Like chat, IMs operate in real time. You can “talk” live with anyone simply by typing text. Whereas chat occurs in a room or channel that you must connect to, instant messaging requires a software program to be downloaded and installed. The service lets you connect directly with other people who are online.

IMs allow you to specify whom you chat with and when you chat – you invite people to be part of your buddy list, and the IM client lets you specify your availability to chat. No one can drop in on your conversations unless you invite them. You can chat one-on-one, have several conversations running simultaneously in different windows, or hold a “conference” conversation.

»AOL Instant Messenger

You don't need to be an AOL subscriber to chat with your AOL friends and family! Exchange instant messages FREE!, share photos, easily find friends and family to chat with.

»ICQ

ICQ is a revolutionary, user-friendly Internet tool that informs you who's on-line at any time and enables you to contact them at will. No longer will you search in vain for friends or associates on the Net. ICQ does the searching for you, alerting you in real time when they log on. The need to conduct a directory search each time you want to communicate with a specific person is eliminated.

With ICQ, you can chat, send messages, files and URL's, play games, or just hang out with your fellow 'Netters' while still surfing the Net.

»MSN Messenger

Make voice calls from your computer to a phone anywhere in the world, have video conversations, and take advantage of several ease-of-use enhancements like grouping your contact list, new task-based menus, and cool, new emoticons.

»YAHOO

With Yahoo! Messenger 5.0 you can quickly exchange messages with all your online friends. Unlike email, instant messages appear as soon as they're sent. IMVironments are interactive, themed backgrounds for Yahoo! Messenger conversations that appear directly in the instant messaging window!
Yahoo! Messenger also offers webcams, talk for free, Yahoo! Chat client, alerts for your stocks and Yahoo! Mail, and so much more...

There are also multipurpose Instant Chat programs available such as:

http://www.emphatech.com

»Microsoft Expedia

Among the features is a Family Travel section, a Fare Compare section, seat pinpointers to help you get the perfect seat, a place to save your previous search queries, vacation and cruise wizards and express service for frequent users.

»Travelocity

Travelocity is one of the most powerful one-stop travel sites on the Internet providing secure online reservation capabilities for air, car, hotel and vacation reservations, plus access to a vast database of destination and other travel information.

»Backroads Traveller

On this site you'll find a selection of 130 enticing destinations worldwide. Inspiring and meticulously researched routes for biking, walking, kayaking and more. Outstanding inns and culinary delights. And cultural encounters nearly impossible to arrange on your own.

»The Oregonian

OregonLive.com is a diversified Web site featuring The Oregonian's output, reinforced by 24/7 Associated Press NewsFlash and SportsFlash feeds, Sports Network content, the state's most comprehensive high school sports reporting service, entertainment calendars, Webcasts, streaming audio, forums, chat rooms, enhanced classifieds and more.

»Salon Magazine

»Slate
Looking for a good digest of all the major news? Check out this timely source. Note: Slate, which is owned by Microsoft, is now free.

»The Online Books Page
Founded in 1993 by a Carnegie Mellon graduate student, the On Line Books Page has grown into a searchable archive of over 14,000 books that can be freely read on the Internet and/or downloaded on disk and savored by the flickering video screen.

»Library of Congress

The Library preserves a collection of nearly 121 million items, more than two-thirds of which are in media other than books. These include the largest map, film and television collections in the world. In addition to its primary mission of serving the research needs of the U.S. Congress, the Library serves all Americans through its popular Web site and in its 22 reading rooms on Capitol Hill.

»Amazon Books

The web's largest online bookstore

»Children's Literature Web

]The Children's Literature Web Guide is an attempt to gather together and categorize the growing number of Internet resources related to books for Children and Young Adults. Much of the information that you can find through these pages is provided by others: fans, schools, libraries, and commercial enterprises involved in the book world.

»Yahoo Mail
One of the easiest of the free web-based email services. A must for every surfer! A free web-based email service enables the user to send and receive email from any computer that has a live Internet connection and a web browser.

»Hotmail
The oldest of the free web-based email service - now owned by Microsoft.

»Homestead
Use this friendly site to build your own web site - free!!! The clean, bright user interface of Homestead, plus its goody bag of graphics and special elements, makes this site-building service a joy to use.

»Google Groups (previously Dejanews)
Read/search the Internet's message boards. The search engine Google recently purchased the Usenet's archives. Read all about it here. To learn more about Usenet and how to use it, click here.

It may be called the World Wide Web, but you can find parts of it right here locally!

»Estacada Public Library

»Clackamas County Public Library

Not only can you find listings for homes and cars, but there are a variety of tools to help you figure out loan payments, negotiation tactics and much more.

»Bank Rate Monitor

An Internet consumer finance marketplace that owns and operates a portfolio of Internet-based personal finance channels including banking, investing, taxes and small business finance.

»Carpoint

From product reviews and surround video features to new- and used-car pricing, Carpoint helps consumers find the car they love, at a price they can afford. With details on more than 10,000 car models and 100,000 used vehicles, visitors can research and compare cars of virtually every make and model, identify local dealers, and receive instructions for post-purchase service and maintenance. Carpoint has a network of more than 5,000 affiliated dealers nationwide and is exclusively endorsed by the American International Automobile Dealers Association.

»Autobytel

Offers comprehensive consumer resources for vehicle research, purchasing, ownership, safety and maintenance, as well as unmatched dealer training, support and technology.

»Kelly Blue Book

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book has been the nation's de facto standard in automotive pricing and value information. Today, as the nation's most popular automotive web site, kbb.com attracts 3 million unique visitors a month generating more than 21 million pricing reports on new and used vehicles.

»National Fraud Consumer Organization

The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. We are the nation's oldest consumer organization.

»Guidestar: The Donor's Guide to the Non Profit World

The national database of non-profit organizations

»Dilbert

Discover the power of the wired patient. Learn how to take care of yourself, research diseases, check out doctors and more - all online.

»Healthfinder

healthfinder® is a free guide to reliable consumer health and human services information, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. healthfinder® can lead you to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, Web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public.