Yahoo and MSN have the top messengers, Yahoo Mail the top free e-mail

Nearly 60% of residential Internet service subscribers are also users of an instant messaging service, according to a new study from J.D. Power and Associates. Although instant messaging usage is highest among 18- to 24-year-olds (82% subscribe to an IM service), its popularity remains high even among Internet subscribers over 45, with 54% using an IM service. 64% of women say they use an instant messaging service, compared to 53% of men. Among instant messaging services, Yahoo and MSN's services rate particularly high with subscribers.

While 53% of respondents say they primarily use their ISP