what instant messenger?

[Elianto]

Hi,

i'm back with a definitive connection on internet, when i used to stay online 24/7 long ago (years...) i used only icq but now there is plenty of different messenger and every one i know has a different one. Someone can suggest me a software that can connect to different networks (messenger, yahoo, icq etc) and that have full features (also video) thanks!

[DoorKnobHandle]

Trillian.

It handles ICQ, MSN, YAHOO, AIM and IRC at the same time... I use it. It's pretty awesome.

[LGM]

Or use the less-bloated Gaim

But you need to sign up for AIM, ICQ, and MSN on the sites... It also supports Jabber and whatnot, which is supposed to be pretty cool but no-one uses it. I'd suggest to use MSN if you plan on talking to AGSers... But AIM seems to be popular with the teenage crowd or most people in general. There's always Yahoo, but I don't personally know anyone who uses it.

[PyroMonkey]

I use AIM most of the time, but sometimes I use MSN.

[Tiki]

Recently started using Google Talk, you can have 'phone calls' over the internet.  Works very well, recommended if you have a microphone.

Besides that, GAIM.  Tried Trillian, didn't like it.  Oh, right.  And I use mIRC.

[Dowland]

I started using Trillian around the version 0.4, and stood by it right up until version 2-something Pro, which I actually purchased.

It eventually turns out to be too much, even if it is comfortable for a while. T2 turned out to be very disorganized. Paid the very cheap update, and I tried T3. Was sorely disappointed, and removed completely.

GAIM is great on Linux, but the Windows version if ugly and hap-hazard.

The IM client I've been using ever since I stopped using Trillian is called Miranda.

I like it a lot, because the interface is very simple, yet very customizable. You can get it to do practically anything, will not having it load up features you won't load. For a very long time, I had so few plugins (just AIM, MSN and the basic conversation interface), that it would never take up more than 1 MB in memory.

The icing on the cake, and feature I love most about it ... is that it saves *ALL* your convos in a very searchable database. One of my biggest tragedies was when I accidentally erased all my convos from three years back. You can export everything as text, or XML.

Also, you can very effectively merge several contacts seemlessly in a metacontact.

Finally, it keeps all its settings, and all information in ONE single "Profile" file. Meaning it won't clog up your registery or system folder or anything, and you actually can put it on a floppy disk and use it wherever (I've often used it in the "Business Room" that many hotels now offer for at convenience of their clients).

[Las Naranjas]

GAIM is very ugly and bloated.

Still less bloated than Trillian though, and I prefer it to the individual programs.

[Paper Carnival]

My favourite is Yahoo, but nobody I know uses that. The problem with MSN is that it's too unstable sometimes (windows messenger is way more stable but with less features), but I never had any problems with AIM. So I just have MSN and AIM running, I might have Yahoo too if I want to listen to internet radio.

I tried Trillian and the rest, and I hated them.

[passer-by]

MSN because all my "contacts" have moved there. When they had ICQ I had ICQ etc. I have tried Mirc but hated it. I used to sent them emails instead.

[Haddas]

but then again mIRC isn't an instant messenger either, but an applet for connecting to the IRC network...

[Ishmael]

but then again mIRC isn't an instant messenger either, but an applet for connecting to the IRC network...

Is it a coincidence that we had a conversation about the same subject today yesterday, local time, on IRC?

[Elianto]

There is an IRC channel for this forum/site... I'm a long time irc user.

[Ishmael]

There is an IRC channel for this forum/site... I'm a long time irc user.

No shit? That's where the conversation took place. That's the only IRC channel I frequently visit.

[voh]

Miranda is what I use. It has protocols for whatever you want - ICQ, MSN, IRC, AIM, YIM, Gady Gady, Jabber, even QQ.

It's a simple program with easy to configure and set up plugins, and it's small, non-bloated and docks to the side of the screen if need be I loves it.

[Las Naranjas]

I also tried miranda, it feels like a program for the hardcore. It is quicker than GAIM and Trillian though, but perhaps less intuitive. Perhaps.

[dasjoe]

elianto, you can find the irc channel on irc://irc.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/#ags

[Elianto]

Thanks... i just found out that the irc channel was on the main site page (me = silly). For the IM i'm just seeing how many good reviews has miranda. I'm going to try it out, only thing that scares me is that in the page there are a ton of plugin to find out 

[voh]

The main package has all the plugins you'll need to work with the program. The installer even lets you select which protocols you're going to use. So if you don't use AIM or YIM, just don't install it. It has wizards for most of the features.

It's more intuitive than it seems. Just install it - if you need help with anything PM me and I'll do what I can

[Elianto]

I'm just trying Miranda but the main 7zip archive has only the bare messenger. Some info on how to install the icons shown in the miranda screenshot (different for each client emulated) and which plugin to use for contact list, message window etc etc???

[Ishmael]

In the installer I got I could install the MSN and IRC protocols just fine. The installer downloaded some files, I guess, and all I needed to do after the installation was to setup the program in it's options dialog, and done.