Some instant messaging questions

[johnnyjibbs]

Hi there,

I've just signed up for the 60 day .Mac trial. With Panther just installed I have been intrigued to investigate iChat AV but everyone I know uses PCs and MSN Messenger.

I use MSN here on my mac but any word on a better version than 3.5 coming out? It keeps cutting out every 10-15 mins on my network which is really annoying as well.

iChat AV is compatible with AOL. However, before I try to persuade everyone to sign up for AOL Messenger as well as MSN, does the audio chatting (I have no camera) work with AOL members? Also, what are the chances of iChat AV coming to Windows? MacWorld SF in Jan?

Man, I've got to work on my parents getting a Mac at home...

 

[aldo]

Well, I don't think you can audio chat with AIM users...

I don't use iChat becasue it doesn't support MSN. I hate the MSN protocol full stop but most of my friends use it so i have no choice .

 

[howard]

there are a bunch of IM clients out there that will support mulitiple protocols, you should check some of them out.

my personal favorite is adium 2. but it is only an alpha right now and doesn't fully support any protocals but aim. It will eventually have them all.

also there is fire, proteus, and gaim. which i know some people like.

 

[aldo]

Eh? I said I don't use iChat... implying that I use an alternative client. I use Fire but it's very crappy in my opinion... very unstable and development work moves very very slowly.

It is missing some basic things (A simple way to see MSN users email as well as their screen name).

I've used proteus but it has problems even connecting to MSN ... ho hum.

 

[howard]

sorry aldo,

i was directing my response to the thread starter. though if your having a lot of trouble with those other clients you might try adium 2...maybe when its a little more complete.