what's the best INSTANT MESSAGING system?

[TravisBickle]

the big three right now seem to be:
ICQ
AOL
MSN

I won't add a poll because it would only reflect what people have used so far. comments from people who have used more than one would be most informative.
what are your thoughts on netmeeting also, and webcams over modem connections?

 

[Wizkid]

ICQ - Popular but bloated and complicated (also quite buggy depending on version)
MSN - Simple, but I find it clumsy
AOL - Simple, less buggy that ICQ

If all you want to do is chat then I think AOL Instant Messanger is the best, it's a small download and it works well. But if you want to send a lot of files or manage a huge contact list, then ICQ may be right for you...

 

[Noriaki]

I saw one one time that was sweet...dont' remember what it's called but it started with an O..Omega or something like that..I lost it though It let me use ICQ and AIM at the same time....

I use ICQ becuase all my friends are on it...but ICQ's client is pretty bad...a free ICQ client might be better...

 

[Budman]

ICQ rules.

When you tried the best,Fusk the rest.

But when will it EVER be out of BETA testing?

We see Alpha,beta,but there's never been a final version.

 

[BoberFett]

AIM

I liked it better before when it was simple and sweet. They've bulked it up with direct file transfers, mail checkers, news and stock tickers, etc. But it's easy to ignore those things.

 

[Ausm]

I like ICQ...

Ausm

 

[Jonny]

I use AIM and ICQ.


Personally, I like AIM better, I just prefer its design and simplicity, but, ICQ is definalty good also, but it has way too much BS that I don't need.

 

[SuperFreaky]

odigo is the one that uses AIM and ICQ at the same time.... unfortunately thats about the only plus for it I would use, and file transfers don't work

 

[Noriaki]

Yeah Odigo! That's the one! I don't care about file transfers...never use it anyways I don't know anybody an AIM though so I don't really care, I just stick to ICQ cuz that's where all my friends are. Don't really like it though...

 

[Conroy9]

yahoo IM is the best because it has a java version so you can use it anywhere

 

[jmcoreymv]

Well if AIM and ICQ would ever open up their network, id say MSN is the best, I just like their messenger much better.

 

[Macaw]

As part of the Time-Warner AOL merger, AOL agreed to open up its Instant Messaging servers and standards to interoperate with other IM software. Look for an update soon for MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Pager so that they talk nicely with ICQ/AOL IM.

Technical features of these programs seem to matter less than connectivity. It's just like someone creating a new e-mail or, heaven forbid, a new Internet standard. Lot of good it does if nobody can interoperate with it!

But, if you really want to look at the features themselves, I have some bias. ICQ, like Real Networks media player, installs piles of features and crap that you have to figure out how to turn off. MSN Messenger (latest versions, not the old stuff) is simple and sweet but doesn't have a couple features I would like. For example: being able to group your contacts in subfolders like friends, family, work.

Interoperability will be a moot point with the next release of everything so go for what you like.

(two more added points)

1. Yahoo pager is awefully nice because it can be rendered as java/dhtml or win-32.
2. MSN Messenger, unlike ICQ, works mainly off of e-mail addresses not some obscure ICQ ID number.

 

[BoberFett]

There's a java AIM also.

 

[Yoshi]

I also use Yahoo, the full version is simple and reliable and the use anywhere java version is a nice added touch.

 

[Pakman]

ICQ was my first... I never liked AIM... MSN is pretty good though. I usually have ICQ and MSN on at he same time.

 

[dalfollo]

tribal voice used to make PowWow that worked with
all of the others, ms, aol etc....lots of great
features including voice...then they where bought
out by CMGI then CMGIon...then they FIRED everyone
and shut it DOWN!!!

DIE CMGI/CMGIon DIE!!! DIE DIE DIE!!!

i feel better now...

 

[cmaMath13]

I personally like AIM, because it is easy to use and most of my family uses it. It obiviously does you no good to use an IM of none of your family and friends use it!

 

[abaez]

Icq 98a is probably the best one if your using icq. No bloated crap, just plain and simple file transfers and messages. And it takes very very little mem compared to the newer icq versions. Its very old, almost 2 years, but it still works great. I like it very simple.

 

[Rent]

Odigo... it can talk with the other IMs, just not always friendly

I use AIM at home... simply more people I know use it than ICQ which is too complicated for the average user. I like ICQ much more than anything available, but oh well...

 

[TravisBickle]

Macaw, originally Microsoft programmers cracked interoperability of messenger to AIM real quickly, but AOL didn't like it and kept changing their system so microsoft had to keep cracking it until they gave up.

(I mean Microsoft gave up)

 

[Alfred]

icq99b rules, works well without the crap in icq2000.

 

[Deeko]

AIM all the way.

 

[barlav]

I prefer ICQ.

 

[CHiMPBizKiT]

AIM is definitely the winner - it looks good, a pleasure to use. I wish though, that its appearance and interface were a little more customizable.

 

[IamDavid]

MS Messenger would be the best if everyone would use it..