Skype vs. ICQ vs. MSN vs. other vs. nothing

[Morne]

Hi all

I've been thinking of starting to use an instant messaging program that maybe has built in video conferencing etc. Another user recently approached me and uses MSN. I would like your thoughts on whichever program you use and how it makes your life easier. Also how are the security on these things and what do you use it for besides talking to your buddies?

Best Regards,
Morne

[vlado]

We use skype mostly over here, everything else seemed to be either awfully buggy, or awfully annoying, or both (although skype can be that sometimes too )

Best regards,
Vlado

[pixelplume]

skype! worst thing about it is slow file transfers....you are better off using ftp for big stuff, but otherwise works great

[Morbid Angel]

yeah icq has become filled with advertisement and other garbage its very annoying and distracting to use. I prefer pidgin. Its a linux adopted multi-messenger like trillian, except it gets all the accounts automatically. Its very simple and straight forward and it can connect to any number of networks (not skype though).

[joconnell]

Using digsby the same way as morbid - they're working skype support at the minute. Liking it so far.

[Jens_3deutig]

we are all working with skype...really a good one i think. and the calling feature is important too. sending files is really fast and depends on your setting of your router and firewalls.

for me it is very important to communicate in such a way through skype so i could have many freelancers all over the world..and makes work much easier...thanks inet thanks!

c u,
Jens

NEW WEBPAGE ONLINE!! ..:: www.3deutig.com ::..

[rmejia]

Haven't used ICQ in ages, I remember getting an account around 1997 I think, #327271, sucks that one is a number and not a name. I use to use msn, but think it's too bloated, I use gtalk now for simple chat with friends, since I also use gmail for everything and other google services. Although I have Digsby around in case I want to connect to msn too.

[Bathyscaph]

The msn tool works fine for most things. Trillian interfered with my max hot keys so I ditched that otherwise handy tool.

Skype has an important advantage in that you can be logged in simultaneously on many machines. I work on more than one machine at once so this is a big plus. The new MSN Live is supposed to have this feature but the old one would log you off one machine every time a new machine started up.

Every once in awhile though, I get spammed on Skype so I can't say it is perfect.

[Morne]

So far I'm thinking Skype is the way to go. Never heard of Digsby till today, will maybe look into it to see what its all about.

[tricky]

Used to use Skype but found the video conferencing a bit naff, so for the last 2 years I've been using MSN exclusively. Generally, I am happy with it.

[Morne]

Used to use Skype but found the video conferencing a bit naff

Apparently with newer versions they have "High Quality" video conferencing which you can use fullscreen. (depending on your pc and broadband specs)

[xenry]

don't you know that skype is evil
http://ultraparanoid.wordpress.com/2...skype-is-evil/

[Morne]

don't you know that skype is evil
http://ultraparanoid.wordpress.com/2...skype-is-evil/

If you read that, you can apply it to any analog and digital communication.
"They" have total control just about. What can we do but just carry on as usual. The alternative is no communication at all.

[sv]

My vote is for skype, but I hear that in msn you can 'print-screen' and just ctrl-v into the msn listener to send a screengrab direct- now that's cool!

[Donald2B]

I have been using meebo and have been extremely happy...I don't know about skype support yet, but there is pretty much everything else.