windows live messanger plus - arggggggggh so many names! What does it all mean?

[Yurtgirl]

I am so confused by all the different names -All I actually want to do is have live online conversations!
So what should I download in order to that?
Which is best?

The most popular would be MSN I believe. I don't use it now myself, but most of the world seems to.

www.msn.com

You could use Trillian which emulates MSN, but also emulates other messengers if a friend says "oh I use so and so".

Probably best to get used to one first