Why have a boring old IM winks, nudges, and emoticons with Skype, MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, or Yahoo IM (does anyone have AIM anymore?!) when you can get Free Emoticons & Winks? It’s called Sweet IM. And here’s a tip: Have your computer speakers turned down when you visit the site… heh heh. The noise from the “wink” made everyone in the room jolt!
My kids and I use Windows Live Messenger (for now). I’ve been on the prowl for a better LAN chat, but the kids are absolutely hooked on the WLM emoticons and winks. There are about a dozen free ones, but MSN charges you to get any others. SweetIM lets you have theirs for free. They are very cute. You can use them for various IM and instant chat programs, and for email through Hotmail, Gmail, etc. But beware– it’s easy to go overboard with them!
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
However, I am tired of MSN’s IM program. I’d really rather not use a third-party IM at all. But I have had a terrible time finding a quality LAN chat. I’ve tried Tonic, and few other free kinds, but there’s always something missing or something wrong with them. I don’t want all the bells and whistles that comes with the third-party software, like Yahoo, AIM, Trillium, and ICQ. I JUST want a simple LAN chat. Why are they so hard to find? If you know of one, please leave a comment. Thanks! 
