A new version of Instan-t Enterprise Messenger

This new version of Instan-t includes a wide range of improvements and brand new collaborative features that allows an integration to meet enterprises´ specific needs. In this way, companies can prevent their users from running public IMs (MSN ®, Gtalk®, AOL®, ICQ® & Yahoo®) and control who is allowed to communicate with them. Besides, it offers multi person chat with voice and video, centralized message archiving, send and receive SMS to/from mobile devices, integration with Active Directory, online presentations and computer sharing, among others. Finally, its web-based administration console permits complete control of the IM network in addition to new possibilities as custom defined management levels, create and modify users, enable or disable specific features and check monthly and daily new user registration statistics.

The company offers both a server and a hosted (ASP) model and four enterprise editions with different sets of features to adapt to the needs and budget of each organization.

If you are interested, more information is available here.

Free trials are available here.

Vbuzzer Messenger

Vbuzzer is an unique instant messenger that combines VoIP, internet fax, RSS, and multi protocol with Windows Live, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ Instant Messengers. While we all know a few other "all-in-ones" out there, none offers the same "all-in-one" to the extent Vbuzzer offers (VoIP+Fax+RSS+Multi Protocol).

I like Vbuzzer's robustness, stability and clearness. Noticing it didn't embed the GIPS engine as everyone else have done, Vbuzzer still achieves great voice quality in all network conditions that can rival Skype, if not better. The multi-protocol IM
function is also my favorite daily tool.

You can download Vbuzzer here.

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.

iVisit - Video Conferencing for PC and Mac

iVisit is an application which can be used for multi-party video conferencing. You can share all kind of files (pictures, videos, music, etc.) during the conversation. It has versions for both PC and Mac. You can interact privately one on one, in eight way videoconference rooms, 100 party channels. iVisit is great for teams, business meetings, schools, communities. The lite version is absolutely free.

Related: What to do if you forget your iVisit password.

Textbased MSN Client

TMSNC (from Textbased MSN Client) is a textbased (console) client for the MSN Messenger protocol. It works on Linux, MacOS and BSD systems. The goal of this project is to create a client like MSN Messenger (with sound, webcam and file transfer support), but without any graphical features. The current version of this messenger is 0.3.2. You can download Textbased MSN Client here.

KMess - Open Source Messenger for Linux

KMess (current version: 1.5-pre2) is an open source chat client for Linux which allows you to chat with your friends who are using MSN Messenger. It focuses on the specific features of MSN.

Some of the main features of KMess are:

• Support for group chats with multiple contacts.
• Picture and file transfers.
• Emoticons and text formatting are supported.
• Chat logging.

You can read more about its features here and download it here.

ooVoo - Video Messenger

ooVoo is a free application which you can use to talk face-to-face with your friends with high quality video and audio. Using ooVoo you are able to:

• Include up to five people in your conversation.
• Send video messages to a specific person or a group of them.
• Of course, text messages and file transfers are possible.

The application has a nice 3d video interface which is convenient and intuitive and nicely compliments the Vista style. All you need is a webcam and a headset (or separate microphone and speakers, of course). The installation takes up to 20 MB.

It seems that ooVoo is trying to be a competitor of Skype. Unfortunately, with ooVoo you cannot call out to standard phones. However there is click-to-call, and the ability to send video messages to non-ooVoo users. The quality of the video and the sound is definitely noticeable.

The ooVoo instant messenger is definitely a very interesting and useful application. One of the biggest problems would be to convince your contacts to switch to ooVoo.

I've found here an interesting story of two people who married using the ooVoo messenger. I don't know if it's real but it sounds like a funny and exciting story.

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.
  

IMVITE - Multi-Messenger

The IMVITE multi-messenger is a free application that puts you in control. Users can control who can see their online status and Imvite supports all major platforms: MSN, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ and more. Imvite supports news feeds, Google search and online shopping.

With IMVITE to IMVITE chat, messages are secured with 128 bit encryption, ensuring maximum privacy.

IMVITE features a spam free zone with Free worldwide PC-to-PC calls. With a speaker and a microphone, users can chat with friends and colleagues worldwide free of charge.

The most important features are:

• All-in-one Instant Messenger. Chat with all your contacts from YAHOO, MSN, AOL and ICQ. Chat with your friends on different networks all at once.
• Free Live Video & Audio Chat!
• Personalized RSS News, Encrypted Secure Chat, Share Files, and much more.
• Cash Rebates on all your purchases from over 1,000 stores at the IMVITE Shopping Mall.
• The free version includes all these features.

More details are available here.
To download it, you must register here (free).

Lycos Phone Beta - an amazing offer

Lycos Phone Beta offers the following great features:

- Free US phone number;
- 100 free minutes just to start and then earn free talk time through partner offers;
- Lycos Phone is not just a great phone. Upload your MP3 files and listen to music while you chat. Add a webcam for video calls. Watch movie trailers, music videos, and live TV from Bloomberg, NASA, and more...

Of course features like free pc-to-pc calls, free incoming calls, low rates are available. Also, sign up with your e-mail address and you'll receive free gold membership.

The main window shows rotating ads. However if you use some of the advertised products, you'll receive cash in your Lycos Phone account.

Screenshot of the main window

By signing up you receive $1 and a free US phone number as a gold member. I already received a number and tested it, so this is one of the great features of this service.

Official website

Download

Gaim - A multi-protocol IM client

As many people on the internet like applications like Trillian and IM2, there is also another very popular instant messaging client, called Gaim. It has everything you need and one of the best things is that it's open-source.

Gaim is a multi-protocol instant messaging client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. It is compatible with AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks.

Gaim users can log in to multiple accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on AOL Instant Messenger, talking to a friend on Yahoo Messenger, and sitting in an IRC channel all at the same time.

Gaim supports many features of the various networks, such as file transfer, away messages, typing notification, and MSN window closing notification. It also goes beyond that and provides many unique features. A few popular features are Buddy Pounces, which give the ability to notify you, send a message, play a sound, or run a program when a specific buddy goes away, signs online, or returns from idle; and plugins, consisting of text replacement, a buddy ticker, extended message notification, iconify on away, spell checking, tabbed conversations, and more.

Gaim runs on a number of platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Qtopia (Sharp Zaurus and iPaq).

Gaim integrates well with GNOME 2 and KDE 3's system tray, as well as Windows's own system tray. This allows you to work with Gaim without requiring the buddy list window to be up at all times.

Download v1.5.0
Beta - Gaim 2.0.0beta1
Beta - Gaim 2.0.0beta2

OpenWengo - connecting your phone to the future

OpenWengo is an open source project, initiated by the French company Wengo, itself backed by neuf telecom. They provide a standards-based VoIP platform - they are committed to providing unlimited free telephony and enhanced features to the users, while promoting innovative usage-driven services.

WengoPhone is a multiplatform SIP softphone which offers free PC-to-PC audio, video and text messaging. Call-out to phones and mobiles is also available at good rates.

Download for Windows 2000/XP
Download for Linux (Debian package)
Currently there is no release for MacOS.

AIM Triton for Windows

Time Warner Inc.'s America Online has upgraded its instant-message service to help win users and boost advertising sales.

The latest version of the software, to be made available over the next three months, improves existing voice and video chat services, and adds Internet calling and access to 20 XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. stations, AOL spokeswoman Krista Thomas said Tuesday.

The slogan of Triton is "I am everything you need to communicate". Here are the features included in this version:

• Now there's room in your Buddy List® feature for 500 of your closest friends. Organize your chats, your buddies' Away Messages, and use IM to send gigantic files.
• Use AIM Talk® to go from typing to talking, right from the comfort of your Buddy List® feature. Free.
• Look your buddies in the eye while you chat with them. Video chat lets you switch from an Instant Message chat to a high-quality video conference.
• AIM® Mail is a mere click away from the Instant Messenger™ service. With 2GBs of storage, a handy "Unsend" button and industry-leading spam and virus protection, AIM Mail is the only email you need.
• Now you can access your Buddy List® feature on your mobile device to send and receive IMs. You can also send IMs from your computer to your buddies' cell phones.
• Blogging directly from the messenger.

Click here to download.

IM2 - Great and free messenger

IM2 (or Instant Messenger 2) is a good alternative of Trillian. You can use it for:

• MSN
  
• AIM
• ICQ
• IRC
• Yahoo

The interface is comfortable and IM2 supports skins if you want to change windows' view. It is translated to French, German, Russian, Italian and more languages.
Also IM2 allows secure encrypted chat, video and audio chat.

Click here to go to the official website of this project and here to download the current version.

Screenshots: 1

Updates:
03 February 2006 - IM2 2.0 FINAL
04 January 2006 - IM2 2.0 Build 268 RC8

New versions of some messengers

There are some new versions of popular instant messengers.

AOL Instant Messenger Triton 0.9.13 Beta
This new beta version can be downloaded here.

Miranda IM 0.4.0.3 Build 39 Beta
Also a beta version. Download here.

Google Talk 1.0.0.76
Download here.

QIP 2005a Build 7600
A new version of the Qip messenger. Download here.

Some of these messengers' features are described in other posts in this blog.

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.

QIP - the messenger of the Russians

http://qip.ru

QIP is a unique closed source computer program for immediate cross-Internet communication. The basic functionality of QIP enables its users to see who else is online and available and then easily contact them with text messages in real time sent through a public server. QIP development currently is in the Alpha stage therefore you should understand probability of facing some bugs.

Download here

Updates:
23-May-2006 - New release: Click to download QIP 2005 Build 7920
16-February-2006 - New release: Download QIP 2005a Build 7820 Alpha
12 January 2006 - New release: Download QIP 2005a Build 7810 Alpha
02 January 2006 - New release: Download QIP 2005a Build 7800 Alpha

[New Release] Miranda v0.4.0.3 Alpha 34

http://miranda-im.org

A new alpha version of Miranda has been released.

Miranda is all-in-one chat client. It has many plugins, skins, etc.
It's open source and much lighter than other such applications.

Download It Here

Updates:
30-01-2006 - New release: Miranda IM 0.4.0.3 Build 46 Alpha
19-01-2006 - New release: Miranda 0.4.0.2 Final
02-01-2006 - New release: Download it here: Miranda IM 0.4.0.3 Build 43 Alpha

Trillian - All-in-one instant messenger

http://www.ceruleanstudios.com

Trillian is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports

• AIM
  
• ICQ
• MSN
• Yahoo Messenger
• IRC

The professional non-free version has even more capabilities.

Trillian provides capabilities not possible with original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings. Just everything you might want to use.

Without stealing your home page and with no other included software, pop-ups, or spyware, Trillian provides unique functionality such as contact message history, a powerful skinning language, tabbed messaging, global status changes (set all networks away at once), Instant Lookup (automatic Wikipedia integration), contact alerts, an advanced automation system to trigger events based on anything happening in the client, docking, hundreds of emoticons, emotisounds, shell extensions for file transfers, and systray notifications.

For Windows:

Download here: http://www.download.com/3001-2150_4-10367846.html

Screenshots from Trillian:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4