Best Windows Chat Client?

Kemik · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:03

Hello all,

What would you recommend for the best Windows chat client? It must have MSN protocol.

I've used Windows Live Messenger in the past but after reformatting I've noticed how many ads and crap comes with it. I don't really want to install WLM Plus as it comes with built-in spyware.

Thanks.

.:MBK:. · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:04

GAIM is a pretty good alternative ive heard, can connect to pretty much every major type of IM address and IRC i think

t31os · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:06

Download the messpatch for Messenger and you can get rid of all those ads and rubbish you don't want.

Then Messenger will look how it should do to begin with..... clean, ad free and usuable.

Linkage:: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Chat/Other-Chat-Tools/Mess-Patch.shtml

Shane5578 · 27 Apr 2007 at 04:58

meebo runs in browse, so need to install

it aslo has a chat widgets for your website

deadite66 · 27 Apr 2007 at 05:22

.:MBK:. said:
GAIM is a pretty good alternative ive heard, can connect to pretty much every major type of IM address and IRC i think

it's called pidgin now because of threats from AOL
http://www.pidgin.im/

Nick1881 · 27 Apr 2007 at 06:53

t31os said:
Download the messpatch for Messenger and you can get rid of all those ads and rubbish you don't want.

Then Messenger will look how it should do to begin with..... clean, ad free and usuable.

Linkage:: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Chat/Other-Chat-Tools/Mess-Patch.shtml

You can also get all these patches from mess.be I always remove all the adds from my msn.

bigmouse64 · 27 Apr 2007 at 08:19

Miranda IM for me, I just switched to it, and it's great!

Freakish_05 · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:10

Trillian Astra is due to come out soon

Been trying to get on the Alpha beta to no avail

kidloco · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:25

also holding out for trillian Astra, does look fantastic, cant believe they are being so picky with there beta, you would think the more users the better to iron out the bugs. oh well.

The Mad Rapper · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:55

I've installed the latest version of GAIM/Pidgin but when I try to connect to MSN it keeps bombing out. Any ideas?

MarcLister · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:56

bigmouse64 said:
Miranda IM for me, I just switched to it, and it's great!

I've got that installed but haven't made the switchover yet. What plugins, if any, have you downloaded for it? From what I can see Miranda has most of the functionality I have with WLM so I wouldn't need to get that many plugins.

The Mad Rapper · 27 Apr 2007 at 13:34

The Mad Rapper said:
I've installed the latest version of GAIM/Pidgin but when I try to connect to MSN it keeps bombing out. Any ideas?

*Bump*

MarcLister · 27 Apr 2007 at 13:45

The Mad Rapper said:
*Bump*

Any error codes you can supply us with? Does Messenger work? Tried Miranda? If they work then its a Pidgin setting, if they don't work perhaps its your firewall or something?

The Mad Rapper · 27 Apr 2007 at 14:26

MarcLister said:
Any error codes you can supply us with? Does Messenger work? Tried Miranda? If they work then its a Pidgin setting, if they don't work perhaps its your firewall or something?

Yes, MSN works. I haven't triend Miranda, but as GAIM should use the MSN settings there ought not to be an issue.

When I try to log in, the client will load and then start the handshake process with the MSN servers. At this point it just stops running and disappears from view. It displays no error messages at all.

*Edit* Just tried miranda and that works, so it's an issue with GAIM clearly.

MarcLister · 27 Apr 2007 at 14:27

The Mad Rapper said:
Yes, MSN works. I haven't triend Miranda, but as GAIM should use the MSN settings there ought not to be an issue.

When I try to log in, the client will load and then start the handshake process with the MSN servers. At this point it just stops running and disappears from view. It displays no error messages at all.

So you've entered your MSN details into Gaim/Pidgin then?

Have you cleared Pidgin to run through your firewall?

The Mad Rapper · 27 Apr 2007 at 14:33

MarcLister said:
So you've entered your MSN details into Gaim/Pidgin then?

Have you cleared Pidgin to run through your firewall?

Yes.

MarcLister · 27 Apr 2007 at 15:58

And it still doesn't work? I presume the latest Gaim/Pidgin is what you've got? Latest GTK pack thing? Try uninstalling and installing it again just to see if some setting is screwed. Other than that check out http://www.pidgin.im/faq.php#q11 and http://www.pidgin.im/win32/ are all I can think off.

Meatball · 27 Apr 2007 at 18:31

t31os said:
Download the messpatch for Messenger and you can get rid of all those ads and rubbish you don't want.

Then Messenger will look how it should do to begin with..... clean, ad free and usuable.

Linkage:: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Chat/Other-Chat-Tools/Mess-Patch.shtml