horizontal scroll bar behavior from very long hyperlinks. hyperlink doesn't get properly text wrapped to margins of the conversation window and causes horizontal scroll bars to appear.

4. File transfer dialog (embedded in PM) does not clear after file transfer has finished until after a LONG delay.

5 People invited to cam show up on the viewers list but what if more than one person is invited, how to tell which ones are viewing and what ones are not if they are all on list and cam window only says "2 users invited" also when someone is invited it no longer shows number of viewers. UI needs some tweaking on these issues.

6. Buddy-list does not honor address-book entries for MSN Live usernames that are in address-book on yahoo like PC counterpart does.

7. Mac Messenger still erases address book entry for a user added to buddy-list whom an entry already exists for on address-book server. Entry should be updated not overwritten.

8. During heavy internet lag (ISP was having issues, major latency) Yahoo Messenger would take a LOT longer to launch, several bounces on both macs (intel and ppc). Unusual being the lag should affect connecting not app launch(unless app automatically checks for updates during launch?). On same note, app has unpleasant beach-ball when choosing to connect during same lag. App should remain responsive in case you want to cancel or something. Rather than having to force it closed.

9. Text may not wrap when typing a message that exceeds first type line. When this happens you will no longer be able to see your text you are typing.

10. Message archive saves folders for all users encountered in chat, including bots and non friends while you are in room. At time of chat logger empty folders are purged however, but they shouldn't be created in first place if users didn't actually PM. (again, client unable to differentiate PM behavior from Chatroom behavior since Chat is using same conversationview.nib. Also very after clearing spam PMs from bots, the bot folder cannot be deleted from message archive it has to be manually purged from application support\yahoo\message archive directory.

11. Chatroom always displays original roomname you first joined. It will not reflect new room names when you change to different rooms.

12. /join, /think, etc commands not supported in chat but essential for basic function of chat without having to dig through

Most requested features:

1. Cam window detached as an option. Buddy-list integration should not be forced.

2. Webcam viewer window statistics, the Sub bar that 2.5.3 had, time of last image received etc.

3. Color fades/effects on OUR typing not just buddies.

4. Ability to disable nicknames/Actual Names in Chatrooms (separate from PMs)  
(Version 3.0b2)

KPS  Yahoo Messenger for the Mac lags so woefully far behind the Windows version that this poor quality update is more insult than improvement. The captcha issue is beyond annoying and the entire program still lacks the vast majority of features Windows users have had for years. While the poor stability issue may be due to it being a beta, the entire effort is such useless crap that the release version can't possibly be worth the effort to download it. Stay FAR away from this dog. Yahoo doesn't give a rat's ass about Macs and this worthless app shows it.  
(Version 3.0b2)

TOMIS  So Yahoo finally gives Mac user chat room support. And it's a complete joke.

You have to go to their website to fill in a "captcha" each time you join a room. Every single time you change rooms, they give you a link that you have to go to to fill in the "captcha". Completely asinine.

And to top it off, the "user list" for chat rooms consists of a row of horizontal icons of all the users in the room, you have to mouse-over the icons to see the user names. I suppose if you go around adding everyone to your buddy-list this is good as you can see their custom user icons. But in practice it means you have a row of generic icons. Just give us a normal list of user names!

Oh, yea this version also ads tabbed chat. But they still haven't fixed innumerable other problems that make the yahoo chat/IM experience too painful to use. Back to Adium.  
(Version 3.0b2)

MACMASTERS  The chat room option is nice to have for sure. Having to type in security codes are a pain each time you enter a new room kinda sucks and I dont seem to find anywhere you can see who all is in the room  
(Version 3.0b2)

SPUDBOY  It's getting better. I like it better then Adium. Adium has to many options. Makes a persons head explode.  
(Version 3.0b2)

SUPER_A  Death to Yahoo.  
(Version 3.0b1r4)

QUAZAR  The size is exactly the same, the errors, crashes and all misbehaves !!

And worse of all, they didn't bother to change the build number, that's bloody funny !

Watchout Yahoo, Apple updates a huge software called MAC OS X every other month and for about 6 months u did nothing !!!  
(Version 3.0b1r4)

ROG  It still crashes just as often! The only reason I start it up is to quickly log into Yahoo Mail.  
(Version 3.0b1r4)

MYSTICALOS  There is no difference. r2 r3 and r4 are identical 100%.

After doing extensive comparing I found that the ONLY thing changed is r3 changed the license agreement disclaimer when mounting DMG, however it had a mistake in it. it linked to windows messenger EULA page, so r4 fixed the disclaimer to link to mac messenger page instead. But aside from DMG image being modified with a new disclaimer, the actual app itself is a perfect duplicate. Pointless to download or replace your r2 with it since it's still r2 app.  
(Version 3.0b1r4)

MYSTICAL  Can anyone tell me what is new in this release, I can't seem to find any.  
(Version 3.0b1r4)

DAIYI  I really would like to use this beta version (perpetual beta) but it often has problems accessing the Yahoo server and will never receive a cross platform webcam broadcast.

Thus, I have to resort to 2.5.3, which is just so much harder to look at.

Will this ever be updated and will it work properly?   
(Version 3.0b1r2)

JOOOLZG  I just purchased a brand new Macbook. Is there any program, ANYTHING, that allows me to use my built in webcam, with people that are on PC's Messenger. Even if I can't hear them, don't care!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

MOEBIAN73  I havent had any problems with my Yahoo IM. I dunno why all you guys are fussin over it. It works for me just fine. The only thing I can't seem to do is look at the chat logs. How do I do that?  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

LILWOLFY629  what application programs can i install to use yahoo messenger? i have it downloaded and i can't launch it at all. please reply back too me so i can get yahoo messenger working...   
(Version 3.0b1r2)

RUSSELL GLEASON  I agree with ALBABE. You still can't even get into the chatrooms even with this "new version" of yahoo messenger. It's a joke. Yahoo needs a mac software developer who knows what he's doing.  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

ABRAHAM IRAWAN  i thought it was just me having this problem, can't login to yahoo messenger anymore except i select behind firewall, which is i don't use firewall, and when i use PC version YM working

this version of yahoo is useless, coz when u select behind firewall it will connect but it will stay like ghost, u seems online but u're not, every 5 minutes i have to quit and reconnect, suck

btw i followed parsleymorris tips, still can't get this beast working

yahoo u should fix this please  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

PARSLEYMORRIS  Ah, I've found a solution now... if you type 'Yahoo Messenger' into Spotlight and delete all the .plist files that come up, then it should work fine again! :)  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

PARSLEYMORRIS  I've had exactly the same problem as Dr Syn and Mandarini. It all worked fine (I was using it for about 2 months) until yesterday when I couldn't sign in.. The pinwheel just rotates continuously and refuses to let me enter...  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

ALBABE  It's nice to have a developer make a few cursory comments in here... but... Big Deal. 5 months and this Crap App is still a beta?

This "new" version has less features than the 3 YEAR old last version!!!

Sheeeesh... talk about feeling like a second class citizen...  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

VEGGIEDUDE  I have to downgrade my earlier review, because I have found that the software doesn't seem to work properly with the PC client. My work mates don;t see me online or they can't see my IM's or both. To workaround this, I had to switch to Fire, which works flawlessly.  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

DR.SYN  Well, I have exactly the same problem as Mandarini......The program worked fine for about three weeks, and then refused to open. I also re-installed with no improvement.

Has anyone else had the problem, or have a solution?  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

MANDARINI  Well, Mac is nice nad easy to use...but I am having a problem with the Yahoo Messenger Beta Version. I have been using it for a month with my MacBook, but yesterday when I tried to log in, the application quit unexpectedly. I tried to reopen ot, but it didn't work. I have re-installed it, but the problem persists.

I am really upset on this....but as a whole this messenger is COOL, and the features are great, it's just that this small problem disturbs.

Any suggestions? Comments on this?  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

VEGGIEDUDE  I think the Mac version is far superior to the PC version. Why would I want to have adverts displaying on my screen? Give me a break! The Mac version is more professional looking and is not littered with ads, I hope it stays this way but something tells me that won't be the case.  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

ALBABE  As jbohn has already reported... this is NOT a new version. It's been around for a few weeks in all it's pathetic inept glory.

C'mon Yahoo, give us Mac users a break. MysticalOS (Adam Williams) below has an enormous list of crap that Yahoo has done nothing about.

It's also got serious privacy flaws as younkint has already stated:

http://www.macfixit.com/index.php?date=2006-08-10

and this: http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/393195

While my problems aren't as lengthy as some... here's my major buggaboos:

No "Ignore" Button

No "Show Profile" Button

No ability to "Save copy"

And nothing like 2.5.3's "Command K" ... that used to show all that's been typed in conversation

No Ability to Join Yahoo Chat Rooms

No "See Others Cam" button or pull down  
(Version 3.0b1r2)

KCMOGAL  Does anyone know of a chat client for mac users that supports Yahoo chat rooms???  
(Version 3.0b1)

KWMARTINI  could someone please help me have some fun. I'm a MAC and downloaded the 3.0 beta 1 version of yahoo! messenger with voice. I don't get to use all the fun stuff like my PC friends do. On my mac message window, I don't even have fun function icons like Audibles and such. I only have one token icon, which is the emoicon. and I don't have a phone icon to invite or receive invitation to voice chat. I only get to see my buddies on the webcam and type in the IM. :( some tips? email : kwmartini@yahoo.com thanks a bunch.  
(Version 3.0b1)

PATDDFAN1  This is a long overdue update to Yahoo IM, but it is very similar to Adium (except that you can't talk to anyone using AIM, and MSN messenger support is coming soon!) otherwise, it is good that Yahoo finally updated the Mac version. the PC version has more features, so there will probably be several updates coming soon, cause Mac users still can't access yahoo's "chat room" function, and it will also need to be universal (ppc/intel) before they can call it Yahoo Messenger 3.0!  
(Version 3.0b1)

MYSTICALOS  Also sent to email address of course and i know it's been read. I'm posting here not for developer but perhaps so others can help reproduce some of them to get more in the "reproducable" catagory. :)

System Info:

Powermac G4 733digital audio with upgrades(frankenmac):

1.5GB ram

2ghz powerlogix 7447 processor card

ATTO Express PCI with 36GB 10krpm scsi-160 drive

Geforce 4 Titanium 128MB VRAM

Ultra-Tek133P+ card with 200GB ATA133 drive

10.4.7 PPC, all software up to date.

------------------------------------------

MacBook Pro 15"

2.16ghz intel core duo

2GB Ram

100GB SATA 7200-rpm drive.

10.4.7 Intel, all software up to date.

Boot-Camp Beta 1

Windows XP Professional SP2 with ALL updates installed.

Yahoo! Messenger 7.5.0.819 for windows Yahoo! testing.

----------------------------------------------------

ISP: Alltel DSL 15MB down 368 up.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Severe bugs labeled with a *

Bugs:

Reproducible:

1. Webcam statistics do not continue to update after a viewer is allowed to view cam, stats stop once a cam invite is sent to someone and they begin viewing.

2. Buddy-list doesn't always refresh best when a mobile user logs out. manual refresh (command-r) no longer present in this beta either. Improving refresh or giving user manual refresh back(recommended) would be nice.

*3. Private messages do not work when using HTTP proxy mode(behind firewall) for connection.

*4. There is no easy way to ignore a user who is harassing. IE a toolbar button or even a menu command. the ONLY way to ignore a user is to open prefs and manually type in their yahoo id, meanwhile all while they PM bomb or do other harassing things. A shortcut to ignore someone is ESSENTIAL and therefor the lack of is a bug not a feature request.

5. Text is not all drag and dropable in all areas. Touchy where you click to drag it. Has to be on text, not a bubble screen name header. Avatars also get dragged or copied to clipboard when using select all.

6. The ichat style white/blue background colors on buddy-list show a cosmetic bug when looking closely. In ichat, each buddy group ALWAYS starts with white. Regardless of last color used in previous buddy group. Cosmetically, it doesn't look quite right on Yahoo! Messenger because it's not universal with iChat.

7. If you mouse-over area where time-stamps are supposed to be (but they are disabled) the time-stamp shows but the drawing is kind of funny and makes text jump around. Not sure if it's a bug or intentional but reporting just in case.

Unable to Reproduce:

*1. I noticed one of my ID's is completely blocked from signing into yahoo messenger 3.0b1, but it signs in fine with 2.5.3 as well as PC 7.5.0.819. On SAME computer, signing in on two other accounts works. it's only "mysticalosm" that indefinitely tries connecting and fails unless i choose firewalled. Which doesn't make sense. My other buddy-lists were able to show id online so i IMed it, sure enough i was able to exchange not only IMs but cam with this id. The messenger client just never realized id was signed in and never updated buddy-list or menu commands to reflect it. it was completely online but THOUGHT it was still connecting indefinitely. I thought I had found a solution by enabling/disabling buddy-list animation but this only worked ONCE...To this moment I have found NO way to get mysticalosm online again besides reverting to 2.5.3 or using PC 7.5 in boot camp.

UPDATE: Further investigating showed it was resolved by logging in and editing buddy-list (removing buddies awaiting authorization is what i did) while on HTTP proxy, then login on normal setting again works again for now.

2. Got an erratic behavior when trying to view cams, would make cam noise but NEVER attempt to connect to cam or even show a cam window. if a user invited me I'd also never see invite just hear cam noise and never get anything..Was only solved by deleting prefs file.

3. Buddy-list sometimes has UI issues. IE clicking ANYWHERE on it will open someone's "I'm mobile" url even if i clicked no where near it. This is only fixed by a relaunch of client. Another encountered UI issue, one time when cam was open it looked like the down arrow was stuck. the highlight cursor kept scrolling down buddy-list indefinitely even if i clicked, pressed up etc...had to relaunch this time too.

4. Sorting list by name/availability doesn't seem to be working, seems to only sort by name either way. (This only occurred with initial use, haven't been able to reproduce)

5. Possible ichat or yahoo messenger possible bug. I have ichat using custom sounds but when yahoo is open, ichat starts using regular sounds again.

6. Disconnects frequently on both wireless and wired connections on PPC and Intel Mac when no other programs are effected of which include amsn, ichat (Connected to aim and googletalk), and icq.

*7. A user was viewing my cam first. Sent me an invite to her cam. When i began to view her cam, she stopped seeing my image and instead my cam was actually broadcasting hers back to her. She was invisible when this happened as well as on PC Yahoo Messenger. Unknown steps to reproduce but definitely a serious bug.

Features:

*Major feature request.

1. Ability to disable nickname/full-name display and use yahoo id's only.

2. Ability to use classic sound sets if we don't like the new ichat inspired ones.

3. Tabbed IMs, ever used Chax for ichat? you'll learn to not live without it. Might also get more feature suggestions there ;)

4. Cam window detached as an option. Buddy-list integration should not be forced.

5. An easier way to adjust fonts/colors than by right clicking in text field or using menu-bar.

6. Classic IM format, Not everyone likes the way ichat does it. Ichat lets you make bubbles clear and put names on left etc to resemble classic format. We need that too as users..

7. Yahoo! 7.x or higher smiley set. the more 3d and better colors ones..as well as the new ones.

http://www.wackyb.co.nz/Yahoo_v7.5/

8. Some web-pages/forums use the improper yahoo:// handler instead of ymsgr like they are supposed to, most apps like adium and my 2.5.3 patch added it as a handler type too just so people can't complain and blame the program for not handling the url wrong..

9. Webcam viewer window statistics, the Sub bar that 2.5.3 had, time of last image received etc.

10. Seems to use address-book entries and yahoo address-book entries. But if you got an entry in yahoo address book that isn't in apples address-book. Should be able to save it to apples ;)

11. Brushed metal is ugly! Don't make me edit the nib files to get rid of it. A pref is very easy to code for this.

12. Color fades/effects on OUR typing not just buddies.

*13. Chat rooms. sure you heard these enough but it is a gimmie. Even if OS X doesn't have DSP truevoice built into OS do to licensing issues..can still have voiceless chat.

14. Ability to view a profile of someone that's not on list. Where you type in users name. Same with view a cam. IE "View Webcam..." "View Profile ..."

15. Voice chat. DSP truevoice for conferences/chat rooms last I knew still had licensing issues with Microsoft's right to codec in their OS and plus no Mac implementation of codec since OS 9's classic player. However Call voip protocol uses a different codec doesn't it? I can see that making it to a mac client.

*16. Menu consolidation. Too many menu's, I lose my plaxo and weather menu's on the PPC mac. Intel mac is wide screen so it's fine.

Last updated 07-09-06  
(Version 3.0b1)

LEXICON5  Buggy buggy buggy. Some features are cool some no so much. The main issue I'm having is not receiving any off-line or some cases, on-line messages. Also, I can be in the middle of a chat and they just stop receiving my messages thinking I logged off without saying anything.

Needs a LOT of work...  
(Version 3.0b1)

MENGTECK71  There is no funcstion of preferece to allow proxy setting... sigh  
(Version 3.0b1)

COMPLEX_PERSON  So far this works well. I have not had any problems with it, yes its missing stuff (its beta), but it works and is stable.  
(Version 3.0b1)

ALBABE  This is a beta... Yahoo took 3 years to support Mac since the last Yahoo Msngr and will probably change this from beta to an actual "real" application in, maybe... 3 years. This app is a piece of crap.

No Yahoo Chat Room support!!!

Most chat-friends can't invite you to their cam.

My cam still won't work on Yahoo.

When you get a message from someone, there is no button or "pull-down" to show their Yahoo Profile (Was "Command I" in last piece-o-crap version).

No button to refresh the chat window, so as to get all of what has been typed before (in the last version it was "Command K."

No button to IGNORE jerks who won't leave you alone (You can access an ignore menu from preferences... but it doesn't work!!!)

Can't SAVE anything in a chat window any more (It did in last Mac version)  
(Version 3.0b1)

ETNIER  If you sometimes choose to save the text of your IM conversations, this release will not work for you. That function has been removed from this release.

Also: this release was unable to remember my login preferences: those relating to whether to save my password and to log in invisibly. This can represent compromised security for some users.

Finally, the pulldown list of user names which appears at launch is broken in this release. Login names must be typed in manually.  
(Version 3.0b1)

MYSTICALOS  Heh, open package contents and locate release notes.html. note the part at bottom.

"We welcome your Beta feedback at messengerformacbeta@yahoo.com

Coming soon: IM with your Windows Live (MSN) Messenger friends

The next Beta will include voice!"  
(Version 3.0b1)

TOMIS  It's a step in the right direction. But it's basically just a new face on the old messenger. There's still no Yahoo! Chat support, still no voice.

At least there's someone working on it again, so maybe the Mac version will finally catch up to the PC version's feature list.  
(Version 3.0b1)

MACUSER25  Finally!! An update to yahoo IM. Mac users have been on the back burner for years, while the PC version steadily was updated!!

I agree with others on how easy to use and sleek the new 3.0 is. We now have Avatar support and much better webcam support. The look reminds me of an iChat client. Very Mac-ish...lol. Simply put: I like it!  
(Version 3.0b1)

MACD  I will echo the other reviewer saying "Wow!". Absolutely fantastic software. Slick and polished to the death. Fantastic. Now if I only had any friends on Yahoo Messenger... :/  
(Version 3.0b1)

NAOH  Wow!

I was starting to doubt that this would ever happen.

For a beta, it's remarkably stable.

Haven't tried much in the way of features, but no trouble yet.

I have one gripe, though.

Please allow users to reduce the eye-candy. Specially the speech bubbles in the chat window.

It's cute and all that, but I would rather save space. (The time stamps showing up when you mouse over the line of text is a nice touch, though.)

Also, it would be neat to have the ability to add skins to it. At least then we could make it look the way we want.  
(Version 3.0b1)

JCRAIG  5 stars just for getting rid of that installer. The rest is gravy.  
(Version 3.0b1)

SMPDIGITAL  Wow, I can't believe what a difference Y!M for mac is now, video works great, elegant and simple interface, very fast, Universal Binary. I bet this will be my MSN messenger too, it's even better than Adium, Thanks Yahoo!. There are only two must features left in this beta: multiple account support and chat rooms.   
(Version 3.0b1)

N9YTY  Surely you people who are gushing about the video/webcam stuff must be getting performance vastly superior to what I see on my MacBook Pro using the built-in iSight. Just a few frames per second, it's pathetic, and that's just the preview window, I wonder how bad actual conversations would be.  
(Version 3.0b1)

ST00P!D M0NK3Y  One thing I would like to say is...they really need to support chat rooms. That is one feature that really needs to be implemented again.  
(Version 3.0b1)

EMXGARCIA  Awesome!

I had kept using Y! Messenger even tough it was ugly and flaky because it supported x-platform video.

NOW this version is glorious, very nice design, very OS X like behavior AND still support webcams....

YAHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!  
(Version 3.0b1)

NED ANDERSON  Chat rooms anyone?  
(Version 3.0b1)

ST00P!D M0NK3Y  Freaking awesome! Yahoo is supporting the Mac again! And the webcam and file sending features actually work!

They still need to implement image sharing, but overall, it's a solid little chat app. Much better than the crap that I've had to use for the last few years.  
(Version 3.0b1)

DCRANE2  This is GREAT to see! I am actually impressed!

And apparently audio chatting will be coming ot in BETA 2....WHOODA THUNKIT!

They actually upgraded it.....AAAANDDDD...its a universal binary.

Alos you will be able to add MSN friends to the list! WOW! winner winner chicken dinner

Hey...what was that flying by....a pig??

NIce Job! Keeep up the good work yahoo!

I recommend the upgrade!  
(Version 3.0b1)

ROG  My only complaint so far is that when you set a display image and then trash/move/rename that file it will not work anymore.

I made a folder inside the package and put the file there.

I would suggest that Y!IM save any images somewhere. It could even have a forth option of image of the users log-in icon and maybe even their iChat icon history.

Another option would be the option of logging in to a users Y! 360 page and grabbing the users images from that.  
(Version 3.0b1)

NYMPHE  I thougt that Y!M for mac was dead, but I am very surprised to see it updated. In fact, the interface is really very nice and the program looks like a real mac application.

Now I am testing webcam using, and I succesfully sent my webcam to a pc user.

It is far far better than msn messenger 5 for mac...  
(Version 3.0b1)

MACMASTERS  Hmm Still no chatroom capabilities?  
(Version 3.0b1)

MAC_XCODER  So far so good with this app, very nice interface.

The webcam appears to be a little slower though.

1 question...

Does anyone know how to change the message view so it doesn't look like bubbles? I like the view where it shows the username: message text.  
(Version 3.0b1)

SUPERNITIN  I still don't see anyway of saving chat sessions. I would think they could implement that in the 3+ years since the last release. Should Mac users support companies that don't support them?

It does look prettier though so I won't give them all 1s. My low rating on value for a free application is because you pay with all the advertising Yahoo throws at you.  
(Version 3.0b1)

ORION MK. V  Much nicer UI and so far appears stable.  
(Version 3.0b1)

MILE  WOW! Great improvement! Much much better than the previous version, much closer to the PC version and yet nicely implemented for the Mac...! Why did that take so long though...?!?  
(Version 3.0b1)

69NUMBER69  mac users we wait a long time for this update!thanks and please continue to support mac community.  
(Version 3.0b1)

PDXKEVIN  This is the most unstable app on my machine. The only thing consistent about Yahoo Messenger 2.5.3 is the rate at which it crashes.

It has not been updated in 3 years, and is lacking many features compared to the Windows version. Yahoo proudly advertises "Yahoo Messenger with Voice" on their download page, but there is no voice. False advertising at it's finest.

A MAJOR security flaw in this Mac version is that almost anyone can access my web cam, even after I "deny" a request. If, after receiving a request to view my web cam, I wait a few seconds to respond with a "deny", that user can promptly see my web cam, and the web cam permission is changed to "always allow this user to view." This has happened to me many times over the course of three years, despite clean OS installs and regular Mac maintenance (permission resets, caches cleaned, preference files deleted, etc.) I've written to Yahoo countless times and receive the same patronizing response. Basically, no on cares.

I wonder how Yahoo's advertisers would feel about this if I wrote to them and threatened to boycott their product or service.

Come on, Yahoo. Your customer service really stinks.   
(Version 2.5.3)

CDINZ  Yeah Yahoo sucks for not updating Messenger...  
(Version 2.5.3)

RUSSELL GLEASON  While this software is (the Yahoo Messenger) is totally outdated there is an alternative called ADIUM. At least ADIUM can get you back in the chat world of Yahoo without the need of Java Support (that Yahoo has recently dropped). ADIUM can also be found in MacUpdate and its FREE!  
(Version 2.5.3)

BARN  This is really a piece of crap......having a yahoo messenger with voice but i cant even enter a yahoo chatroom....i cant even use the voicechat....iiiiiiisssssssshhhhhhhhh  
(Version 2.5.3)

CHEECHCAT  What a POS!! Not Mac friendly at all!! Come on guys!! Update us!! iChat/AOL much much better!!  
(Version 2.5.3)

SMPDIGITAL  This crap won't even work on intel Macs, it constantly quits, it's so disgusting from yahoo to see how the windows version has evolved and this one hasn't even been updated in the last 3 years. Looks like Yahoo doesn't want dollars from Mac users.  
(Version 2.5.3)

MAC USER  JOIN the comments on Mac osx w/YAHOO MESNGER And the lack of updated downloads for mac users that have yahoomessenger esp. the webcam.! I guess i'll thank you forward   
(Version 2.5.3)

MACUSER25  This is perhaps the worst IM there is....looks like a system 7 beta app. Its slow and the thing hasn't been updated since 2003!! The features however for the windows version is remarkable (??) Not fair, but thats okay...Fellow mac users, get Adium...a whole lot better than this actual yahoo IM could ever be.  
(Version 2.5.3)

FUN8789  Joint the petition to upgrape the mac version.

http://www.petitiononline.com/yahoomac/petition.html  
(Version 2.5.3)

KINGG  this is no good for joining group chat ,a feature included in all pc versions,very irritating  
(Version 2.5.3)

JASON  this hasn't been updated since 2003. full of bugs and horrible webcam features (about 2fps on a 800MHz iMac G4). crashes randomly, even when not in use, in the background.

other than the bugs and crappy features, it is very easy to use.

once adium gets webcam support, this is going into the trash.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  webcam is slow as all hell. Firewire webcam is getting like 2 fps on a dual 1.24 g4. ichat is fine. full screen, full motion.   
(Version 2.5.3)

STEPHEN  I don't have a review, I have a question. Why can't my mac download yahoo messenger with voice? It always downloads the 2.5.3  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  This is such an unstable piece of junk...

iChat or Proteues...unless you like a crashing app that likes to hang up and give you the "spinning process ball".   
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  No voice.

Documentation does not indicate voice is absent.  
(Version 2.5.3)

YANG  i have this problem with my mac os x regarding using yahoo messenger with voice or version 7...my mac can only download with yahoo messenger 2.5.3 version, so i cant call my friends pc to pc...how can i solve this problem...pls HELP!!!!  
(Version 2.5.3)

TEE  please show me how to use yahoo messenger when i already have one on my desktop

i need my own so i open one and now i'm having problem opening it  
(Version 2.5.3)

JOY  hello im trying to log in to yahoo messenger bt i can register it. can u help me pls.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ERIC  This version shows up as 2.5.3 (build 1062) when installed, but MacUpdate Desktop sees it without the build number. So it always looks like there is a newer version out.   
(Version 2.5.3)

MOLDARIN  If Mac-users want a newer version; please submitt a request too Yahoo!, Inc. by using the form provided below.

http://docs.yahoo.com/info/support/contacts/ideas.html  
(Version 2.5.3)

MOLDARIN  This is a good app on Windows, but shouldn't bee used at all on Mac! The Mac client is terrible!

It has a lack of features and it crashes all the time. If it don't crash I have to fource quit to quit it.

As I said, good on Windows, but Mac users should rather try a Jabber solution.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  ..............Has not been updated for Mac for years.

Unstable on modern versions of MacOS & lacking many features of the Monopolist version.

Avoid.  
(Version 2.5.3)

LOYAL MAC GUY  Yahoo just released a new Beta version that will include VOIP features. Think they'll remember us Mac-heads with this new version? I'm not holding my breath.  
(Version 2.5.3)

PHRIPLEY  My wife's office blocks AIM but not Yahoo messenger at the firewall. Since my upgrade to MacOS 10.4 yesterday Yahoo Messenger has become unusably slow (takes a very long time -- 30 sec -- to become active application).  
(Version 2.5.3)

AMRITANSH KAR  I have been using yahoo! Messenger for past 3 years. It has a lot of good features which are useful too like the online radio and weather infos etc. Its a stable software with ease of use.  
(Version 2.5.3)

FORGOTTEN MAC USER  I seriously pity Yahoo!

Get real, the last YIM client is dated back to 2003. Yahoo should just take the download link off of their web site.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  I was using it on the PC until I switched over to a MAC about six months ago. The PC version is much better, and has more features. On the Mac side, the software works very well and stable but is lacking a recent update with newer features.

I think Yahoo is forgetting about the tons of MAC users that use their IM product. But, it is free and I see more people in my area using Yahoo IM than any other client.

I would probably dump it, if iChat would support Yahoo. I don't care a "hoot" about AIM, or MSN.

The only other IM client i use is Bitwise, for secure file exchanges with my clients.  
(Version 2.5.3)

APRAMEYA KAR  Hi,

Don't know why! But everytime I quit the program it crashes. Very unstable. Sometimes it quits all by itself. Low on features compared to the versions for windows.

Any help or future updates will be highly appreciated.

Cheerio  
(Version 2.5.3)

:(  It is obvious that Yahoo does not take Mac users serious and could give a rats a** about us. Too bad.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Don't bother with MAC-ignoring useless Yahoo. Get Panther with installed iChatAV. That's all ready for MAC-MAC video/voice chats. For MAC-PC chats, get your PC friends to install AOL's AIM for Macs v.5.9 and Video for XP.

Do that and you'll forget Yahoo ever existed!   
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  This Mac version is totally unstable when using with a webcam. The app will quit unexpectedly and will pretty much crash everytime you quit.

They need a serious update for this to work properly with webcams.

I've tried it with isight and also logitech Orbit on the latest Max OSX version.

Seems to work better on an older version or OSX.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  They will never update this. Reference the below email I sent them and their response below:

SENT:

Please update the Mac version of Messenger. We Mac users desperately want the same audio and chat room features that PC users have! The entire Mac community is very upset with your lack of support for us.

RECEIVED:

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Yahoo! Messenger.

It is through user comments and feedback that we are able to make continual improvements.

At the moment, the feature you are requesting is not available. However,

we are always looking for ways to make Yahoo! Messenger more useful to our users, and we will be sure to keep your concern in mind as we continue to make improvements to our service.

You can always visit Yahoo! Chat at the following URL:

http://chat.yahoo.com/

Yahoo! Messenger for Macintosh does not include the voice chat feature. We are aware there is strong interest among our Macintosh users, but there is currently no schedule for releasing this feature.

Thank you again for contacting Yahoo! Customer Care.

Regards,

Andrew

Yahoo! Customer Care  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  When is Yahoo going to be serious about Mac users? I've downloaded the latest version of Yahoo Messenger and....it is terrible.....No SOUND do you believe it? Maybe Apple will need to come with a Chat and video service of its own.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Anyone think that if the Imac Mini takes off and the market share goes up there might be more pressure to update this?  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Still no update... no current plans to update it (according to an email from Yahoo support). This used to be my favorite messenging client, but if Yahoo is going to treat their Mac users this way, I'm going to have to look for a new service and quit using Yahoo for anything.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  So, the last update was on 9/24/2003, was it? At this rate Longhorn will ship before this gets updated.

It was great back in 2003. Now?

There's video, that's great. Could it be any choppier? Where's the sound?Could we be any further behind the Windows version of Yahoo?

Come on, Yahoo! Don't leave us out!  
(Version 2.5.3)

GARBAGE  The Mac version is rubbish.

May be tolerable for text chat but hopeless for video chat - NO AUDIO no matter what you do & crashes every few minutes at best

Utter rubbish!!  
(Version 2.5.3)

MARIA  how can I put a picture on my yahoo messenger.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Yahoo Messenger for MAC seems to cut-out all too often. I run through a T1 connection and still get dropped for no apparent reason. I also noticed that the PC version has many more convenience features than the MAC version, why is that?

All in all Yahoo Messenger for MAC is OKAY to chat with (if one doesn't get dropped), but on a scale from 1-10 (best-worst), I give it a 4.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Since upgrading to 10.3.6, I am no longer unable to access my webcam. I get a message to the effect of their servers being unable to handle so many requests. I've informed Yahoo of the problem. All I get in response is they're aware of the issue. Does anyone else have this problem?

The webcam works great in iChat, but nearly all my buddies are on Yahoo/PCs.  
(Version 2.5.3)

STEVIE G.  I have used yahoo messenger on both PC and Mac and the differences are striking. I won't compare them here, but I will say that the Mac version works well in terms of simply typing and chatting and sending messages. There are less choices, but then again that means there's less to keep track of. The webcam feature is both great and horrible: once i start the webcam feature, the picture is far superior to the same webcame used on the PC Yahoo messenger. The terrible part is that no one seems to be able to view my webcam, unfortunately. The cam comes up as "unavailable" perhaps becuz the users that have tried were all PC-users? If anyone has some ideas on making it work better, I'm open. Peace, Stevie G. navets@flash.net  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  It has been well over a year since the latest release of this program and it seems companies like Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft want to make watered-down, pathetic, no comparison to the PC versions of their own software.

If developers (who aren't making any money from their open sourced applications) can make programs BETTER then these companies, these people should wake up and smell the coffee.

YOUR PROGRAMS SUCK.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Great smilies, much more than yahoo- but presently the volume of the chime is extremely loud compared to the relative volume of any other application.   
(Version 2.5.3)

RAVIKUMAR  Developer, please give the feature chatroom, voice & new emoticons intregrated on upcoming yahoo messenger, it would be helpful to mac user's  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Instead of hassling (yourself) to get it working, perhaps you ought to spend the time towards getting an OSX box.

If you have problems with this, you're gonna have so many more problems in general.

What is your time worth?

With the time you spend getting legacy s/w to work, you could have been working at_any_job and you would have a new Mac quite easily.

I'm currently using Panther on a $300 iBook (it's an old one, but it works.). I recycled aluminum cans and saved enough buy it.  
(Version 2.5.3)

HAPPYWITH8.6  SOLVING THE MESSENGER PROBLEM

assuming your problem stems from running a Mac OS prior to 10... and since installing/reinstalling the older Yahoo! Messenger 2.5.0 seems to be the only solution... I thought I'd take the liberty to consolidate all the pertinent info into one post... let me first say... all the credit goes to "Tommy" for providing the download location within his 8/12/04 post below...

to insure a complete wiping of the problem messenger version...

[1]... "trash" "Yahoo! Messenger 2.5.3" which should be found in your "Applications" folder...

[2]... "trash" the "Yahoo! Messenger Preferences" which as you would expect... should be found in your "Preferences" folder...

[3]... while in your "Preferences" folder... delete any files that begin with "com.yahoo.Messenger._" followed by a number... there should be one present for each profile you've previously used in messenger... DO NOT DELETE the "com.yahoo.Messenger.plist" file as this is your actual "friends list" which will still be accessible after the install/reinstall...

to download Yahoo! Messenger 2.5.0...

[4]... go to "http://asia.messenger.yahoo.com/download/mac.html"...

[5]... click on... "Download for Mac OS 8-9.x"... it took about eight minutes on my standard dialup 56K modem connection...

[6]... click on the installer... and hopefully... your problem will have been solved with all remaining to do is reselect your preferences for each profile as you logon with it...

this solution worked perfectly for my G3 running OS 8.6... and as of this date... the older version of messenger was still present at the download site provided...

Good luck!  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  When I login Yahoo Messager, it will be automatic log-off around 1 mins. How can I fix this problem?   
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  I agree, 2.5.3 is very bad for iMac users. I went to asia.yahoo.com and downloaded an older version, 2.5.0, but when I went to install it, it said it was already installed. However, all the Yahoo stuff had been put in the trash. So I created a new folder on the desktop, downloaded it to the new folder, and VOILA! it worked and I can now sign on to Yahoo messenger. Thank you to the post who suggested that website.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  if your computer is so out of date that your still running os8.6 i;m afraid you have more problems than not being able to run yahoo messenger :P  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Piece of junk. Like everyone has said, completely bombs on OS8.6; worse, it locks up memory and screws up other applications. Rubbish. Don't bother.  
(Version 2.5.3)

TOMMY  If you still need or want YIM 2.5.0 (it still works on OS 8.6) you can get it at asia.yahoo.com

For some reason, Yahoo Asia is a little slow in updateing their software downloads, and that's a good thing for the poor souls still using OS 8.6 (like ME)

The download will be a little slower if you're in the USA, but it's worth the wait if you need YIM on your older Mac.

Hope this helps :D  
(Version 2.5.3)

T0MMY  Yahoo! Messenger 2.5.3. is a joke.

I should leave it at that, but .. no.

What I can't figure out is why Yahoo! completely ignors requests for help, and they continue to advertise that this piece of junk works on OS 8.6..

Surley they know by now that it's worthless.

I'm just glad that AIM and ICQ continue to allow older versions of their chat clients to connect to their servers.

yahoo should follow their lead.  
(Version 2.5.3)

ANONYMOUS  Yahoo Messenger 2.5.3 has been freezing at login for Macintosh OS 8.6 users. We all were using YIM with no problems. Then, in June, this problem began. I have tried everything YIM customer care has suggested. What has happened?? What can I do about it??  
(Version 2.5.3)

VAMPIRE_CONURE_DOXY  WHAT AN UTTERLY USELESS POS!!

I've had NOTHING but problems with the new messenger and I'm glad (or perhaps saddnened?) to know that I'm not the only one with this problem. I used an older version of messenger for a year with almost no problems. Then suddenly it stopped letting me sign in. I re-downloaded messenger - the new one- and I've been in hell ever since! **IF**yahell messenger bothers to start up, it tells me my nick is non exisitant. When I try to sign in again, the buddy lists will pop on and off then freeze my computer so badly I have to restart! **IF** it works, which is almost never, I will get a message but it suddenly kicks me off telling me my session expired. Repeat the sign in fight described above. Then, **if** it lets you in, pop on the 'no proxies behind firewall' option in preferences. MAAAYBE it will let you chat for 15 minutes without kicking you!

I have **GOT** to find a way to get Chit Chat to work. it's better than the mac Horse C**P Yahoo forces us to use! ***DON'T** get me started with the problems I have with Yahoo chat (chat.yafook.com)!!   
(Version 2.5.3)