Top Messenging Clients

[Mr Bigman]

I use the windows live messenger but it takes up resources i can use for other things. Ive gave Trillian a shot but i seen it takes up resources also.

What are the best chat clients that use the smallest about of resources?

People like AIM, Yahoo and MSN, but all use up resurces.

[supra]

i only use xfire nows but i used to use miranda.

http://www.miranda-im.org/

[|MaguS|]

Pidgin does all the major clients in one...

[einstein_314]

I use the windows live messenger but it takes up resources i can use for other things. Ive gave Trillian a shot but i seen it takes up resources also.

What are the best chat clients that use the smallest about of resources?

People like AIM, Yahoo and MSN, but all use up resurces.
Ummmm....are you THAT much of a resource *****? I have 5 msn live conversations open and it's using 16MB of RAM......If that is affecting your computer's performance, you need to get a new computer.

[buffbiff21]

AIM is what I grew up on.

[Mr Bigman]

I used Aim back in the AOL days and no it doesn't effect my rig. Im kinda looking for something that is very skinnable and does well on startup .

[wnd]

I prefer using IRC exclusively, but since there are still a few people out there using weird protocols such as MSN, I use Bitlbee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitlbee) to tunnel most of the other protocols to my favourite IRC client.

[Tr1cK]

Pidgin

[evilghost]

I prefer using IRC exclusively, but since there are still a few people out there using weird protocols such as MSN, I use Bitlbee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitlbee) to tunnel most of the other protocols to my favourite IRC client.

Another Bitlbee user here, I use BitchX as my IRC client of choice.

[radekhulan]

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is the best client for the best protocol. It can do online/offline text messages, audio and video calls, file transfers, folder sync between people, share contacts with Live.com (5/10GB email box), automatically update contact profiles (phone number, location, etc.), and million other things. You can even implement Live.com and Messenger for your own domain, for free: https://domains.live.com/

If you choose any "alternative" client, you will go against MSFT EULA, and get much less functionality.

But if you think client taking 20MB of memory is too much for you, get Miranda without any plugins, it can take 3-4MB only. Beware though, only online text messages will work, nothing else. Third-party MSN clients are garbage (including clients for other protocols, like all Jabber clients, eventhough it is an open protocol, but as each Jabber server implements different extensions, you cannot rely on them).

http://radekhulan.cz/img/live/wlm-pc.jpg

[Tork64]

Paltalk here.

[evilghost]

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is the best client for the best protocol. It can do online/offline text messages, audio and video calls, file transfers, folder sync between people, share contacts with Live.com (5/10GB email box), automatically update contact profiles (phone number, location, etc.), and million other things. You can even implement Live.com and Messenger for your own domain, for free: https://domains.live.com/

http://www.fearthebeard.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/mr-t-says.jpg

[superklye]

I use Meebo (www.meebo.com) to sign into Yahoo!, MSN/Windows Live, Gtalk and AIM all at the same time. Plus, it's browser-based so it doesn't suck a TON of resources.

At home I just use AIM and Gtalk (Yahoo and MSN/WL are for work) and use the separate stand-alone apps for both. AIM 6 takes up like 80MB of memory. It's a ****ing hog.

[wnd]

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 -- It can do online/offline text messages, audio and video calls, file transfers, folder sync between people, share contacts with Live.com (5/10GB email box), automatically update contact profiles (phone number, location, etc.), and million other things.

That's my point! IRC does text messages -- without all that bs. Also, most IRC client do not automagically upload your personal information, mother's maiden name, credit card number and million other things to Redmond, WA, USA.


If you choose any "alternative" client, you will go against MSFT EULA

Unfortunately quick search with Google did not educate me about MSFT EULA, so please do amuse me and post a link to it.

Apart from the EULA, I hope we can stop this here.

[Q]

If I do ONLY AIM, then I run AIM 5.5 with DeadAim.

Pidgin (GAIM) has grown a lot, and is finally decent enough on Win32.


Edit: Meebo is great, except for all the spam IMs you get when you first login.

Radekhulan, could you please post a picture of one of the checks MS sends you? I want to know if its normal size or novelty size like the checks that pro golfers get when they win a tournament.

[evilghost]

Honestly, if I were one of Radekhulan's contacts I'd be a little annoyed he posted my contact details.

[wnd]

Honestly, if I were one of Radekhulan's contacts I'd be a little annoyed he posted my contact details.

Well, some people just love receiving mail, be it physical or electronical. You know, there can be a USD 15,450,000 deal waiting for you, cheap software, and even a funny electronic postcard that keeps giving! Besides, you may have already won USD 2,000,000 from PROMOTIONAL MOLDOVIAN NATIONAL LOTTERY.

[evilghost]

Well, some people just love receiving mail, be it physical or electronical. You know, there can be a USD 15,450,000 deal waiting for you, cheap software, and even a funny electronic postcard that keeps giving! Besides, you may have already won USD 2,000,000 from PROMOTIONAL MOLDOVIAN NATIONAL LOTTERY.

I usually find I'm constantly having to update my billings informations.

[radekhulan]

Unfortunately quick search with Google did not educate me about MSFT EULA, so please do amuse me and post a link to it.

Apart from the EULA, I hope we can stop this here.

You should learn how to search...

http://tou.live.com/en-us/default.aspx

In using the service, you may not: use any unauthorized third party software or service to access the Microsoft instant messaging network (currently known as the .NET Messenger service);

[Dragunov]

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is the best client for the best protocol. It can do online/offline text messages, audio and video calls, file transfers, folder sync between people, share contacts with Live.com (5/10GB email box), automatically update contact profiles (phone number, location, etc.), and million other things. You can even implement Live.com and Messenger for your own domain, for free: https://domains.live.com/




Where to find 8.5?

I have the 8.1 latest Beta now

thx

[radekhulan]

Where to find 8.5?

I have the 8.1 latest Beta now

thx

http://get.live.com/en-us/betas/messenger_betas

[Dragunov]

thx

It seems it was already installed, but I also use the Dutch language file from 8.1 and that's why it says 8.1 beta, but version is: 8.5. 1238.0601

[evilghost]

Here's the list of authorized clients...er companies that paid the Microsoft extortion fee, http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Authorized.aspx

[wnd]

You should learn how to search...

It must be Google's personalised search. It tends to filter out most of the garbage. It could also be because the page you linked does not contain the abbreviation "MSFT" in it at all.


4. How You May Not Use the Service.

In using the service, you may not:
# use any unauthorized third party software or service to access the Microsoft instant messaging network (currently known as the .NET Messenger service);


That's just sad, but I suppose they can set the rules for their servers. Being the anarchist I am I think I'll just continue breaking the EULA (I never saw before) until they close me out the service.

And then going fully off-topic:


9. Privacy.

In order to provide you the service, we may collect certain information about service performance, your machine and your service use. We may automatically upload this information from your machine. This data will not personally identify you. --

10. Software.

We may automatically check your version of the software. We may automatically download upgrades to the software to your computer to update, enhance and further develop the service.


Anonymously? "Enhance"? "Further develop"?-) So if I accepted this EULA, I would allow Microsoft to collect information about my computer usage, upload new crap to my computer, and basically do whatever they please. Sounds good.

Against all the odds I found the contract most uninteresting. No funny things in it I've come to expect from Microsoft.

[radekhulan]

It must be Google's personalised search. It tends to filter out most of the garbage. It could also be because the page you linked does not contain the abbreviation "MSFT" in it at all.

Every kid knows that MSFT = Microsoft Corporation (on NASDAQ)
http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=MSFT

Btw, do you really think EULA / Service agreement at other IM providers is significantly better?

http://www.google.com/accounts/TOS
http://www.google.com/talk/terms.html
http://www.icq.com/legal/license_agreement_atlas.html
http://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/messenger/messengertos/messengertos-279.html