Maximum PC IM RSS Feed

Trillian Now Available for iPhone, iPod Touch

Paul Lilly — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:40:01 -0600

Better late than never, and while it took a long time, iPhone and iPod touch users can now download Trillian, the multiprotocol IM client, through Apple's App Store.

The $4.99 app comes with many of the same features as its desktop counterpart, including grouped and sorted contacts. Tabbed chat windows also find their way onto the iPhone and iPod touch version, and so does the ability to copy and paste, which is more a credit to Apple than Cerulean Studios, the company responsible for Trillian.

Users can also synchronize content across multiple IM clients, so that changes made on the iPhone version will appear in real-time on the Windows client.

In a nod towards cloud computing, Cerulean Studios says that all chats are stored on the company's server, which means they won't be lost if you suffer a dropped connection. The app can also be set up to send IM alerts when Trillian is shut down.

Image Credit: Cerulean Studios

Trending Topics: The New Internet Chat

Veronica Belmont — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Some of my favorite early Internet memories came from visiting chat rooms: I started out using Microsoft Comic Chat and graduated to AOL chat rooms early on. When the Internet was young (and there wasn’t as much to do), it was pretty easy to become entranced by the number of random topics in which one could instantly discuss in real time. It was all honest fun, but I won’t lie, there was definitely that underlying sense of “OMG, I can totally lie about who I am, and no one will be the wiser.” This, of course, being a choice that many Internet users make to this day.

Having grown out of AOL, I moved on to vanilla IRC, where everything changed. Finally, an actual sense of community (and that desire to please the channel ops for some mod privileges). Yet somewhere along the line, ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger came along and usurped IRC by simply establishing presence: if you wanted to talk to someone, you just sent them an IM -- no more waiting around in the chat room to see if they’d pop in.

The Internet would be a happier place if we still used this, I think.

But the chat culture that we once knew and loved hasn’t disappeared completely, although its shape has changed significantly. IRC is still widely used, but these days it tends to be a tool too raw for use outside the geek set, where it’s frequently employed in conference “back-channels” or listener discussions for podcasts such as This Week in Tech. IM has become a de-facto mode of communication amongst friends and co-workers, so ubiquitous Google has begun to merge it with email (first with Gchat, and now with Google Wave). But for that random and serendipitous sense of discovery, where can the chat-hungry turn?

IRC still thrives in the podcasting and gaming worlds.

Using Twitter as a “chat room” has been the answer for many, although it’s not hard to tell why broadcast messaging crossed with the inability to filter might be construed as a misuse of the platform. Granted, this was even more of an issue before Twitter defaulted to showing only the replies of people you follow, but there was a time when it wasn’t uncommon to see someone demanding two chatters “get a (private) chat room!”

I never said they wouldn’t be creepy

FriendFeed (recently acquired by Facebook) hasn’t enjoyed the same widespread adoption as Twitter, but I think it’s a much better host for conversation. Comments on posts load almost as quickly as a live chat, and the ability to upload media expands its usefulness. But if it’s the random meetings by chance you miss, Omegle.com is your one-stop shop for finding a perfect stranger to engage in completely bizarre conversation. It’s your choice as to whether you want to play the straight man, or if you’d rather see how badly you can confuse your anonymous discussion partner (or worse).

Sidewiki lets you interject comments and links on existing pages

The near future looks very interesting for chat, particularly when it comes to a new Google technology that allows you to expand the definition of a “chat room.” Dubbed Sidewiki, the system allows users of a web site to discuss and share information with others in a dedicated side-panel. This is also reminiscent of StumbleUpon and GetGlue, two other addons that let you discuss web content without browsing away from the page you’re viewing. And a simple search for “chat” in the Firefox plug-in directory brings up a big list of real-time chat sidebars.

See? These people are already using it wrong and admit it!

Finally, though they may not be popular among the tech elite, simple chat rooms do still exist, from Yahoo Chat to Meebo. As our meatspace lives become increasingly intertwined with our online personas, it’s nice to know that there are still some safe havens where we can go to be our random, serendipitous selves.

Veronica Belmont is the co-host of Tekzilla and the host of PlayStation Network's Qore. Follow her on Twitter @veronica.

Phishers Attempt to Attack via Bogus Live-Chat Customer Support

Pulkit Chandna — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:14:57 -0500

Phishers have added another trick to their copious arsenal. RSA, the security division of EMC, recently discovered a new type of phishing attack targeting online banking customers. It discovered phishing sites that contain fake live chat support for plausibility’s sake. RSA put its appellative faculties to good use to come up with a name for this new form of phishing attack: “Chat-in-the-Middle."

The attack proceeds in a routine way with unsuspecting online banking customers being led to a phishing page designed to extract their account details. After these gullible visitors are through with the first page, instead of being sent to another phishing page or to the genuine website, they are lead to a fake live-chat support window. The fraudster at the other end, posing as a customer support personnel, then tries to extract more account details from them through social engineering.

According to RSA, the fake live chat support window is powered by Jabber, an open source instant messaging protocol. “While at this point RSA has witnessed only a single instance of this attack, we are recommending extra vigilance to operators of all online banking websites and other websites where user credentials are targeted,” RSA wrote on its blog.

Image Credit: RSA

Digsby Trumps a New Version, But is it Ad Free?

Paul Lilly — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:09:24 -0500

We have a love-hate relationship with Digsby. On one hand, we love the multi-protocol instant messaging app, which not only covers all the major IM clients, but also keeps us connected to Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking services. But we hate the stockpile of bloatware Digsby stuffs into its installer. On top of it all, Digsby had come under fire recently for its hidden distributed computing research module, which hijacks CPU cycles to make the company money.

You spoke, and Digsby listened. In a blog post on Thursday, the company announced a new version of Digsby sporting a new "user-friendly installer." Gone are all the adware solicitations replaced by a single option to install the Digsby Ask Toolbar, though it does make a last ditch attempt to toss in couple of search options after it's finished installing. And this time around, Digsby is being upfront about its research module, both during the installation process and with a new tab to the preferences window.

"Blasting ads all over our product is the last thing we want to do so we will keep experimenting with unique, non-intrusive models like these," Digsby stated.

Download

Freeware Files: Five Instant Messaging Apps (that are better than AIM)

David Murphy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0500

Ding! If you're still using AOL's default instant messenger (or Google Talk, or Yahoo! Messenger, or...), then you're missing out on a wide range of alternative features--more than you perhaps though possible in a common messaging application. Or, worse, you're trying to converse with your friends across the various networks by using three or more individual applications at once. While this might have been the only way to bridge the gap between these services before, you can plead ignorance no longer. Start the uninstaller--and this article--and by the time you're finished with both, you'll never go back to the antiquated world of official messaging applications. Third-party is where the real party's at.

What can you expect to find in these open-source and freeware apps? For starters, an interface that combines a number of common messaging networks into a single program. In some cases, you can even lump your friends' various online names across the separate chat networks into a single, unifying alias--click a drop-down box to specify which network you want to reach them on. Beyond that, these programs can bring a number of plugins and external connections to the table. Combine your Facebook and Twitter feeds into your friends list, find out when people are about to message you before they do so, and call your buddies through your messenger interface akin to Skype. And that's just the tip of the IM iceberg.

Pidgin

What it does: I don't often play favorites in the freeware roundup, but I've been a steadfast Pidgin user for the past few years and can find little wrong with this lightweight, plugin-packed app. Out of the, er, box, Pidgin supports a comprehensive list of chat networks: AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, MySpaceIM, and Zephyr. You can add more by downloading plugins for Pidgin, although you'll find a wealth of usefulness in the customizable add-ons that the application already builds into its default installation. My favorite? Check out, "psychic mode," which pops up a blank IM window whenever someone is about to send you a message.

Download it here!

Digsby

What it does: Were Pidgin to have a full-fledged rival, I would put Digsby at the top of the list. What it lacks in cleanliness and unobtrusive installation mechanisms, it makes up for in total network comprehensiveness. Not only can you message your friends across a range of the most popular chat networks, you can also integrate your Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and MySpace accounts into the app. Get your friends' latest status updates, messages, photos--the whole kitchen sink--the second they post them. Heck, you can even use Digsby to check and send email. If you really, really hate the idea of having to fire up a few programs for multiple social interactions, switch to Digsby. It's the ultimate aggregator.

Download it here!

Trillian Astra

What it does: This one's still in beta, but it's every bit worth mentioning and/or playing around with. Aside from the common IM features that one would expect to find in a program like this, unique additions include: the ability to specify on a user-by-user basis who sees you as "online" or "invisible," a unique "Trillian profile" URL that you can share with friends instead of having to go through a list of your online handles, RSS integration and automated file transfer improvements, and integrated IRC support. The downside? A number of the super-cool features are locked away to the "premium" version of this application. And by premium, I (and Cerulean Studios) mean "paid-for." Still, if the Digsby interface turns you off, then you might find more happiness in the comprehensive, free offerings of Trillian Astra.

Download it here!

Miranda IM

What it does: Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. If you don't have the time or desire to fiddle with a number of configurations, features, and plugins, then you might want to check out Miranda IM. This no-fuss, no-installation IM application is a great program to stash onto a USB key. Plug it in, fire it up, and you'll be ready to connect to AIM, ICQ, IRC, MSN, and Yahoo! chat networks, to name a few. But don't think that you're always going to be restrained to basic IM functionality. You can build additional features into your Miranda IM client by installing any of the 350+ addons currently listed in the main site's database.

Download it here!

VoxOx

What it does: Like Trillian Astra, the lesser-known VoxOx is still in beta as well. And while it offers similar functionality to Diggsby, one of the stand-out features of VoxOx is its integration of a Skype-like calling functionality into the main program. Your account comes with its own phone number for others to reach you at, and the application will even forward incoming calls to an external number of your choosing a la Google Voice. A robust personal assistant allows you to customize your responses to incoming calls, including personalized responses for different contacts, call screening, and--my favorite--personalized waiting music. If you want to share files with fellow contacts in VoxOx, your upload (up to 100MB) is converted into a download link rather than a direct connection transfer like other clients. Although the software is free, calls cost $0.01 a minute for U.S. numbers.

Download it here!

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source and roundups of awesome, freebie software. Shoot him a message via Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

Yahoo Experimenting with In-Chat IM Ads

Paul Lilly — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:33:27 -0600

If ever there was a reason to consider switching IM clients to Pidgin or Trillian, it would be the concept of in-chat IM ads. That's exactly what Yahoo has been experimenting with in its Yahoo Messenger instant messaging software since last August.

"Ads in Yahoo Messenger will allow us to put even more resources behind developing and delivering valuable free features and services," Yahoo said. "Yahoo Messenger is a free service to our users, and our goal is to provide a useful and relevant experience while ensuring this is a profitable business for Yahoo. Yahoo is inherently an advertising-driven business."

The test ends this month, but Yahoo isn't offering so much as a hint as to what it will decide to do once the test is finished. However, it might not take much to convince the search company to implement in-chat IM ads. The company has been struggling financially and recently laid off over 1,500 employees. On the bright side, the ads don't appear to be terribly intrusive. Yahoo claim users will see ads at most once per day.

Watch Out! Regulations Make Retention of IMs, Texts Compulsory for Businesses

Pulkit Chandna — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:46:34 -0500

New regulations have made it compulsory for businesses to retain all wireless communications including IMs and text messages. Among the various legislations mandating the archival of wireless communications the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) are most prominent. Also, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) made the archiving of IMs and Texts compulsory through one of its edicts issued in December, 2007.

These legislations have encouraged companies like LiveOffice, Akonix Systems and Onset Technology to offer software solutions to businesses to effectively retain wireless communications. Onset is trying its level best to dominate this niche market segment by standing out from its competition. Onset’s technology can automatically screen messages before they are sent and subsequently block them if they contain something objectionable.

The ability to screen messages can save the blushes for enterprises as it is not uncommon for employees to aggrandize their messages with embarrassingly colorful language.

Image Credit: Crunchgear

Yahoo Releases Messenger 9.0 with Bolder Interface and Pingbox Feature

Andy Salisbury — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:05:56 -0500

This past Tuesday Yahoo released the latest version of their instant messaging program, Messenger 9.0. With the release, they’ve introduced a slew of new features including a brand new interface, chat window, improved spam control, and the Yahoo Messenger Pingbox.

The new interface is more spread out than previous versions, allowing for larger avatars and the ability to post status messages. Also included in the new interface is the ability to import your contacts in bulk from your e-mail, IM, or Facebook contact lists using third party operator TrueSwitch. TrueSwitch will search through your address books and find users already on Yahoo and shoot them a friend invite on your behalf.

The new chat window ups the ease-of-use factor, allowing users to drop maps, images, videos or links directly into the chat box when you want to share them with your friends. Being able to check out videos and images without even leaving your IM client is mighty convenient. Yahoo also made a reversal from their dime-sized emoticons, scaling them down to give them a much cleaner look.

The final big feature is the Yahoo Messenger Pingbox, which is brand new with this release. It allows for web site owners (such as bloggers, eBay sellers, and social networking power users) to chat in real time with anyone visiting their site. This is a step up over lurking your inbox, waiting for a reply e-mail from the site owner that you’re trying to get in contact with. For the owner of the site these Pingboxes are simple to use, and highly customizable. Everything from the aesthetics of the window, to sending out a broadcast message to your site’s users, you’ll be given lots of control.