Instant Messaging

Oct 10 2006

rev. 18 January 2008

Pidgin (formerly Gaim): License: Open Source; Description: Pidgin is an open-source instant messaging clients that supports even more protocols than Trillian (see below), but has very little in the way of customizability. “Pidgin is a multi-protocol instant messaging client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. It is compatible with AIM (Oscar and TOC protocols), ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, and Zephyr networks.” Note: Gaim was recently rebranded as Pidgin IM

Miranda IM: License: Open Source; Description: Miranda IM is another multi-protocol Instant Messaging application. It’s a little rough around the edges, I think, but some people swear by it. The program as it’s known now is being completely rewritten for a 1.0 release.

Trillian: License: Freeware (paid version optional); Description: Trillian is an ad-free instant messaging client that supports 5 simultaneous protocols: AIM, ICQ, IRQ, MSN, and Yahoo. It’s skinnable, with downloads available at their site. The Pro version is a bit more robust than the regular version, with plugins and more options.

aMSN: License: Open Source; Description: aMSN is an entirely open-source implementation of the MSN Messenger protocol. It also has many features that the official client does not, as well as compatibility for plugins and skins. Available for a variety of platforms, including Windows.

Mercury Messenger: License: Freeware; Description: Mercury Messenger is a Java client for accessing MSN (now Windows Live Messaging). It stays up to date, has a number of extra features, including Port Forwarding, and is cross-platform due to it being written in Java.

Psi: License: Open Source; Description: Psi is an open-source, cross-platform Jabber client written with Trolltech’s Qt toolkit, and integrates into the look of the host operating system—it doesn’t support skins. Psi has a policy of not implementing a feature until there is an accepted standard for it within Jabber/XMPP, so new features might be slow in coming, but the client itself is a workhorse.

Gajim: License: Open Source; Description: Gajim is a GTK+ client for the Jabber/XMPP protocol. It has an interface much like Gaim, but doesn’t support multiple protocols and doesn’t (to the best of my knowledge) share any code. It comes with plenty of bells and whistles, including TLS/SSL support, spellchecker, and Wikipedia lookup.

Google Talk: License: Freeware; Description: Google Talk is program which provides instant messaging using the XMPP protocol, as well as VoIP. Any Jabber-capable IM client is capable of talking to the Google Talk client; however, VoIP features require Google Talk proper. Let’s face it: it’s Google, so you know it’s fabulous.

XChat: License: Open Source; Description: XChat is perhaps the IRC client for Linux (and now ported to other platforms as well). Based on Gtk+, it has a lot in common with programs like Gaim or MSN, but this one is for IRC only. It’s got a long and stable history, so if you’re looking for a free (in every sense) IRC client, this is for you.

Bersirc: License: Open Source; Description: Originally a closed-source freeware program, Bersirc was opened up in 2004. There hasn’t been a release in over a year, but development is apparently still in progress, including compatibility with mIRC, the gold standard for Windows IRC clients. It seems to have a very simple interface and few options.