Maximum PC IM RSS Feed

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.

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.

Windows Live's Third Wave Now Ready to Try

Mark Edward Soper — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:06:05 -0500

Windows Live has come a long way since it was first introduced as a Microsoft brand in 2006. The first wave bolted Hotmail, Messenger, and Spaces into a single download. In last year's second wave, tools like SkyDrive, Events, Photo Gallery, LiveWriter, Calendar, and Family Safety joined the family, along with support for mobile devices. This week, Microsoft rolled out its third wave, adding a new member to the Windows Live family (Movie Maker) and new features to several existing programs (Messenger, Photo Gallery, Writer, Toolbar, and more). We've already told you about the new features in Hotmail, so join us after the jump to find out what's new and improved.

Minimise-Me Helps Windows Live Messenger Users Create Personalized Emoticons

Mark Edward Soper — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:08:15 -0500

Jealous of Dr. Evil's Mini-Me? Worried about running out of Hot Pockets if you had a miniaturized version of yourself? Stop worrying - you can now create your very own 2D "mini-me" for free with Minimise-Me.

To learn more about the process, and to find out how you can put your screen-sized 2D double to work, join us after the jump.

Meebo Unveils "Community IM" for Social Networking Sites

Paul Lilly — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:21:38 -0500

Social networking sites are about to get a lot more chatty. Meebo, the Web-based instant messaging company, said it is taking its IM technology to partner sites this fall. When members sign on to compatible social-media sites, they'll be able to load up their buddy list, while also being able to detach the buddy list window. And when surfing away from one social site to another, users can still chat with their site-specific friends by migrating buddy lists into the Meebo client. It's all part of an effort Meebo is calling Community IM, and so far, sites said to be on board include:

According to ComScore, the above list gives Meebo access to 55 million users worldwide, and co-founder and CEO Seth Sternberg hopes to have even more partners jump on board by the time the service launches. Ad revenue will be shared, and Meebo claims its small, targeted ads receive much stronger "click through" rates than those found on other social networking sites like Facebook.

With a development team of just 40 strong, is Meebo being overly ambitious, or are they another success story in the making?

Sea of Change Sweeping Over Skype

Paul Lilly — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:56:06 -0500

With 309 million registered users and $126 million in first quarter earnings, it'd be easy to see why some might want to leave well enough alone, but don't expect Skype to remain stagnant. Despite the strong numbers, Ebay investors are into Skype for $2.6 billion, an amount most have since admitted was too much for the five year old company. In a bid for renewed faith for the pricey acquisition, Skype 4.0 will bring some major changes to the table, and you can test drive a beta version right now. Click through to see what to expect from the redesign.

Trillian Astra: First Hands On!

Will Smith — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:24:27 -0500

Will takes a late night test spin with the latest alpha version of the newest entry to the multi-format instant messaging race

Gizmo Project Adds AIM, Yahoo, and MSN Messaging

Robert Strohmeyer — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:37:01 -0500

Open source Internet phone adds more bling, but still needs to work on the basics