After some rather heated E-mails I received after not giving the new Trillian 3 the usual raving review, I have been searching for a worthy alternative to this “does everything” program. What have I found? Nothing that I belive is worth my time. There are a few alternatives out there like Gaim, Miranda, Sim and EasyMessage. None of them really did everything I needed it to do though. So I have decided to take my instant messaging ways back to where I started, to Yahoo.
I think Yahoo gets a bum wrap sometimes, but honestly I like what they do. Over the past year they have even been more innovative in their new features, content and ideas. I like that. Another factor I had to weigh in is that the few people I still talk to on instant messengers anymore are all using Yahoo Messenger. I just don’t have much use for a Trillian-like program anymore. Plus, since I get my DSL connection from SBC Yahoo, that adds more integration for me as well. My start page is “My Yahoo”. My E-mail is all pushed through Yahoo Mail (even my MitchKeeler.com Mail).
There are no ads in Yahoo Messenger either; which by itself makes it an option over AIM and MSN. It is fully customizable! I can add or remove things fairly easily. There are skins, so I can change the colors or things of that nature if I just felt the need to. Another option I now love is the integration with Launchcast. I’ve been rocking out to Hillary Duff and Ashley Simpson holiday music all morning long! I can also get alerted to new mail and the current weather conditions. It is just the choice application for me.
The idea of adding avatars and buddy icons is cute, but it isn’t exactly pushing me one way or the other. I can also have one click access to my Yahoo address book too. Yahoo has some of the world’s best emotions. Who else would provide you with secret ones to surprise folks with as well? The IMVironments are cute, but I have them disabled. Not a big fan of things flashing and beeping at me when I’m trying to talk to somebody.
However though, the integration with Yahoo Games is fun to play around with. Well fun if you have any friends who want to play with you. I used to be the master of Yahoo Pool, now I don’t even know what to do with my stick. Audibles go in the same category as IMViroments, cute but not my cup of tea. Another feature that is not new, but is just as cool, is the ability to show my Online status via my blog. As you can see I have the icon on the blog’s left side. Feel free to come talk to me anytime!
In a nutshell, if you are a fan of Yahoo services, then this is the instant messaging client for you. If your choices are too diverse, and you don’t know which direction to go, then Trillian might be your choice application. Just remember that just because a program comes from a big company doesn’t always mean it is evil.
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