I would like a comparison of the following on-line messaging systems.
MSN Messenger, AOL, AIM, ICQ. I run a small co. and need to
communicate with other co. in real-time.Which of these would offer the
most advanced features and what are these features?

Hi alyssum,

Thank you for an interesting question.

 
BigBlueBall.com - Everything about instant messaging.
The Home Page: http://www.bigblueball.com/

There are several ways to use the site.
  
Messaging News on the Home Page.
http://www.bigblueball.com/

or, 

On the left side of the page you'll see links to: 
 
IM 101  
AOL Instant Messenger  
ICQ  
MSN Messenger  
Trillian  
Yahoo Messenger  
Other Messengers  
Forums  
Links  
IM Gear  
WebCams  
IRC Chat  

or, 

At the bottom of the page you'll see
BIGBLUEBALL SITE MAP

Links for AIM, MSN, Yahoo, etc., with links to News, Forum, or Links.

(You can use their search feature by typing in a keyword.)

And finally... 

BigBlueBall.com - All Forums Page (scroll to Instant Messaging) 
http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/default.asp

Registration is free (at the top of the page) and necessary only if
you also wish to post messages within the forums.  If you choose not
to register, you'll be able to read all the threads/posts/and polls.

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Yahoo Search Directory
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Internet/Instant_Messaging/

Click on CATEGORIES - Corporate Instant Messengers

Click on SITE LISTINGS - Most Popular

Click on ALPHABETICAL - From A to Y

=================================================

Find the Best Instant Messaging Software and Services
http://email.about.com/od/instantmessagingsoftware/

At the top of the page you'll see SEARCH.  Type in a keyword, such as
AOL and click on your enter key on your keyboard.

=================================================

Search.com
http://www.search.com/search?curl=1,0,0-0-0&tag=srch&qt=Instant+Messaging&cn=Downloads&ca=20

Scroll to Web Pages

=================================================

Cnet Reviews:
Why IM is so much better than e-mail
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3000_7-5139769.html

=================================================

Cnet Download.com
http://www.download.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=Instant+Messaging&tg=dl-20&search.x=11&search.y=12

=================================================

IM's Buddy Brawl - How risky are the new and improved corporate IM solutions? 
http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20021203S0010


Managing IM's Role in Business
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/entdev/article.php/2235591

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keyword search:

instant messaging software reviews
instant messaging comparison
im reviews 
im software comparison


Best regards,
tlspiegel

I'm using the systems of both yahoo and skype too, especially yahoo
has nice features that would be worth considering.

Also, check out the open-source Jabber.  I heard it can work wonders for a company