Latest Chat Software

MSN Messenger (known as MSN) is a program used to communicate with other MSN Messenger users in real time. Each user is required to have a passport account, which is linked to an email address that they can log in with. All Hotmail accounts are automatically Passport enabled. You can add users to your contact list by clicking the appropriate button and typing in their Passport Registered email address. You will only be able to send messages to this person when they are online and have selected to allow you to communicate with them. MSN Messenger is a Microsoft Product.

Download AIM here. > Source

Yahoo! Messenger, also known as YM, is of course, an attempt by Yahoo! to compete in the Instant Messaging game. With Yahoo’s great reputation online, this messenger had a head start. It’s continuing strong with allowing message archiving (if enabled), offline messages, Webcam support, its own games, the ability to choose scenery to chat in with other people, and more. With all these featues, the program is still small, compact and easy to use. YM’s user base isn’t the biggest (though it still has millions of people). If the smaller user base is not a problem for you, you can safely and easily check out YIM for Windows or Macintosh.

Download YM here. > Source

Do you have any Google account? Have you tried Gtalk? Google Talk is a Windows application for VOIP and instant messaging by Google. It is currently available for Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003 and Vista. The first beta version of the chat program was released last August 24, 2005. Gmail received chat functionality, and was integrated with Google Talk on February 7, 2006. Users can send instant messages to other Gmail users. The best thing about Google Talk is that you don’t have to download the program. All you have to do is sign-in to your Gmail account and presto – you can chat right away!

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an easy to use Instant Message program. It allows you to type to people online in real time, one on one, or even in a chat room. The program allows you to keep track of your “buddies” and organize them into groups so you can keep in touch with friends and family. When you get a message, this program opens a window with that message above all windows in the middle of your desktop. For every line someone types, it will go above all other windows on the screen. Talking to more than one person at a time is difficult, and being messaged by thousands of site visitors makes it impossible to reply to even one person. Even e-mail is easier to work with at these extents. So, if you have a few buddies that you want to keep in touch with, AIM should be fine, but if you know too many people that tend to be chatty, AIM may force you to shy away from even talking through the computer.

Download AIM here. > Source

With Yahoo Messenger’s upcoming Beta release for Vista, it is obvious that it is now headed into the free, PC-to-PC calling realm

Of course there will be paid calling options as well, but one of the most interesting part of this integration, at least visually, will likely be the WPF 3D integration, which takes full advantage of all the Vista-ness that has been made available.

Although the visual effects that will play on your computer while you talk to someone does not appear to be of any use, it maybe interesting to some people as it may be a relief for boredom .

To be Continued…

The IRC technology is older than the newer Web-based chat technology. IRC uses a text-based communication protocol on a client/server network. The server computer connected to the Internet hosts multiple IRC connections. The users connect to this server with specialized software that resides on their client computer. Because the server can host multiple simultaneous connections, users can communicate with each other by passing messages to the server which relays the messages to all users currently logged on to the IRC channel. An IRC channel is similar to a room where a group of users meet. Channels are given a name by the user who creates the channel, who is known as the channel operator. Subsequent users must JOIN the channel to participate. The channel may be restricted to only users who have been invited. > Source

Among Mac OS X users, Adium is the most popular free software messaging client. Adium has the ability to support multiply protocols through libezv and libpurple libraries. Adam Iser is the college student behind this program. Adium’s first version, “Adium 1.0″, was released in September 2001 and supported only AIM. The version numbers of Adium since then have followed the unusual pattern. There were several upgrades to Adium 1.0, ending with Adium 1.6.

Adium supports major protocols such as Jabber, GTalk, OSCAR, ICQ, Mac, YM, Skype, AIM, .NET Messenger Service, Livejournal, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise, Lotus Sametime, MyspaceIM and a lot more.