Comments on: Instant message help

Question: Instant message help

mr. creosote — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:00:36 -0800

Need help finding a quick and easy instant messaging (IM) program.

Which IM program is best? I currently use Trillian but am a bit distressed over its bloat issues, which makes me concerned over security and CPU consumption issues. It also has a very confusing interface. Are there bloatless alternatives out there that are not loaded with malware? Payware is ok. I plan on using YIM and maybe AIM.

Also I want to start leaving my IM client up 24/7. Are there security issues I need to be aware of, such as payloads someone could send over IM, or a vulnerability with my IM port being open constantly and visible? I already know not to run executable programs.

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:10:15 -0800

I use Miranda at work, which is tiny and very customizable.

By: aye

aye — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:19:56 -0800

xchat and a bitlbee server (on cygwin/colinux/third-party) - no buddy icons, typing notifications, or file transfers though.

By: COD

COD — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:26:17 -0800

Pidgin - I use it for AIM and YIM on both Windows and Linux.

By: anaelith

anaelith — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:27:13 -0800

Another vote for Pidgin.

By: spartacusroosevelt

spartacusroosevelt — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:32:39 -0800

I am using the Firefox Meebo plugin, When isn't my browser up?

I'm using Y! and AIM and it supports MSN , GoogleT, ICQ, all the usual suspects.

By: Lokheed

Lokheed — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:31:19 -0800

I recently switched from Trillian to Pidgen for pretty much the same reason, and have been very happy with it.

By: Lokheed

Lokheed — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:31:34 -0800

er, make that Pidgin.

By: beerbajay

beerbajay — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:42:40 -0800

Pidgin.

By: ick

ick — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:49:25 -0800

Pidgin

By: olinerd

olinerd — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:50:22 -0800

Pidgin indeed.

By: DJWeezy

DJWeezy — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:56:03 -0800

Seconding spartacusroosevelt I have my browser open probably 23/7 and the firefox meebo plugin works great.

By: tmcw

tmcw — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:26:53 -0800

Pidgin is stable and great. I've encountered some serious (memory-management related, I think) bugs in Miranda.

By: JaredSeth

JaredSeth — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:27:58 -0800

Definitely pidgin. You can even keep any customizations across machines by copying a single folder (%appdata%\.purple since I'm guessing you're on Windows, based on your use of Trillian).

By: carfilhiot

carfilhiot — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:01:51 -0800

Messenger is the best. I recommend it.

By: sharkfu

sharkfu — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:38:06 -0800

If you're concerned about bloat you could use the web-based version of Meebo. AIM, MSN, Yahoo, & Google Talk supported. No need to install anything.

By: fishfucker

fishfucker — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:51:53 -0800

ex-Trillian to Pidgin user here. Been mostly happy with the change.

By: zengargoyle

zengargoyle — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:10 -0800

Nthing Pidgin. It's been up and running on my machine for 89 days straight.

By: sian

sian — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:19:34 -0800

Pidgin convert here, too. I used Trillian for a couple of years, but hated how buggy and complicated it was. I also have Pidgin Portable on my USB drive for when I'm at work.

By: wfrgms

wfrgms — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:22:04 -0800

Made the switch from Trillian to Pidgin as well. It's a fine program.

By: ohsoferrety

ohsoferrety — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:27:00 -0800

Another vote for Pidgin. Or, if you'd rather not download anything, use Meebo.

By: krisjohn

krisjohn — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:37:34 -0800

I have Miranda Portable on my USB stick.