Messaging

Instant Messaging programs allow you to chat in real time with your friends and family.

ICQ

ICQ (I seek you) is the original Instant Messaging program, it has many advanced features. Using ICQ, you can only message ICQ and AIM users.

Yahoo! Messenger

Yahoo! Messenger is a popular Instant Messaging program. It has features such as graphical emotes, "Audibles", Avatars, and much more. Using Yahoo! Messenger, you can only message other Yahoo! Messenger users.

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

AIM is a very popular Instant Messaging program. It includes features such as Buddy Icons, graphical emotes, and much more. Using AIM, you can only send messages to other AIM users.

MSN Messenger

MSN Messenger is a popular Instant Messaging program. It has features such as Buddy Icons, Alerts, and much more. Using MSN Messenger, you can only send messages to other MSN Messenger users.

Trillain Basic and Trillian Pro

Trillian Basic and Pro is an Instant Messaging client that is able to connect to all the major Instant Messaging networks. You can talk to friends on the AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, MSN, and Jabber networks. It also has support for IRC, and a number of other advanced features. Trillian Basic is free, Trillian Pro is a subscription service.

GAIM

Originally written for Linux, GAIM is an Open Source, do-it-all Instant Messaging client. It can connect to the AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, and MSN networks. It can also connect to IRC servers, and has multiple plug-ins available to extend it's functionality.

Adium

Adium is an Open Source, do-it-all Instant Messaging client for Mac OS X. It has the ability to connect to the ICQ, MSN, Yahoo!, and AIM networks. It also has some innovative features that allow the user to change the appearance of the program.

Proteus

Proteus is a Shareware Instant Messaging client that can connect to all the major IM services. It has some innovative features that allow extensive customization. It is free to try for a limited time. If you wish to purchase it, Defaultware charges $15.