AIM & MSN Messenger

[MasterHoss]

I was just sitting here reading stuff about SP2 for WinXP and coming up with a game plan for a clean install. In any case, I'm thinking of using M$'s Messenger program. You know. The same program that haunts and annoys XP users until you kill the app using gpedit.msc (XP Pro).

The thing is, I don't have any sort of MSN Messenger account but do have an AIM account. Have they finally opened up the IM programs so that you can access 1 or the other?

Basically, I want to use MSN Messenger and have only that IM app open. Is there a way to communicate with AOL IM people using MSN Messenger?

I found a 3rd party program that claims that they can do the trick, but my goal is to install as few "extra" apps as possible when I do my clean install.

Also, anyone use MSN Messenger? Does it suck?

Thanks for the help.

 

[DGath]

- I prefer MSN over AIM.
- If you want integration of programs, use Trillian (www.trillian.cc)
- No, not yet.

 

[Schadenfroh]

here is a great bloat free, open source, application that is compatable with all the popular IM standards.

 

[DannyLove]

Its called Trillian.

danny~!

 

[MasterHoss]

Great. Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

 

[Slugbait]

You know. The same program that haunts and annoys XP users until you kill the app using gpedit.msc (XP Pro).

No, that's not MSN Messenger, it's Windows Messenger. And it was killed long ago in SP1 due to an agreement with the DOJ or somebody...

But I digress, MSN Messenger is pretty cool, much more customizable and user-centric than Windows Messenger. But communicating with AIM users is only provided with a pay-fer service at this time.

 

[McFly]

Originally posted by: DGath
- I prefer MSN over AIM.
- If you want integration of programs, use Trillian (www.trillian.cc)
- No, not yet.

Ditto.. MSN is much better then AIM.

 

[clarkey01]

MSN FOR LIFE IM ON IT 24/7 !

 

[duragezic]

Miranda owns all. Integrates all the IM programs very well, even though I don't use anything besides ICQ, which the real playas use.

 

[Diz2K2]

I like gaim also.

 

[magomago]

trillian should work. I use msn and aim, though i use msn with friends that don't speak english because it supports it~ aim won't let me type in arabic or chinese unless i change my local settings but that fs up my fonts like crazy

 

[Allio]

Gaim is great for this feature.

 

[Slugbait]

'k, this thread was bumped up because.... ?

 

[konakona]

i really liked miranda, lowest memory/cpu utilization that MSN or AIM (MSN is about double, AIM takes up like 5x, what a POS) but wanna try out gaim cuz the interface looks quite nice
trillian kinda sucked for me, messy interface, no 2byte language support