# Somebody explain Yahoo to me **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 6, 2006, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-explain-yahoo-to-me/359592 "2006-06-06T10:42:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-explain-yahoo-to-me/359592/1 "2006-06-06T10:42:14Z")
Everybody tells me that Yahoo is better than AOL (well they tell me a dead skunk in the middle of the road is better than AOL). But I’ve found it’s a lot less irritating than Yahoo. Specifically IM. I have a friend…or rather someone who could be a friend if we could talk…who insistes on talking on Yahoo. But all I get (even when I don’t want it) is “Yahoo Messenger is signing in _me_” and then nothing. Or “Yahoo Messenger is opening an IM window for _my friend_ …please wait.” And then nothing. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-explain-yahoo-to-me/359592/2 "2006-06-06T11:04:09Z")
A Yahoo is a vile and savage creature, filthy and with unpleasant habits, resembling human beings far too closely. The term “Yahoo” has become synonymous with “cretin,” “dinosaur,” and/or “Neanderthal.” All this from Wikipedia. I think that hits it on the nose. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-explain-yahoo-to-me/359592/3 "2006-06-06T11:37:40Z")
Use a program called [Gaim](http://sourceforge.net/projects/gaim/). It works for google talk, aim, yahoo, msn, etc. You can sign into to all of them using one program and combine all your buddy lists. The interface is similar to aim so you won’t have to compromise. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-explain-yahoo-to-me/359592/4 "2006-06-06T19:03:59Z")
Well, for IMing, just get GAIM or Adium, either of which offer ICQ, MSN, and Jabber/Google Talk connectivity, along with AIM & Y!.