Instant Messengers

Which Instant Messenger(s) do you use?

Recently, I've been looking into several Multi-IMs (instant messengers which support multiple protocols, e.g. MSN, AIM etc).

Which is your favourite, and why?

I just use the basic WLM 8.1 at the moment, though i did use trillion for a long time and it was very good, i just no longer have a need for it as i do not use AIM or anything at all, solely MSN

Pidgin/GAIM is brilliant the only drawback for it at the moment is the way file transfers are handled which makes them rather slow but it's the best free multi network IM client out there imho.

You could give writing your own MSN client a go with the dotMSN library.
http://www.xihsolutions.net/dotmsn/generaldesign.html

I downloaded Pidgin the other day, only to encounter an annoying error - it works fine with my gmail account, just when I sign in with my hotmail account, loads and loads of messages (too many of them appear, and none of them display anything) popup, eventually crashing the program. I assume that they are notifications for each of my hotmail contacts...

If Pidgin did work, I am sure it would be an excellent IM. I used to use the old GAIM when it came out, and that was decent.

Trillian Basic isn't great... Pro looks good (but requires payment). Trillian Astra has started its Alpha testing stage, and looks to be decent.

I also downloaded Miranda, which isn't too bad, except that their server is down, so I haven't been able to look up any decent plugins (I'm looking for a skype plugin, atm).

I have several accounts - Skype, MSN, several Gmails, XFire - and have never found a client that supports all of them.

Adium for Mac OSX is also a good IM client although has a community made xfire plugin but I've had nothing but crashes from that.

MirandaIM is another good windows IM client that takes a modular approach to styling and can take a bit of getting used to but looks great once you've got it customised exactly how you want it.

Pidgin is great if I wish to use AIM, or Yahoo Messenger as I don't particularly like the propitiatory clients. MSN, I use Windows Live Messenger 8.1 for stability and ease of use. Trillian Bsic I used fior a log time, though it proved to be quite laggy or slow at times, especially on start up. The GTalk VOIP service is lightweight and reasonable at times, though my Pidgin also connects to GTalk. Skype, however is my preference for most VOIP, where I use features including but not limited too conference calling, video conferencing and other features like SkypeOut.

Trillian Astra looks interesting, I will give it a run

xFire I use when gaming, but not consistently.

Incidentally, the new steam client is quite good, with in game IM and VOIP.

How many people lie? Valve Steam spec survey reveals...

Steam Community and new client launched - what do you think?

Adium for Mac OSX is generally a good client, as MSN Messenger for Mac is outdated.
Mactopia...or not? Microsoft software and support for Mac?

Personally I like MSN the most, I don't like AIM, AIM users say MSN looks noob and all but they know the OLD MSN, not the Windows Live one....

Anyways, I think I like MSN since i'm pretty used to it.... I used MSN even before Internet Explorer lol!

Update on new instant messengers.

I thought I might post an update, because there's been quite alot of progress made in this particular area of software design.

Trillian Astra is in invite-only Alpha testing (I haven't been able to get myself invited...) and is designed for cross-platform and multi-protocol use. I.e. on different devices (including the iPhone) and on difference IM protocols (e.g. MSN, AIM etc.). I use Trillian Pro at the moment, which is pretty decent. I connect to my MSN, Gmail and XFire accounts simultaneously. Astra will permit connections to: IRC, MSN, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, Jabber, XFire, MySpace IM and more.

PlayXpert is designed as an alternative to xfire with multi-protocol support (currently for MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Google Talk and XFire), including built-in Voip and also in-game chat. This looks pretty decent to me, and I've already signed up to be notified of its release. I do suspect, however, that it will hog resources.

Best instant messengers

Digsby (Windows)

The youngest application by far to make the Hive Five, Digsby has taken the world by storm since we first mentioned it in February.Boasting integration with all of your IM networks as well as your emailand social networking (Facebook and MySpace included), Digsby isconverting new users left and right with their simple but appealingformula: IM + Email + Social Networking = Digsby. Currently a Windowsonly app, Digsby's developers promise that Mac and Linux versions arein the oven—and that they're constantly squashing bugs from thestill-young Windows version.Pidgin (Windows/Linux)

Formerlyknown as Gaim, this cross-platform, open source IM client has a hugefollowing on both Windows and Linux platforms, estimating over 3million users in 2007. Much like Firefox, Pidgin is open andextensible, meaning you can add your own improved functionality andtools to Pidgin by simply installing a plug-in (like one of these 10 must-have Pidgin plug-ins.)Meebo (Web)

By far the most popular web-based chat application, Meebo boasts support for all popular chat networks, video and voice chat, and even an iPhone interface.Meebo's main appeal is that it works wherever you are, no matter whatoperating system you're using, as long as you've got a web browser andan internet connection. Can't go wrong with that.Adium (Mac OS X)

The overwhelming favorite chat app for OS X, Adium puts Apple's defaultIM application, iChat, to shame. Like Pidgin, Adium is highlycustomizable, extensible with plug-ins, and works across all yourfavorite IM networks. In fact, Adium is kind of like a brother from adifferent mother to Pidgin; it got its brain from Pidgin's daddy, libpurple, but its looks straight from the dangerous maiden that is OS X.Trillian (Windows)

Once an overwhelming favorite for cross-network instant messaging,Trillian has lost a lot of users to newer apps like Digsby or fresherones like Pidgin. That said, the long-awaited update to Trillian, Trillian Astra,is still in alpha, and those who have tried it continue to place all oftheir IM trust to Trillian. In the future, Trillian is also promising a Mac release along with an iPhone version, so it may have plenty of life in it yet.
Now let's see if we can't crown a favorite.
Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this inan RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled webbrowser.

Honorable mention goes to Miranda IM and Google Talk/Google Chat, both of which barely missed the cut.

I've just installed Digsby, and I think it's excellent!

It is really easy to set up, looks good, and is synced with all my mail and messenging accounts, plus my social networking accounts! Mem usage is 130,000K, with 0 CPU usage if you're not typing in it.

There don't seem to be any bugs or problems with it so far, but as far as i can see, it's a must-have. 4.5/5 rating (it doesnt have skype or xfire compatibility yet, or not as far as i know). I'm logged into AIM, Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Myspace and Facebook simultaneously.

Personally, I don't like using AIM but since its the only thing all my friends use, I'm stuck with it. Well, there is 1 person I know who uses MSN, and my e-mail is Yahoo, so I use Trillian which combines all 3 networks. Trillian has better and more features than Pidgin but it is much more glitchy. Pidgin is just about the best free multi-protocol IM program you can get. With Meebo, I just plain heard nothing good about that.