posted
The search for an alternative IM client has been driving me crazy these last few days.
I'm looking for a client that will let me connect to (at least) MSN and ICQ. Sure, there are enough of those around, but only Trillian seems to support MSN conferences (chatting with multiple people in 1 box).
I've tried Miranda IM, but it was a) too unstable and b) did not support MSN conferences. And I couldn't add new contacts. It did look neat and compact though.
Next, I tried Psi, a Jabber client. Works very nicely, except for the MSN conference thing. This problem seems to be inherent in the way the MSN transports work on Jabber servers. So basically, all Jabber-clients seem to be out.
I've also tried GAIM. Same thing. No MSN conferences.
I currently have Trillian. It looks good *and* supports MSN conferences. Except... it makes my Dscaler crash. It seems to have something to do with DirectShow.
So.. am I doomed to use MSN Messenger and ignore my ICQ contacts? Is there *any* obscure third party IM client that is stable and supports MSN conference chats?
posted
I don't know of any clients you didn't mention, but there is an "Invite to chat" option in the MSN plugin I'm using with Miranda--I assume that's the conference feature you want. I'd try initiating that, but since there's only one person online to chat with on MSN right now, I wouldn't know if it supports multiple users.
-------------------- Picard: Mr. Crusher, what's our maximum speed this week? Wesley: [checking manual] Uh, 9.4, sir. Picard: Very good. Take us to Warp 9.8 then. Wesley: Aye, sir. Warp 9.2 it is.
Registered: Mar 1999
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quote:Q. Is there a way to invite more than one person to an MSN chat? A. Not at this time. When the conversation framework gets another rewrite, it is possible that it will be worked on. Until that time, sorry.
Plus: - Support for ICQ, AIM, Y!, MSN, as well as an IRC client. - Simple to use, as far as I can tell. - It seems to do a better job of blocking auth requests and messages from porn spammers then ICQ itself does (no pesky auth requests since I installed it).
Minus: - If you use ICQ, you'd better save a copy of your contact list. It would appear that Trillian does not tap directly into ICQ's server to grab it for you. - Cannot use buddy icons or see other buddy icons on MSN. - Option to notify you of who is online via a small pop up window is not there (ala MSN). - No way to set interval for automatic away.
Personally, I have not made up my mind on using this program from now on. I am however considering just using MSN from now on and not use ICQ. I simply haven't used it that often for quite a while now.
-------------------- "And slowly, you come to realize, it's all as it should be, you can only do so much. If you're game enough, you could place your trust in me. For the love of life, there's a tradeoff, we could lose it all but we'll go down fighting...." - David Sylvian FreeSpace 2, the greatest space sim of all time, now remastered!
Registered: Mar 1999
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What, did they remove it? I mean, I'm running the free version with patch "D" (they're up to "I" now), and I have that option.
Registered: Mar 1999
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Cartman
just made by the Presbyterian Church
Member # 256
posted
"Cannot use buddy icons or see other buddy icons on MSN."
Buddy icons are only one step below animated smilies on the "useless IM fluff for 13-year old degenerates" list.
Registered: Nov 1999
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Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
It's not that, Cartman. People use their own pics for buddy icons in MSN. So it is looking at those icons that interest me. Sort of like an everyday glimpse of what is going on.
-------------------- "And slowly, you come to realize, it's all as it should be, you can only do so much. If you're game enough, you could place your trust in me. For the love of life, there's a tradeoff, we could lose it all but we'll go down fighting...." - David Sylvian FreeSpace 2, the greatest space sim of all time, now remastered!
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Trillian's always grabbed my AIM and ICQ contacts from the server for me. I also have windows popup in the systray that tell me when someone has signed on and when someone has signed off (something Messenger doesn't do). Not sure about the buddy icons for Messenger though as I use Messenger itself (my friends and I play the games through it and what not).
-------------------- I haul cardboard and cardboard accessories
Registered: Mar 1999
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Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
Well, I just uninstalled Trillian from my PC. The last straw was when I found out that all conversation windows were always "on top" and I had to minimize them just so I can go about my business. I've decided to forgo ICQ for good as when I reinstalled ICQ, I then proceeded to get more porn spam from whoever is harrassing me (don't these guys ever give up?).
-------------------- "And slowly, you come to realize, it's all as it should be, you can only do so much. If you're game enough, you could place your trust in me. For the love of life, there's a tradeoff, we could lose it all but we'll go down fighting...." - David Sylvian FreeSpace 2, the greatest space sim of all time, now remastered!
Registered: Mar 1999
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