How do you use instant messaging?
First we had a look at how you all use your browser, then how you listen to music and watch videos; now it's time to find out about instant messaging! With all the IM apps out there you could be using none, any one, or any combination, from web based, to desktop based, from one service, to multiple services, so how do you keep in touch?
I used to use MSN exclusively in the good old days, but now I mainly use a combination of Skype and Meebo and in some cases,Digsby. I am not permanently signed on to any network, I do not like distractions, and I either see most of my friends every week, or email them or call them. For clients and friends abroad we also usually use email, or Skype, if any other networks come up, I use Meebo.
However, I like Digsby a lot, since it supports a lot of networks, has email and twitter built in and some nifty added extras which make it the best all round IM client out there in my opinion. Overall though I am a solitary kind of guy, especially when I'm working, so I don't really need it a lot. Which is your favorite client, how do you use IM networks? Let us know in the comments!
Update: Digsby is still begin updated regularly, and the developers have added lots of features into the program over the years. The application supports email now for instance, ties in easily with popular email solutions like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and other IMAP or POP accounts.
It also ties in with social networking accounts to keep you up to date with status updates and everything that is going on there. The client supports Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn.
all wrong
I don’t and haven’t since about 3 months after ICQ started up. I won’t either.
I used to be on ICQ a long time ago (from about 1998 to around 2000), but for some reason all of my friends started using MSN, so I did the switch. At home I’ve been using the default client for about 9 years, trying out Trillian a few years ago, but being unsatisfied with it I remained with the original client. I also installed Messenger Plus as soon as I discovered it. I was also using Miranda IM for a couple of months but despite I spent a significant amounts of time configuring it to fit my needs, somehow I couldn’t familiarize myself with it. So a few days ago I went back to Windows Live Messenger. I was surpirsed how it got “improved”, or should I say, over-decorated, during the time I was not using it.
I was employed at a bank from the end of 2005 til’ the end of last year and due to the strict network security restrictions I couldn’t use any IM client, not even web-based ones.
Since I moved to another company which is less restrictive regarding security policies, I can now use Meebo to connect to MSN. They just released the Meebo Notifier, which I, of course, installed.
Miranda IM got my vote for its minimalism. Tried Pidgin, but it is just too ugly T_T”
digsby hands down. i can install it on any pc and all my settings are right there. im very particular about my settings and dont feel like setting it up every time. yahoo, msn, aim, google talk, myspace, gmail…all of it right there. before digsby i used pidgin, and still do if im on a pc thats low on memory.
Miranda IM for 8 years. From the only one ICQ in 2001 to 3 IM networks at home (ICQ & 2 Jabbers – Livejournal and Gmail), four in office (+ MSN) in 2008.
ICQ – for friends and colleagues who remember me from the good old days.
Jabber – back-up channel (after all those changes in ICQ protocol back-up channel now is a must-have).
MSN came on request from abroad customers.
Skype is corporate IM channel now.
I prefer standalone software, not the web services.
I guess i’m old school… I use WLM, AIM (via aimadhack), and skype only for VOIP…
sigh… less and less of my friends are using Instant Messaging all together…
p.s. I hate browser based messaging like FaceBook
If this question was asked years ago, I would have answered long hours on MSN (Messenger itself). These days not much of any IM.
And I Share the disappointment in AJAX, speedwise.
Pidgin, always logged in to Yahoo, Google Chat, MySpaceIM, and ICQ. Most of the time I’m on away status, only changing to available when I’m bored and in the mood to do some unproductive bullshitting.
IM services are handy for when it’s quicker to type what you have to say than to load gmail. Stupid slow web 2.0, stupid slow AJAX, scuse me while I go tell some kids to get off my lawn.
i use http://www.meebo.com connecting me to up to 15 different im accounts.
i´m only missing skype in the list…
Digsby, I’ve tried, but it’s just too much and uses too much memory. I’m pretty faithful to Pidgin (formerly GAIM) and I use it for AIM, facebook chat, google talk, and jabber. It requires a 3rd party plugin for facebook chat, but it works like a charm.
Digsby gets my vote as I don’t have to be in facebook to chat with others on there.
I use Pidgin with AIM, Yahoo, and whatever Google calls their IM service that uses your gmail address. I usually only have it on at work, but I’m not sure why.