6 multiclient IM apps to talk about

Using numerous talk services is staggering, while limiting yourself to one service just doesn’t cut it any longer. These multiclient IM apps broaden and simplify.

A multitude of multiclient instant-messaging services have cropped up that permit users to communicate with each other over the Web. Some can be downloaded onto your desktop, while others can be accessed on the Internet. In either case, they’re worth attempting out, if you want to love a fine practice communicating with your friends.

Multiclient IM resources

Adium Adium is my beloved multiclient instant-messaging instrument for a few reasons. It supports practically any IM platform around, including AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook, MySpace, Google Talk (via Jabber), and more. It even has a plug-in for Skype.

You’ll infrequently have any trouble communicating with friends in the service. But its most redeeming quality is that it’s open source. So, if you want to modify the code to fit your own IM desires, that’s possible. And those in the open-source community are permanently improving the product, whose updates typically install with ease.

When you download Adium (it’s available for Mac OS X), you’ll have the option of choosing your IM service. By default, Adium takes on the same design as Mac OS X. But with the help of some plug-ins from Adium’s site, called "Xtras," you can customize it as you see fit. Those add-ons include emoticons, dock icons, scripts, and more. I could go on about Adium, but I think that you get the point: if you’re a Mac OS X user, it’s worth attempting out.

Digsby Digsby is a multifaceted device that lets you communicate with friends over instant messaging, e-mail, or social networks. I recently took a look at its social-networking capabilities . After having the chance to use its IM services, I was just as affected.

After installing Digsby on my Windows PC (Mac and Linux versions are reportedly on the way), I was able to log in to my accounts on AIM, Yahoo Mail, Facebook, and others. Digsby’s app is designed well, with a more attractive interface than Adium’s default skin. Digsby also gives you the option of sending an SMS text message from the application. Overall, I liked Digsby.

Digsby lets you talk with anyone at any time. Digsby

eBuddy eBuddy is a Web-based multiclient instant-messaging app through which you can connect to AIM, Yahoo IM, MSN, Facebook, ICQ, and MySpace. Albeit it provides a bunch of options, eBuddy doesn’t fairly stand up to the competition. It’s not as responsive as some of the other apps in this roundup, and I was unimpressed by its design. That said, I did like that I could view my Facebook friends’ profiles by clicking on a link in the client. I also liked that the app opens in a separate window–I find it more convenient than switching to a tab. Plus, it’s available for Android-based phones, as well as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

Meebo Like eBuddy, Meebo is a Web-based instant-messaging instrument that lets you communicate with friends on AIM, MySpace, Yahoo, and MSN. You can also talk with Facebook and Google Talk friends.

When you go to the Meebo home page, you have the option of inputting your credentials for any of those services. The instant messaging on Meebo is outstanding. It’s the same interface for all the sites, but you can get pals’ contact information, see their Facebook status, and even check out their entire Facebook profile by clicking on the adequate link, which opens the profile in another tab. Meebo is one of the more popular multiclient IM devices on the Web for good reason–it’s ordinary, responsive, and boasts support for a multitude of clients. Even better, you can use it on your iPhone .

Meebo lets you talk with your Facebook friends. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Pidgin Similar to Adium, Pidgin is an open-source IM client that permits you to modify it as you wish. If you don’t want to do that, you’ll still be pleased with the software.

Once installed, Pidgin gives you the option of signing into your various IM accounts. You can talk with friends on AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MySpace, and others at the same time. It’s not as good-looking as some of its competitors, but it’s designed more for the power user who wants to be able to talk with as many people at a time as possible. Pidgin is ideally suited for Windows machines, so that may be a problem for some. If you want to use an open-source instant-messaging platform on a Mac, Adium is your best bet.

Pidgin asks you to create accounts when you very first begin it up. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Trillian Trillian is a desktop IM client that supports instant messaging on AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and Internet Relay Talk. Unluckily, it’s available only to Windows users at this time. The company is promising Mac and iPhone support in its follow-up version of the software, called Trillian Astra.

Overall, I was truly affected by Trillian. It supports the standard features like group talk, audio talk, and the option to view profiles. But having the capability to switch skins was fairly appealing. I was able to customize the practice to match my tastes. From dark to bright, there’s at least one skin for everyone. Trillian is, fairly simply, the most beautiful multiclient IM service in this roundup. If you want more functionality (such as bringing in your Google Talk contacts), you can also buy Trillian Pro, which costs $25.

My top Trio

1. Adium: Customization is king.

Two. Trillian: Beauty matters, and Trillian supplies.

Three. Meebo: The best Web-based multiclient IM app.

6 multiclient IM apps to talk about

6 multiclient IM apps to talk about

Using numerous talk services is tremendous, while limiting yourself to one service just doesn’t cut it any longer. These multiclient IM apps broaden and simplify.

A diversity of multiclient instant-messaging services have cropped up that permit users to communicate with each other over the Web. Some can be downloaded onto your desktop, while others can be accessed on the Internet. In either case, they’re worth attempting out, if you want to love a fine practice communicating with your friends.

Multiclient IM resources

Adium Adium is my beloved multiclient instant-messaging implement for a few reasons. It supports practically any IM platform around, including AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook, MySpace, Google Talk (via Jabber), and more. It even has a plug-in for Skype.

You’ll uncommonly have any trouble communicating with friends in the service. But its most redeeming quality is that it’s open source. So, if you want to modify the code to fit your own IM desires, that’s possible. And those in the open-source community are permanently improving the product, whose updates typically install with ease.

When you download Adium (it’s available for Mac OS X), you’ll have the option of choosing your IM service. By default, Adium takes on the same design as Mac OS X. But with the help of some plug-ins from Adium’s site, called "Xtras," you can customize it as you see fit. Those add-ons include emoticons, dock icons, scripts, and more. I could go on about Adium, but I think that you get the point: if you’re a Mac OS X user, it’s worth attempting out.

Digsby Digsby is a multifaceted implement that lets you communicate with friends over instant messaging, e-mail, or social networks. I recently took a look at its social-networking capabilities . After having the chance to use its IM services, I was just as struck.

After installing Digsby on my Windows PC (Mac and Linux versions are reportedly on the way), I was able to log in to my accounts on AIM, Yahoo Mail, Facebook, and others. Digsby’s app is designed well, with a more attractive interface than Adium’s default skin. Digsby also gives you the option of sending an SMS text message from the application. Overall, I liked Digsby.

Digsby lets you talk with anyone at any time. Digsby

eBuddy eBuddy is a Web-based multiclient instant-messaging app through which you can connect to AIM, Yahoo IM, MSN, Facebook, ICQ, and MySpace. Albeit it provides a bunch of options, eBuddy doesn’t fairly stand up to the competition. It’s not as responsive as some of the other apps in this roundup, and I was unimpressed by its design. That said, I did like that I could view my Facebook friends’ profiles by clicking on a link in the client. I also liked that the app opens in a separate window–I find it more convenient than switching to a tab. Plus, it’s available for Android-based phones, as well as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

Meebo Like eBuddy, Meebo is a Web-based instant-messaging instrument that lets you communicate with friends on AIM, MySpace, Yahoo, and MSN. You can also talk with Facebook and Google Talk friends.

When you go to the Meebo home page, you have the option of inputting your credentials for any of those services. The instant messaging on Meebo is outstanding. It’s the same interface for all the sites, but you can get pals’ contact information, see their Facebook status, and even check out their entire Facebook profile by clicking on the adequate link, which opens the profile in another tab. Meebo is one of the more popular multiclient IM implements on the Web for good reason–it’s elementary, responsive, and boasts support for a diversity of clients. Even better, you can use it on your iPhone .

Meebo lets you talk with your Facebook friends. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Pidgin Similar to Adium, Pidgin is an open-source IM client that permits you to modify it as you wish. If you don’t want to do that, you’ll still be pleased with the software.

Once installed, Pidgin gives you the option of signing into your various IM accounts. You can talk with friends on AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MySpace, and others at the same time. It’s not as good-looking as some of its competitors, but it’s designed more for the power user who wants to be able to talk with as many people at a time as possible. Pidgin is ideally suited for Windows machines, so that may be a problem for some. If you want to use an open-source instant-messaging platform on a Mac, Adium is your best bet.

Pidgin asks you to create accounts when you very first embark it up. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Trillian Trillian is a desktop IM client that supports instant messaging on AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and Internet Relay Talk. Unluckily, it’s available only to Windows users at this time. The company is promising Mac and iPhone support in its follow-up version of the software, called Trillian Astra.

Overall, I was indeed amazed by Trillian. It supports the standard features like group talk, audio talk, and the option to view profiles. But having the capability to switch skins was fairly appealing. I was able to customize the practice to match my tastes. From dark to bright, there’s at least one skin for everyone. Trillian is, fairly simply, the most beautiful multiclient IM service in this roundup. If you want more functionality (such as bringing in your Google Talk contacts), you can also buy Trillian Pro, which costs $25.

My top Trio

1. Adium: Customization is king.

Two. Trillian: Beauty matters, and Trillian supplies.

Trio. Meebo: The best Web-based multiclient IM app.

6 multiclient IM apps to talk about

6 multiclient IM apps to talk about

Using numerous talk services is breathtaking, while limiting yourself to one service just doesn’t cut it any longer. These multiclient IM apps broaden and simplify.

A multitude of multiclient instant-messaging services have cropped up that permit users to communicate with each other over the Web. Some can be downloaded onto your desktop, while others can be accessed on the Internet. In either case, they’re worth attempting out, if you want to love a fine practice communicating with your friends.

Multiclient IM resources

Adium Adium is my dearest multiclient instant-messaging device for a few reasons. It supports practically any IM platform around, including AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook, MySpace, Google Talk (via Jabber), and more. It even has a plug-in for Skype.

You’ll uncommonly have any trouble communicating with friends in the service. But its most redeeming quality is that it’s open source. So, if you want to modify the code to fit your own IM desires, that’s possible. And those in the open-source community are permanently improving the product, whose updates typically install with ease.

When you download Adium (it’s available for Mac OS X), you’ll have the option of choosing your IM service. By default, Adium takes on the same design as Mac OS X. But with the help of some plug-ins from Adium’s site, called "Xtras," you can customize it as you see fit. Those add-ons include emoticons, dock icons, scripts, and more. I could go on about Adium, but I think that you get the point: if you’re a Mac OS X user, it’s worth attempting out.

Digsby Digsby is a multifaceted contraption that lets you communicate with friends over instant messaging, e-mail, or social networks. I recently took a look at its social-networking capabilities . After having the chance to use its IM services, I was just as affected.

After installing Digsby on my Windows PC (Mac and Linux versions are reportedly on the way), I was able to log in to my accounts on AIM, Yahoo Mail, Facebook, and others. Digsby’s app is designed well, with a more attractive interface than Adium’s default skin. Digsby also gives you the option of sending an SMS text message from the application. Overall, I liked Digsby.

Digsby lets you talk with anyone at any time. Digsby

eBuddy eBuddy is a Web-based multiclient instant-messaging app through which you can connect to AIM, Yahoo IM, MSN, Facebook, ICQ, and MySpace. Albeit it provides a bunch of options, eBuddy doesn’t fairly stand up to the competition. It’s not as responsive as some of the other apps in this roundup, and I was unimpressed by its design. That said, I did like that I could view my Facebook friends’ profiles by clicking on a link in the client. I also liked that the app opens in a separate window–I find it more convenient than switching to a tab. Plus, it’s available for Android-based phones, as well as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

Meebo Like eBuddy, Meebo is a Web-based instant-messaging device that lets you communicate with friends on AIM, MySpace, Yahoo, and MSN. You can also talk with Facebook and Google Talk friends.

When you go to the Meebo home page, you have the option of inputting your credentials for any of those services. The instant messaging on Meebo is outstanding. It’s the same interface for all the sites, but you can get pals’ contact information, see their Facebook status, and even check out their entire Facebook profile by clicking on the suitable link, which opens the profile in another tab. Meebo is one of the more popular multiclient IM instruments on the Web for good reason–it’s ordinary, responsive, and boasts support for a multiplicity of clients. Even better, you can use it on your iPhone .

Meebo lets you talk with your Facebook friends. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Pidgin Similar to Adium, Pidgin is an open-source IM client that permits you to modify it as you wish. If you don’t want to do that, you’ll still be pleased with the software.

Once installed, Pidgin gives you the option of signing into your various IM accounts. You can talk with friends on AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, MySpace, and others at the same time. It’s not as good-looking as some of its competitors, but it’s designed more for the power user who wants to be able to talk with as many people at a time as possible. Pidgin is ideally suited for Windows machines, so that may be a problem for some. If you want to use an open-source instant-messaging platform on a Mac, Adium is your best bet.

Pidgin asks you to create accounts when you very first begin it up. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Trillian Trillian is a desktop IM client that supports instant messaging on AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and Internet Relay Talk. Unluckily, it’s available only to Windows users at this time. The company is promising Mac and iPhone support in its follow-up version of the software, called Trillian Astra.

Overall, I was truly struck by Trillian. It supports the standard features like group talk, audio talk, and the option to view profiles. But having the capability to switch skins was fairly appealing. I was able to customize the practice to match my tastes. From dark to bright, there’s at least one skin for everyone. Trillian is, fairly simply, the most beautiful multiclient IM service in this roundup. If you want more functionality (such as bringing in your Google Talk contacts), you can also buy Trillian Pro, which costs $25.

My top Trio

1. Adium: Customization is king.

Two. Trillian: Beauty matters, and Trillian supplies.

Trio. Meebo: The best Web-based multiclient IM app.

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