Instant Message (Chat) Software options

[mrdata1701b]

I have seen many messages go by discussing what is the best software for instant messaging. Up until recently, I had been using Agile Messenger. It was quite unstable when I first started using it a couple of years ago, but it is much better now. There is a cost now, which I think is high, but I would be willing to pay. Before buying into Agile though, I felt I should review my other options, and I have run into problems with each. Can anyone either help me get past these problems, or perhaps suggest another solution? Here are the programs I have tried and the problems I have experienced.

Agile Messenger - I have become very happy with the software, but I am not fond of subscriptions. I would much prefer to be able to buy the software outright. I may be able to get over that, but I discovered something else. I like to try the different ROM's that show up on this board and I have noticed that my customer ID in Agile changes with the different ROM's. Does this mean I need to buy a new license each time I change my ROM? I have written email to Agile about this and a couple of other questions and I have never heard back. I am concerned about the lack of support. There are also security questions that have been presented elsewhere on this board about having a middleman handle your connection to the various chat services since the middleman needs to know the username and password to connect.

IM+ - I tried this program, and I like the fact that I can purchase it and be done. I also like that it seems to connect directly to the chat services, thus getting rid of the middleman problem mentioned above. I have been experiencing a problem though where I appear to be online, both from my side, and from the side of my buddies, but messages do not go through. I have also experienced situations where I have successfully sent messages to friends, they replied, but I did not receive the replies. I find this type of unreliability to be intolerable, especially since you can not tell if it is happening. As far as you know, you are sending messages but your friends are not responding when they very well might be. I have tried reinstalling after a hard reset with the same problem.

IMOV - From what I can tell, this is just a XMPP (Jabber, Google..) client. It relies on relays on the Internet to access any other chat system such as AOL, or Yahoo. This introduces the problem with the middleman above, but further, these relays are practically anonymous. At least with Agile, I have some idea (though not a perfect one) who I am entrusting my credentials to. I do not have that with the relays used by XMPP. I guess I could research the available relays and find one I trust, but I am not looking to do that right now.

Verichat - I have not tried this in a while. It is another subscription based system and is a middleman. I guess my thought is that if I am going to pay an ongoing fee AND have a middleman, I would rather have Agile.


Okay, this has gotten to be a long post, but I think it presents my current position. I communicate with users of AOL, Yahoo, Google, and MSN. I can not get all of them to see reason and just all change to IRC or XMPP :-D

I am running this on a Universal (i-Mate Jasjar) with Windows Mobile 5. I am posting in general because I am sure this is a topic that affects many of the XDA phones.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[Menneisyys]

As far as IRC is concerned, don't forget to check out my IRC-related roundups - I've cross-posted some of the latest ones here in the General forum too.

[mrdata1701b]

I have just discovered those. I have given thought to using IRC, but I do not know if I need yet another transport to become dependant on. If I had it all to do over again, I would select IRC and / or XMPP for how open they are and ignore anyone who refused to do the same. (In a perfect world.. :-) )

[malatesta]

There is also Octro which is a Google Chat program that can do chat and VOIP even over a 1x connection (uses the jabber connection).

http://www.octro.com/

It's only for Google right now but the developers have noted that they will add AIM, Y!, MSN, etc later on (it's still in beta).

The VOIP part is really neat. It's not perfect but it is much less resource intensive than Skype and feels more "phone like" when you get an incoming call.

We have an ongoing thread where here at ppcgeeks.com where the developer pops in (they're very good at fixing bugs, adding features, etc.)

http://www.ppcgeeks.com/octro-new-im...459.html#12485

The software is free right now but there will be a cost later. For me, this software has the most potential out of all the other programs if only b/c it's being developed now and you the user can help make it better...

[mrdata1701b]

I look forward to seeing Octro when the other IM systems are added. I wonder what kind of cost will be attached. Anyone have suggestions to solve the problems I was having with IM+? Has anyone else tried to contact Agile? Any luck?

[malatesta]

Originally Posted by mrdata1701b I look forward to seeing Octro when the other IM systems are added. I wonder what kind of cost will be attached. Anyone have suggestions to solve the problems I was having with IM+? Has anyone else tried to contact Agile? Any luck?

Good news, AIM, ICQ and MSN were just added! (still experimental but it works for me)

Version 1.06 came out today. As far as price...dunno. It's free though till the end of Feb.

[wolverine3344]

yea im also looking into some other options since i upgraded my rom. they discontinued verichat so unless you have your old license (if you bought it) its not going to work. im using octro now and it seems to be working fine. i tried installing agile but theyre files are all messed up. any more suggestions?

[thedubya914]

How exactly does one go about using their aim acount with octro? I just downloaded the pocket pc version from the site and just got a google talk account but still haven't figured out how to contact people using aim. Is this possible? Any help would be appreciated.

[Lucas0511]

Originally Posted by thedubya914 How exactly does one go about using their aim acount with octro? I just downloaded the pocket pc version from the site and just got a google talk account but still haven't figured out how to contact people using aim. Is this possible? Any help would be appreciated.

Menu/Option/Accounts/Legacy Accounts
GoogleTalk must be online
or RTFM :-)

Welcome to this forum :-)

[McHale]

There is a new one that does them all (AIM, MSN, GTalk, Yahoo, ICQ, and Jabber) that is currently free and Java based. I quit using IM+ (which I paid for) and am using it exclusively. Currently the beta testing is closed while I think they upgrade their servers, but should open up again shortly I think).

It is supposed to be for the crackberries, but works great on my Dash and K-Jam:

http://www.bbhub.com/2007/01/25/jive...ilable-to-try/

http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com...plication.html

-Mc