[Alma]

I have a new IMac with dualcore chip, OS10.4.6.
1. I cannot watch many of the videos or audio from XM radio online, comedy central and news videos or live broadcasts from http://wwitv.com, because plugins are not for the new chip/OS. It seems some of these files are .asx extensions.
I have downloades Windows Mediaplayer 9, Shockwave 10.1, Quicktime 7.1, Real Player 10.1 but some of these plugins have not been upgraded for the mac since 2004. I called Apple, XM radio and of course they keep putting the responsibility on each other. In the meantime nothing is solved.
2. Neither the video nor audio works on MSN Yahoo and AOL messenger. The only audio reception I have found was on Skype but I miss the video portion. Is there a program that can interface Mac users and PC users so I can communicate with my parents (they use PCs)?
I love my IMac but I feel I have stepped back a decade without these features. The very reason I left Mac 8 years ago because the software technology did not keep up with Macs. Are we still in the same boat now that I came back? Since plugins and messenger programs were available for the Macs I assumed they were performing the same tasks as they would on the PC.
Could it be that I just need to change some settings?
Many thanks for your help,
Alma