Open ONE window, access lots of different accounts
01:51, 23 March 2009
.. Posted in techculture and tech to help.. Link
Yes, it's still true: I'm not a techie. I am frequently confused by technology.
I am not, however, afraid to try out new software.
It takes a long while for me to be convinced to try something new --there's just too much out there to think about, let alone choose from, and too often, the description of the software is so riddled with jargon that I have no idea what the value of the tool really is, in human terms. When I decide to download and try something, it's usually because I've recently thought, "I really wish I had a tool that did such-and-such", or because I've found a recommendation for such-and-such in a blog or on an online group I'm a part of or in a magazine.
Just know that, when I recommend something, it's easy-to-use. Promise.
I heard about a free, open source tool for the Mac that would allow me to see all my various instant messaging/chat accounts in ONE window. That means no need to log in to Yahoo AND Windows Live AND MySpace AND Facebook AND Skype AND... well, you get the idea. No need to log into each of those platforms -- I login just once, and anyone of my friends or connections can see me online and chat with me as they like, via whatever platform they happen to be using.
This is especially helpful as I work with colleagues all over the world, and they aren't always sure what time it is wherever I am; by seeing me online, they know that I'm awake and can be contacted for at least a quick chat.
The platform I'm using is called Adium. It supports:
- AOL Instant Messenger, including ICQ and MobileMe (formerly known as .Mac)
- MSN Messenger
- Jabber, including Google Talk and LiveJournal
- Yahoo! Messenger, including Yahoo! Japan
- Bonjour, compatible with iChat
- MySpace IM
- Facebook Chat
- Lotus Sametime
- Novell Groupwise
- Gadu-Gadu
You non-Mac users -- what are your options for a similar tool? I think your options are:
- Kopete
- Pidgin (also works on Mac)
- Miranda IM
