Great Software for Chatting with Friends?

Answer 1

The rise of the internet gave way to the ability to connect with friends, family, and even complete strangers with the use of instant messaging. With social networks emerging as an added way of keeping in touch, these two technologies give users the ability to keep in touch no matter where they are and as such, many people find themselves with many different online personas. Never fear, as there are applications and programs out there that can help you keep in the know and updated all from the comfort of one location.

These programs allow you to sign in to various IM accounts and even social media accounts, giving you the entire outlook of which friends are on, which account they are on, and even updates from Twitter and Facebook. Here are four really great all in one chat programs.

1. Digsby - Digsby is a newcomer, but has the potential of growing bigger. Allowing for users to not only add in their IM accounts like Yahoo and Messenger, but you can also check your social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, AND check your incoming mail from giants like Yahoo and Gmail. Best of all, Digsby is free.
2. Trillian - Much in the vein of Digsby, Trillian also offers the ability of keep all of your IM personas in one location, like AOL, Yahoo, and MSN. Also included is the addition of keeping track of your social networks, a new online Trillian, and Trillian on the go so that you can chat without the computer.
3. Meebo - Meebo is another all in one application that keeps your IM and social networks together in place. As with Trillian, you can also take Meebo on the go with the mobile versions for iPhones, Blackberrys, and Androids.
4. Pidgin - another newcomer, Pidgin will interest those who have more than just the standard and popular IM chats. Pidgin also offers the ability for the popular IMs, but also ICQ, Zephyr, and MySpace Chat. Great for both work and personal friends.

With social media, texting, and IMs still going strong, the many usernames that we have can be overwhelming. The above applications help in that endeavor by keeping all of that information in a handy location, so you aren't constantly signing in to several different programs or sites.