We see so many people running Yahoo Messenger, MSN and ICQ clients on their computer and it makes us wonder why dont they try a client that can handle all these networks.
Going to mention 3 multi protocol IM clients that I have tried and which are quite famous.
Pidgin is a chat client that allows you to login to multiple chat networks at the same time. Its compatible with AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, MySpaceIM, and Zephyr networks. The program’s functionality can be upgraded with the many plugins availble for it. The memory footprint is quite small and it starts up pretty fast. Piding doesnt have much eye candy which is something many people look for. Overall one of the best IM clients out there.
Digsby a new player among the chat client softwares and its taking over like a storm. So what makes this one special ? Apart from handling multiple chat networks, digsby also has the ability to check emails, and handle social networking to an extend. It can handle Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL/AIM Mail, IMAP, and POP email accounts right inside the client. Helps you with social networking by showing new messages, friend requests and allowing to change status on networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Trillian is one of the oldest chat clients, remember using it about 6-7 years ago in office. Nothing much to say except that it supports most of the common networks. Trillian hasnt been updated in a very long time. The update most Trillian users are waiting for is Trillian Astra but guess its been a year and still in beta stage. Supports standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings.
Have another IM client that you like ? What do you like the most about the clients mentioned above. Let us know, comment below.
hiii