Ask Leo!: Instant Messaging

How do I Uninstall Windows Live Messenger?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 09:09:10 -08:00

I installed Windows Live Messenger 2009 (aka Messenger 9) and it's not working for me so I want to uninstall it. Problem is it's not listed in Control Panel. Like others uninstalling Messenger 9 I've deleted the files from the systems disk but whenever I try reinstalling Messenger 8.5 it says that I'm still using 9.0. Should I give up and just reformat my whole system?

]]> I've been getting variations on this question a lot lately because people can't seem to resist installing Beta software. (Hint: don't - no matter what anyone says - unless you really know what you're doing.)

As with all Beta software, there may be problems and you may find yourself wanting to revert to the previous version.

Except in this case Microsoft has done a nice job of hiding the uninstaller. Yes, it's there, it's just not obvious. And no, a reformat isn't required.

Does installing a chat program pose any additional risks?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:08:26 -08:00

My 14year-old daughter wants to install an MSN chat program on my computer. Does this pose an additional risk for viruses and/or crashes to my computer? I need my computer for work and can't afford any of those problems.

]]> Yes and no.

In the proper hands, with the requisite amount of common sense and awareness a chat program need be no more dangerous than any other program you install. But naturally in the wrong hands it does open some additional windows of malicious opportunity.

I guess it kind of boils down to this: how much do you trust your daughter to be safe?

Why am I getting instant messages from people I don't know?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:36:24 -08:00

Today when I turned on my computer, there was a IM from someone I didn't recognize. I closed it as I figured it was just someone up to no good. I always thought you had to get the permission before someone would accept instant messages from you. My son has seen this also. Do you think this was someone that knew us both? Or do you think it's trouble brewing? I've never heard of this before.

]]> Is it someone who knows you? Probably not. Trouble brewing? Perhaps.

But it's trouble that's easily avoided.

How can I get the IP address of someone I'm instant messaging, and does it actually identify them?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:49:38 -08:00

I recently joined a Website for "Singles" which allows instant messaging between interested parties. I was warned by one of my friends that there are people on this website who have multiple profiles. These people could IM you using one profile today and another profile tomorrow.

My friend suggested that one way of knowing for sure whether these two profiles are two different people or the same person with two profiles, is to check their IP address when the IM window opens in front of you.

Does that work?

]]> No.

Having said that there are a couple of very rare exceptions where you can kind of, sort of, maybe tell. But not really.

Let's look at how this all works and why the IP address tells you pretty much nothing.

Do I need all these instant messaging programs?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:59:25 -08:00

MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, AOL messenger, Windows messenger and so on ... I'm confused. Do I have to have all these installed in my computer to be able to IM everybody? I can't IM somebody with AOL or Yahoo messengers if I have a Windows messenger?

]]> Do you have to have them all? It depends on who you want to talk to.

Can you IM someone who's using AOL Instant Messenger using MSN Messenger? No. Yahoo Messenger? Maybe.

You're probably more confused at this point. Let me try to explain.