To not know the difference between

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow]

Skype, IM, MSN and Windows Live Messanger.

I am getting bloody confused, can someone explain what the differences between them are.

Does "IM" simply cover all of them, is is that something you can download

Help!!!!! I wanna be trendy!!!!

IM = Instant Messaging. MSN/AOL and others provide that.

MSN and Windows Live Messenger are now the same thing. If they were ever actually different things.

Skype is what is called VoIP. Voice Over IP. It's like a phone, only you can also use it to make video calls. It does actually also have IM capabilities but I don't know anyone who actually uses it for that regularly. More to send a message if you are expecting a call and can't make it or something.

Clearer?

Can't help I'm afraid. Also not interested don't know how to tweet, & can't see the point of Facebook.

I have finally come around to texting and TV on demand thou :)

A bit - thank you.

So, Skype is for actually talking but IM is for live text chat is that it?

Skype is used for talking to people on your computer and you see the person you are talking to as you can use a web cam. I use it to speak to my sister who lives in US :)

My OH uses Skype a lot to talk to his daughter who lives overseas. It's a free way of keeping in touch with friends/family in far flung places and is better than picking up a phone because you actually get video contact (via webcam).

Yes OP thats it about right. Skype is a cheap way to make phone calls over the internet, and Instant Messaging clients are used to type messages to another person in real time.

so how do you talk to someone using the IM? I have downloaded windows live messanger but how do you find people to talk to

IM = instant messaging, so that could refer to skype, msn or any number of other programs.

Skype is used to make phone calls over the internet - very useful.

bit out of touch with msn as haven't used it in many years, and not sure exactly what windows live messenger is

Skype is using your computer as a video phone. IM is a text conversation on the computer.

would anyone be kind enough to check withme tht i am doing it right.

In the case of Windows Live Messenger, you add the email address of the person you want to IM as a contact - they must also have WLM. If you want to PM me your WLM email address, I can add you to show you?

oh thank you so much ReadyToDrink i will do that now

Skype is excellent. Particularly good for keeping in touch with family overseas since you can make video calls. If you Skype to Skype it is free too. It's definitely not the same as the chat applications (or Instant Messaging as they like to call it) though. Be prepared that if you do active any of these, they are intrusive. Regardless of what you set your status too.

Sorry, that should read activate.

Thanks again for all your help ReadyToDrink.

No problem :)