Pidgin tips and enhancements

After the rename and the new version Pidgin became more popular than ever. Some people started calling it "The Firefox of the instant messengers". However I think that Pidgin needs a lot of time and hard work to deserve such words. I've been using it for the last few days and here are some useful or not that useful but interesting tips I've found on the web:

How to configure Pidgin to work with Google Talk

Manast.com offers a working (at least for the most people) solution. Pidgin doesn't have all of the features of Google Talk client. However I feel much better using one application for most of the instant messaging protocols.

How to install Pidgin 2.0.0 on Ubuntu Feisty Fawn (7.04)

There are a lot of different solutions around the web but I prefer the Debuntu solution. Just add the Debuntu repository and then download and install Pidgin.

Visual enhancements

Here are some Pidgin themes, icons and emoticons:

• Original Yahoo and MSN emoticons for Pidgin - preview and download
  
• Human Theme - great for Ubuntu fans - preview and download
• Windows Vista style icons - preview and download
• OSX style icons - preview and download

Using Amarok? Show your friends what you are listening to

Get this Amarok script - it updates your Pidgin status message with what you are
currently listening to.


That is the list for now. I'll keep looking for other interesting tips and news related to Pidgin and I'll post them here.

Yahoo! Messenger for the Web

Techcrunch announced few hours ago that the Flash-based Yahoo! Web Messenger will be launched today. You can chat with both Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger friends because of the integration with the Microsoft's messenger. It doesn't have all the features of the desktop Yahoo! Messenger but it's looking very promising to me.

To start the web instant messenger go to http://webmessenger.yahoo.com or http://web.im.



More web based instant messengers are listed here.

More Web-Based Instant Messengers

About an year and a half ago I've posted a list of some of the most popular web-based instant messengers. Meanwhile many new versions and new messengers appeared. Here is a list of those of the messengers I've found most impressive and interesting:

• Ninja IM - Instant messaging for office ninjas
  http://www.ninjaim.com/
  Now you can IM with your friends and co-workers in the office! For all you who work in an office where IM clients like MSN messenger, Yahoo! messenger and Google Talk are prohibited, you'll love this.
  
• KoolIM
  http://www.koolim.com/
  KoolIM.com is a web messenger application that allows you to stay connected with your favorite Instant Messenger almost anywhere. You need a computer with just a browser only. You can sign in to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk and ICQ.
  
• Meetro
  http://www.meetro.com/
  Meetro is the world's first location-aware IM client and real-time social network - which means Meetro allows you to meet real people in your neighborhood. It works with MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk and AIM.
  
• RadiusIM
  http://www.radiusim.com/
  You can use your MSN, Yahoo and AIM accounts here. The most interesting thing here is that the users are placed on a map and you can see where your friends are and find more people in a region specified by you. You should definitely try it.
  
• Plugoo
  http://www.plugoo.com/
  You can use Plugoo to chat directly from your favorite instant messenger with any visitor of your blog or any website you own. When you’re logged into your instant messenger (Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, Google Talk, Jabber, ICQ), you can receive in real time all the comments of your visitors or any question they might ask, and answer instantly!
  

And these are the messengers I've already written about but they are worth mentioning again:

• Meebo
  http://www.meebo.com/
  In my opinion, this is best web-based messenger I've seen.
  
• Goowy
  http://www.goowy.com/
  Goowy is a service that offers you simple, intuitive tools for communicating and sharing on the web.
  
• Google Talk inside Gmail
  https://mail.google.com/
  Of course, everyone knows about the chat integrated into Gmail. One of the best additions to the Gmail interface.
  

Instant messengers becoming medium of choice

The researches show that more and more people are using Instant Messengers instead of emails.
Is the faster communication the only reason? Maybe the instant messaging is more like a live meeting between the people and this is really important for most of them.

This info is part of the results of the AOL's survey:

"Instant messaging is overtaking email as the preferred way to
communicate, especially among teens and young adults. Overall,
IM's are up 19 percent year over year, with many Americans sending
as many, if not more, IM's than they do emails, according to
AOL's Instant Messaging Trends Survey.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents say they send as many or more
IM's than emails. But for teens and young adults that number is
vastly higher with two-thrids reporting they send more IM's than
emails, up from 49 percent last year.

At work, 58 percent of IM users send instant messages to
colleagues for answers to questions, 49 percent to make business
decisions, and 29 percent use IM to interact with customers or
clients. Twelve percent have used IM to avoid a difficult
face-to-face conversation. "

Source: WebProNews

It's Time To Take Back Instant Messaging

This is an interesting article in Slashdot:

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/10/15/138220&from=rss

The TechZone says the world of instant messaging is a disjointed mess, and it's time for a citizen's revolt. From the article: "The obstacles in this case are three big companies: AOL, Yahoo! and Microsoft. Each wants to keep their networks closed, thereby forcing consumers to use their brand of software and effectively using their size to eliminate competition. Five years ago, Yahoo! and Microsoft were calling for then-leader AOL/ICQ to open their network to allow others to compete. They even successfully petitioned the FCC to restrict AOL's future developments before approving the AOL/Time Warner merger. When it was convenient for their business goals, Microsoft and Yahoo! waved the interoperability flag, but now that both companies have built substantial IM communities with their own closed networks, they have lost their passion for open networks."

Web Based Instant Messengers

Sometimes the web based messengers can be very useful - especially in work, school or somewhere else where installation of new software is forbidden (for example, look at that comment).
Many of them are not as comfortable as the regular instant messaging applications but they are working.

Here are some messengers for the most popular instant messaging protocols:

ICQ - ICQ2Go
http://www.icq.com/icq2go/
There are both Flash-based and Java-based versions.
Here are some screenshots from the Flash-based ICQ2Go. With Mozilla Firefox it looks strange sometimes but it works.
Screenshots: 1 | 2

AOL IM - AIM Express
http://www.aim.com/get_aim/express/aim_expr.adp
AIM Express lets you send instant messages directly from a Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, to anyone who has registered for AIM or who uses the America Online service. AIM Express respects your privacy and, best of all, its FREE. To use AIM Express, you must be a registered AIM user or subscribe to America Online.
I tried to use it but I always see this error. Maybe the problem is with my browser or its extensions. Here is a screenshot from the official website.

Jabber - JWChat.org
http://jwchat.org
It uses only HTML and Javascript. Looks interesting. Unfortunatelly, when I tried to login with my Google Talk account, Mozilla Firefox became "Non-responding". I'll try with another browser later.

MSN - MSN Web messenger
http://webmessenger.msn.com
MSN Web Messenger lets you talk online and in real-time with friends and family using just a web browser! Use it on any shared computer - at school, at work, at a friend's house or anywhere you can't install the MSN Messenger software.
Don't forget to allow the site in you popup blocker if you have one.
Screenshots: 1 | 2

MSN - Clientless Conversations
http://www.clientless.net/
This service allows you to use the popular MSN Messenger service with only a browser. No downloads required!
Do you need to chat at work, at home, at university, behind a firewall, or on a kiosk? Clientless Conversations is a free simplistic Web Based MSN Messenger Client which allows you to chat anywhere!

MSN - MSN2Go
http://msn2go.com
MSN2Go is a web-based MSN client or web-based MSN Messenger client that enables you to access the MSN Messenger network at work, school, or anywhere else.

I couldn't find a web-based messenger made by Yahoo. But e-Messenger supports YIM.

All-In-One - E-Messenger
http://e-messenger.net
e-Messenger is a web application that enables you to chat with your MSN, AOL and Yahoo buddies without having to install any program or Java applet. All you need is a JavaScript enabled browser and you're set to go and use e-Messenger. Even if you're behind a firewall.

All-In-One - Instant-Messenger.info
http://www.instant-messenger.info/
Here you can use MSN, AOL and Yahoo. It also doesn't use Java or Flash.

All-In-One - Meebo
http://www.meebo.com
Meebo is a really interesting all-in-one instant messaging client. It is based on Ajax and the interface is very comfortable. It doesn't have some special functions but it works great as a web-based messenger. Supported protocols are: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber, Google Talk, MSN.
Thanks to that visitor for the link about Meebo :-)

Goowy
http://www.goowy.com
Goowy is a web-based application offering Free Web Email service that enables you instant messaging, chat, file sharing and much more with your buddies from AOL, MSN, Yahoo and ICQ.