ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, QQ, GoogleTalk.
If you, like me, have an account in each of these instant messaging (IM) services then you probably have all these client programs installed.
These client not only take up valuable space in the notification area (especially on a notebook), they are also notorious memory hog. Each comes with heaps of “features” that I never use and are piling on more with each new version. Worst, some like QQ forcefully install programs you don’t need and changes your system settings.
Wouldn’t it be great if a single program can replace all of them?
Enter Gaim.
My Gaim screenshot showing multiple IM (ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, QQ, GoogleTalk), multi-accounts and multi-language (Simplified Chinese) supported.
I use it for work and for personal contacts.
Gaim is a multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) client .
This mambo-jumbo jargon simply means that it can support multiple instant messaging services like ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, GoogleTalk, all in a single program.
In fact it supports more – AIM, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu (never heard or use it before).
With plugin it can also support other IM protocol, for example QQ, a very popular IM service in China. (Currently my QQ support is broken but I’m waiting for the official support .)
Gaim was not my first integrated IM. Like many open source applications it takes time to mature. When I first discovered Gaim, it was not very usable.
For a long time I use Trillian, a commercial integrated IM that started as a free download. However as it grew successful commercially, the free version was neglected to the extend that connection to services like yahoo and ICQ are frequently down. (Note: This is based on past experience, I do not know about now since I had switched to Gaim)
Before that I also exprimented with Jabber during its infancy. At that time, Jabber was pretty promising. GoogleTalk is based on Jabber .
I cannot recall why it was dropped in favour of Trillian. Most likely that Yahoo support which was necessary for work.
Instant messaging is becoming an important channel for business contact. The ability to handle multi-protocols and accounts allows small business to stay in touch with customers easily.
What I like about Gaim?
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Supports all my IM account in one program
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Multiple account from the same service
This is especially cool, perfect when you want to separate work from personal contacts. I can have 2 Yahoo accounts running at the same time, one personal, one for work. -
Chinese support
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Able to group together same user from different IM service
Room for improvement
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Better file transfer
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Better interface
To be fair, the GTK interface had improved tremendously but still rear its ugly head here and there. Especially bad when selecting file and folders -
Smaller icons
I can’t stand large icons. Most likely can be solvewith themes.
Chinese support
Excellent support for Chinese in both IM list and in chat. Language for user interface and menu can be selected during installation.
Where to get it?
- Gaim is at http://gaim.sourceforge.net/
Windows version at http://gaim.sourceforge.net/win32/ - Current version: 1.5.0
- Function: multi-protocol Instant Messaging client
I’ve been a long time user of Gaim. Of course, for linux, it’s THE leading IM client anyway.
Using Linux on the desktop is my next target.
Can I recommend Kubuntu?
I lost touch with Linux for many years now. Last time I used to prefer GNOME over KDE.
I also like Debian and FreeBSD, so I think that Gentoo might be a good fit. Heard quite a bit of good things about it.
There are alot of good review on Ubuntu too, but again I have not try it.
So what makes you recommend Kubuntu?