Questions about IM

[Sam]

I'm probably going a little off the subject here and it's
really nothing to do with MSN/Windows Messenger, but
since this place is talking about Windows Messenger, I
thought I would just go here.

I'm thinking about downloading ICQ Instant
Messanger.http://web.icq.com/

Anybody has any experience on this program? Is this
something to have over MSN or Windows Messenger? I just
don't want to download this program and then start having
problems with it.

 

[Mike Hall]

If you like simple, easy to use messengers, do NOT download ICQ..

 

[Andrej]

Hi

My opinion is that ICQ is okay but it's interface is really ugly... Its
pretty full of options but since I like nice GUIs I like Messenger a bit
better... Maybe you shuld try Trillian (www.trillian.cc (ver 2.0)) - it
supports all major IM protocols and it can be fully skinned...

-Andrej

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Sam,

My first "real" IM client was ICQ, and although I do have it installed, I rarely have it
running. After AOL bought Mirabilis (the company that made ICQ), advertisements were put it
just about every window (including the conversations!), and most people I knew that used it
have switched to Messenger and/or just use Trillian to access the ICQ network itself. No
real harm in trying it out however.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Sam]

Thanks for all the responses.

I did download ICQ but really didn't like and went ahead
and tried Trillian. I do have that running and like it
quite a bit. I have downloaded some skins to make it look
like Windows/MSN Messenger. After looking at Trillian, I
wish Windows or MSN Messenger would add a few items to
help improve the program.

-----Original Message-----
Greetings Sam,

My first "real" IM client was ICQ, and although I do

have it installed, I rarely have it

running. After AOL bought Mirabilis (the company that

made ICQ), advertisements were put it

just about every window (including the conversations!),

and most people I knew that used it

have switched to Messenger and/or just use Trillian to

access the ICQ network itself. No

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Sam,

Which items in particular? =)
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Sam]

In Trillian, in the conversation window has a 'Send a
Link' option which is pretty nice. If you are at a
particular site, you can simply tell it to use current so
that you don't have to cut and paste it into your message.

It's also nice that it can connect to other servers like
AOL, Yahoo and ICQ. This is the best feature that I do
like about it. I wouldn't use Trillian otherwise, because
I like MSN/Windows Messenger.

I don't see this happening and I think if I'm not
mistaken that Microsoft is tring to stop this from
happening so programs like Trillian doesn't connect to
their server.

Everytime you download a skin, it changes the interface
after you apply it. MSN Messenger 6 doesn't do this yet.
It does however offer backgrounds. It also has a "View
History" option within the program unlike MSN/Windows
Messenger, you have to find where it is stored and open
it manually.

 

[Joshua Sparks]

I've used ICQ Lite on occasion. It is supposed to be "ad-aware" free
but I'm not too sure about that. Trillium is good as it allows you to
use all of the popular messenging programs in one GUI.'

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the feedback. No, I doubt you'll be seeing "complete skins" or connection to
multiple servers any time soon.

However, in MSN Messenger 6.x, there is an option to do exactly what you indicated. Simply
click the File menu in a conversation window, then choose Open Message History or open up the
main contact list, right-click the contact you want to see the history of and click 'Open
Message History'.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Sam]

Well, you are right. I guess I was thinking of Windows
Messenger. I have used them both and I had gotten
confused. I do wish this would be a part in the near
future for Windows Messenger to store/view the chat
History as well as the Link Option.

-----Original Message-----
Hi Sam,

Thanks for the feedback. No, I doubt you'll be

seeing "complete skins" or connection to

multiple servers any time soon.

However, in MSN Messenger 6.x, there is an option to do

exactly what you indicated. Simply

click the File menu in a conversation window, then

choose Open Message History or open up the

main contact list, right-click the contact you want to

see the history of and click 'Open

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Sam,

You *may* see logging in the next version of Windows Messenger (all depends when the next
version will be).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com