Community poll forum: Which instant-messaging application do you use the most?

is Gaim.

the ever popular WinAMP is too small for my taste. I'm not fond of a software representation of a Stereo Amplifier and a (microscopically sized one at that). Not to mention I like my GUI consistent across applications.

But I digress.....

That's right, Google Talk uses the Jabber protocol, and Gaim supports Jabber as well.

But I do use Yahoo and AOL for some contacts, and I have ICQ but rarely use it, same with Mirq. That's it in a nutshell, I use MSN becuase most of my IM contacts are on it.

Why? Because I have to keep up communications with clients and friends using ICQ, AIM, MSN and Yahoo.

AND I need to maintain message history for invoicing purposes. ICQ does this, but AIM did not, nor does MSN & Yahoo. With Trillian, I can keep history on all, plus the other features mentioned on other posts.

The only drawback is that occasionally, I noticed that ICQ and AIM (both AOL products) make changes which effectively prevent the use of a 3rd party client until a fix is released. This is aggravating to say the least. If they would just all get together on a common protocol, it might make things easier. But until that happens (which is probably NEVER), then a 3rd party client is the way to go.

Have not tried GAIM yet.... may have to check it out.

Since I usually don't do much other than chatting with Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger before Trillian came, I decided to use Trillian once it is finally there, starting from Trillian 2 and now Trillian 3.1. Trillian offers basic capabilities such as chatting and file transfers, but does not offer the higher native features of the full Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger.

If I need those features, then I usually switch to the full messenger (yep, I have the full Yahoo and MSN Messenger installed too, but rarely use it). Sometimes when the need arise to do a voice conversation, I closed my Trillian and switched to my Yahoo Messenger, but only sometimes I do this. For those who needs basic features of those multiple messengers in one package, then Trillian will surely fit most of their needs without too much hassle.

How do you keep a channel private in IRC?

I enjoy chatting in IRC channels, especially the technically oriented ones on the Freenode network, but I always assume that strangers are listening.

For IM - I use Jabber (Google Talk.)

Gaim.

Because my friends and family use it, and we can switch to voice if needed.

IM , Files, and Phone all in one easy place. This is the future all in one -- Mr. Lipstick

I am a Skype fan myself, and can only agree with everything nice that has been said about it. However, when it comes to computer-to-phone calls (to Marc Bennet's mom, for example), where Skype offers its ''SkypeOut'' service, there is a much cheaper alternative: Internetcalls (a variant of Voicebuster) which at present offers significantly lower rates that SkypeOut and free (yes, FREE) calls to more than 40 countries.

As an MCSE technician I find it more secure. I have tried them all and though I don't use it that much I feel safer with it. It is monitored better than any of the others. This is why most people who talk to the underage group use AOL because its not monitored nearly as much as it should be.

Yikes. I think not. First off I've been told by teachers in the tech department to remove that thing off every computer I see it on. Second it's virus prone from what I've heard. Only reason I've used it is to get the headlines. I have everything else blocked. AOL is a pain. Especially lately...when we can actually sign on into it. Yahoo is the most happy type. Love it's emoticons from beyond. Although Trillian is probably the most useful. I tried Grouper for awhile, but it's a resource hog.

If you wote for MSN, you didn't try anything else or you are a completely brainwashed M$ zombie.

Not only does it compete on stupid features for kids. It's offensively commercial. And it censors words M$ doesn't like. I repeat: MSN CENSORS WORDS!!!

The best protocol is IRC. Unrivalled. Personally I log into it using SeaMonkey / ChatZilla, not mIRC.

The best UNIFIED instant messenger is perhaps GAIM. I've stuck to it becaus then I can use it with both Linux and Windows and the interface is plain. But maybe that's just me.