BetaNews is reporting that AOL has released a beta of its next chat client, which is intended to be a replacement for AIM.
As the first major overhaul to AIM since its inception, Triton introduces an entirely new, simplified user interface that adopts contemporary elements such as tabbed message windows to switch between different modes of communication. Users can also corral all chat sessions into a single, tabbed window dubbed “IM Catcher.”
Sounds like they are finally getting on the tabbed-window bandwagon after Trillian has already moved in that direction. You can also get the DeadAIM plugin for AIM that will let you do tabbed chat windows.
Those who have downloaded it report that it has a cleaner interface than AIM, and hopefully AOL will keep the ads out of there and maintain that clean look when the full version is released.
A question for the FG readers: What chat client do you use? Are you using AIM, or have you switched to Trillian, Jabber, or some other app?
Trillian…
I used to use Dead AIM (when it was free), then when I saw trillian 2.0 (a loonng time ago) I was hooked. I loved the tabbed chat boxes and the skins. The only annoying part about trillian is getting the “micro browser” plugin so you can click links and such when you are viewing people’s info.
use both trillian and aim
I guess I could post what I use.
On my Windows machine at work, I use Trillian 3.0. I also used to use DeadAIM. Even paid for the upgrade to make it work with the newest version of AIM, but it did some wierd things when I tried to get rid of toolbars and stuff. It would leave buttons floating on the edge of the screen and things like that. Might also have been an issue with UtlraMon, which I also use.
On my Powerbook, I am using iChat. I tried a few of the alternatives, but have been happy with iChat so I stuck with it.
I use Trillian 3.0 Pro and it is awesome. I used to use Gaim which was cool too but the user interface is fairly dull. I would recommend both over AIM.
I use GAIM, because it’s so simple to use. Not to mention, stacking 5 buddy pounces every time they say something is just pure fun (although, I imagine other clients have that… but AIM doesn’t), :)
I tired this Triton thing, it lasted me 3 minutes…so far it in three minutes it crashed twice and doesn’t close (minimize) to the tray. So for now I will continue using AIM with Aim-Ad Hack.
I use Gaim 99% of the time, with AIM+DeadAIM for the other 1%.
I’m using gaim because I didn’t want to pay for Trillian Pro, but both are awesome.
I use Fire. It works. I like it. Even if it doesn’t support all the file-transfer and what-not.
I use Miranda, smaller that the rest, more extensible due to the amount of plugins currently availible for it, very customizable, and windows native (so it’s faster and more responsive than gaim on win32).
Used to use Trillian some years ago, then switched to Gaim, which is excelent too, but stayed with Miranda.
Adium. Nothing sucks less.
still trying to find a good linux client until then i use kopete
Messenger:Mate
Wonderful new and often updated AIM mod. Like DeadAIM but 10x better.
I’ve been using Gaim for a long time. I picked it over Trillian because I like the simplicity.
Adium forever
Adium.
Miranda!
one reason for that is that it skins with windows…. unlike trillian which doesnt.
PC: Trillian
MAC: iChat
iChat and I’m not allowed on the Internet at work so nothing on the PC
A fan of Gaim. Gaim has tabbed message dialog long long time ago.
gaim rocks all the way…
I use Miranda IM:
http://www.miranda-im.com
Low footprint, multi protocol (like trillian) and I could install it without needs admin privileges at work. w00t. And because I am a developer and IM about code — I dont have to deal with those crap emoticons rendering in my code cut+pastes. Damn those things.
On my laptop I use Fire.
On my PC, I use AOL Communicator (basically thunderbird with an AIM client built into it) and YIM. Tried GAIM and Trillian and had issues with both of them that weren’t worth the effort of figuring out how to fix.
I do use GAIM at work sometimes, because we have a jabber server set up that our websphere server can be set to throw error messages to… so I can get instant debug output in a chat window instead of having to dig through log files.
I’ve tried Triton, i like it alot. I’ve used many of the alternatives, but none of them can get the file transfers right. Triton is pretty good. Took a little getting used to, though, the buddy list is VERY busy. The only problem i see is that when you click the X, it logs you off instead of putting it in the system tray at the bottom, and alot of the features don’t work yet, so until the rest of it works, i’ll have to wait and see.
I tried triton last night. Ads are there. It looks nice, but if theres ads its not gonna be used by me.
I use Trillian 3.1 Pro. Love it.
plumbers
You are absolutely right
Triton is working nice now that I have figured out how to make a few adjustments to the settings…The #1 reason I like it better than aim is because it allows you to set a custom away message for each linked account. But in AIM no matter what you set your away status to the linked accounts would just have the default away message from aim.
Gaim, without a doubt. Always works well for me.
Don’t bother buying DeadAim. They’ve completely stopped any further development on it. DeadAim is totally dead.
dead aim is fire… just go to oldversion.com get the old aim 5.1 and the old deadaim 3 something and it works like charms.. -manic