multi instant messenger programs
 

@anyone

I have a need for a IM that can connect to other IM's (i.e. AIM, MSM,
etc.). I never used an IM before, but found these Multi IM programs:

1) Integerity Messenger v 4.11

2) Trillian Pro 3

3) PalTalk

4) GAIM v 1.1.4

Can someone recommend one of these or another multi IM
program. :)

Thanks

-BP

Gaim or Trilian are the most popular. I do not like very much Trilian look'n'feel but it's all about personnal taste.

I don't either, but I think it's the best multi protocol client ;)

-kwag

Thanks Phil and Karl,

I'm going to try GAIM first. 8)

-BP

A good alternative would be Miranda-IM.
It's freeware plugin based instant message utility.
Highly tweakable but a bit complex for beginners.
I love it, but I admit it lacks a good installer.
There is a G.A.N.T. pack for miranda but I can't find it anywhere :(
Cheers

@all

Settled on using Trillian Basic 3.1. Very easy to setup and use 8)

Thanks all

-BP

Hi BP :D
Yes Trillian 3.1 is in fact very easy to setup and use.
Plus it looks great (at least on XP) with the "transparent-enabled" skin that comes with it.
But in fact, it's quite heavy on resources consumption.
That's why I love Miranda-IM.
This one is very low on resources, it is free-open source plugin based.
That means you can choose from hundreds of features that you want (or not ;-)) to be present.
That makes it possible to use it on a P4@2Ghz-1GB or on a PII@300Mhz-128MB.
I just have to disable the optional goodies on a slower PC and it still works like a charm.
The standard looks of it ain't much of a big thing but you can find some PACKs on the net such as this GANT pack http://www.rico-morgenstern.de/miranda.
And there's something that bothers me a bit on Trillian.
That is, if I choose to use ICQ it will also load AIM at startup.
I know that both ICQ and AIM comms engine is the same but they could hide the AIM icon...
There are some Pro's on Trillian: hability to have a voice chat with someone else.
But take a look at Miranda's amount of features and plugins.
Well I guess that in the end it's a question of personal taste since all global instant message tools do their job.
Cheers

@Rui,

Just downloaded Miranda-IM and testing it today. I will let you
know my experience using it. :)

Thanks

-BP

@Rui,

I don't believe Miranda-IM can be uninstalled in Windows 2000. I
searched the knowledgebase, community forum, google and the
only info was uninstalling plugins. Also tried control panel -->
add/remove programs, I looked in Miranda's install directory and
no uninstaller exists. I guess it will stay on my system until I redo
it completely. :roll: That's a big drawback. Also, some plugins
have problems when say MSN or Yahoo have changed their protocals.
You would have to create your own plugin or wait for someone to
do this. Miranda is very customizable and it's resource use is much
less than other IM's. I guess the trade-off between easy to setup
and use verses customizable and low resource use is a decision
left up to the user. I like ease of setup for now, since I have only
one person who has to reach me while I'm online. Other wise I don't
really need IM at all. :)

-BP

Hi BP :D,
You can't uninstall it, right?
Neither do I, but I'm running the GANT pack that comes in a zipfile.
And that one doesn't have any installer/uninstaller.
You just need to erase it from your system.
I'm not sure if the regular installer version comes with an uninstall routine, but since it doesn't store anything in the registry, it is highly unlikely that it does ;-)
Anyway, and as I had previously emphasized, Miranda is both highly customizable but also less easy to setup than any other IM out there.
Cheers BP

i've been using gaim for a year or two- works fine for me-- except for some reason it rejects the whole message when it contains some symbols (like the euro). Haven't had any problems with file transfers between gaim and aim and trillian lately but have aim installed for those circumstances. I also hate the look and feel of trillian. I'm surprised there isn't an IM plugin for firefox yet! :P