Communication And Messaging/Im Clients
freeware
Skype
Skype is the next phenomenon from the people who brought you KaZaA. Just like KaZaA, this uses P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you to other users – not to share files this time, but to talk for free with your friends. The technology is extremely advanced - but super simple to use. You’ll be making perfect quality free phone calls to your friends in no time.
open source
Pidgin
Pidgin (formerly Gaim) is an all-in-one IM client that resembles AIM. Gaim lets you use AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, IRC, Jabber, Zephyr, and Gadu-Gadu all at once. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with AOL, Yahoo, or MSN.
freeware
Trillian
Trillian is a multi-network chat client that currently supports IRC, AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo! Messenger. It supports all of the features you've come to expect from a good IM client, including but not limited to docking, multi-line edit boxes, buddy alerts, multiple connections to the same medium, a powerful skinning language, easy importing of your existing contacts, skinnable emoticons, logging, "global" away/invisible features, and a unified contact list. It is completely free with no nag screens or...
open source
Miranda IM
Miranda IM is a multi protocol instant messenger client for Windows. It is designed to be resource efficient and easy to use. It uses very little memory, requires no installation and can easily be carried around on a single floppy disc. The goal of this project is not to duplicate the functionality of AOL's ICQ Client, but to design a client that has the basic features that is designed for mouse-less operation with a small memory requirement.
shareware ($20}
mIRC
mIRC is a full featured Internet Relay Chat client for Windows that can be used to communicate, share, play or work with others on IRC networks around the world, either in multi-user group conferences or in one-to-one private discussions. It has a clean, practical interface that is highly configurable and supports features such as buddy lists, file transfers, multi-server connections, SSL encryption, proxy support, UTF-8 display, customizable sounds, spoken messages, tray notifications, message logging,...
adware
Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger allows you to quickly exchange messages with your online friends. Unlike e-mail, instant messages appear as soon they're sent. By downloading the application to your computer, you can send instant messages. Other features include voice chat, file transfer, mail and stock quote alerts, sports scores, news, and much more.
freeware
Xfire
Xfire is the instant messenger for gamers. See when your friends are playing online games; See what game they are playing; See where they are playing; and join their game with just one click. Plus, unlike existing Instant Messengers, this one lets you receive IM's without disrupting your game.
adware
Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger lets you chat online via text, voice or even video conversation - in real time - with your friends, family or colleagues. It's faster than e-mail and is a great choice for conversations and the perfect alternative when you can't be there in person.
adware
AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) should be used because e-mail just isn't fast enough sometimes. This convenient, add-on to your system lets you communicate one-on-one or in a group with family, friends, and business associates who also use it. Finding people online can be easy too. Use the Member Directory to locate friends by name or by e-mail address.
open source
aMSN
aMSN (Alvaro's Messenger) is a MSN messenger clone. It features multilanguage support, file transfers, new graphical interface, emoticons, multiple profiles support, dock icon, sound events, email notification, and URL processing.
freeware
HydraIRC
HydraIRC is an IRC Client written in C++ using such modern tools as Visual Studio 7 and WTL/ATL for a super fast, streamlined and efficient program. It features a nice looking, intuitive and though highly customizable GUI, dockable windows, MDI client area, event based core (with user definable events), DLL plugin SDK, multi-server support, and more.
freeware
QIP
QIP is a unique closed source computer program for immediate cross-internet communication. The basic functionality of QIP enables its users to see who else is online and available, and then easily contact them with text messages in real time sent through a public server.
freeware
PaltalkScene
PaltalkScene lets you enjoy thousands of live video chat rooms and dozens of regularly scheduled video chat shows. Get up close and (practically) in person with celebrities like Maxim model Diana Falzone plus many industry experts. Bring the movie theater into a video chat room with virtual Screening Rooms (popcorn not included). Join millions of other members and watch comedy shorts from Heavy.com, wrestling from WWE and hundreds of other video clips.
freeware
THRILLER
THRILLER isan all around mIRC script having all channel and personal protections, channel scanners, detailed help system, services support for Chanserv, Nickserv, Memoserv, X, K9, Q & L, advanced away system , ircop menu, fkeys support, eggdrop menu, multi server support and other useful features.
open source
RetroShare
RetroShare lets you communicate and share files securely. It is a cross-platform private p2p sharing program. It lets you share securely your friends, using a web-of-trust to authenticate peers and OpenSSL to encrypt all communication. It provides filesharing, chat, messages and channels.
open source
Instantbird
Instantbird is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client. Using it, you can connect to all your different IM accounts. It uses the Mozilla rendering engine to display IMs, and the Pidgin libpurple to connect to the different networks. Instantbird is a free and open source software.