An Yahoo Messenger plug-in is an html page embedded inside Yahoo Messenger. The html file contains a combination of html tags and Java script API code. The yahoo plugins run inside Yahoo Messenger. Plug-ins are launched from the main messenger window. But some plugins are launched from the conversation window like IndiChat plugin.
What is the use of these Plug-ins?
Each Plug-in has it's own functionality. With the help of plug-ins we can share large files with our contact list, we can view latest movie trailers right from within messenger, we can view the local time of our contacts, we can get live score of cricket matches worldwide, we can chat with our contacts in our regional languages. For example Indian people can chat with their contacts in their own regional languages with the help of IndiChat plug-in. We can do so many things with the available Yahoo Messenger Plug-ins. At present 169 Yahoo Messenger Plug-ins are available. You can also publish your own plug-in to the Yahoo Messenger Plug-in Gallery.
I will explain about a few Plug-ins.
IndiChat
With this plug-in we can converse with our contacts in Indian languages Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi and Gujarati. Go to http://gallery.yahoo.com/messenger. Click Get Conversation Plug-ins link. Now click Indichat. then click IndiChat Install Now button. Then first it will load yahoo messenger. So login in to your messenger account with your ID. After you login into your account IndiChat warning window will come. Click yes. Then after some time it will give a message Indichat has been installed. In order to use this plug in, login in to your messenger account then open one of yours contact chat window. In that window you will find Plug-ins tab. Just click that tab. Then click My Plug-ins. You will find IndiChat there. Just click start button. Then you will get IndiChat window like below. You can choose the language you like. Now just type your language words in engish. The plug-in will automatically convert those words to your language. Very simple to use. Remember your contact must also install this IndiChat plug-in.
For getting the above telugu word just type “baagunnaaraa”
For getting the above hindi words just type “aap kaisaa hai”
IM Cricket Cast
With this plug-in we will get Live scores of worldwide cricket matches. Go to http://gallery.yahoo.com/messenger. Then click sports section. There you will find this Plug-in. Just click on it. Now click Install Now button. Then first it will load yahoo messenger. So login in to your messenger account with your ID. After you login into your account IM Cricket Cast warning window will come. Click yes. Then after some time it will give a message IM Cricket Cast has been installed. In order to use this plug in, login in to your messenger account. In the main messenger window you will find Add Plug-ins tab. Just click that tab. Now click My Plug-ins tab. There you will find Cricket Cast. Just click Start button. Then come to Messenger main window. Now you will find Cricket scores under Add Plug-ins tab.
Local Time
This plug-in displays the local time of your contacts. You will find this plug-in in Tools and Utilities section. You can install and use this plug-in same as IM Cricket Cast.
Yahoo! Movie Trailer
You can watch the latest movie trailers right from within Messenger. You will find this plug-in in Music and Entertainment section. You can install and use this plug-in same as IM Cricket Cast.
EBay
You can browse the ebay market place right from within Messenger. You will find this plug-in in Shopping section. You can install and use this plug-in same as IM Cricket Cast.
Pando
We can share large files or folders with our contacts by this plug-in. You will find this plug-in in Tools and Utilities section. You can install and use this plug-in same as IM Cricket Cast.
I have explained only a few Plug-ins. At present 169 Plug-ins are available. Visit Yahoo gallery page and install the yahoo plugins you like.
http://gallery.yahoo.com/messenger