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I don't do much instant messaging, although I have found it useful for communicating with colleagues overseas for free. But, in the ongoing quest for the answer to the question "Right, but can I do that in Linux?" I offer the following link on Three alternative Linux instant messaging applications.
Do I need to point out that "instant messaging" (communication across a network between different computers was invented on, by, and for Unix type machines. So of course, IM would be a natural with Linux. Not only that, but if you are sitting at your Mac communicating with someone half way around the world sitting at their PC, there are numerous Unix/Linux machines linking you up and doing the real work.
Technology
Comments
I use pidgin, works for more than just one protocol. Although all my buddies use gmail. See http://www.pidgin.im/ or apt-get install pidgin.
Posted by: oku | February 27, 2008 9:07 PM
The main problem is the lack of video capabilities in gaim (nee, pidgin) and friends. Although Skype (proprietary) and Ekiga (sadly little-known outside of Linux enthusiasts (i.e. not even most Linux users probably use it; only the enthusiasts)) have video and voice, the lack of video and voice capabilities in Jabber (including gtalk), AIM, and MSN is a rather glaring omission. Thankfully, it sounds like it's going to be fixed in the near future.
Posted by: Joseph | February 28, 2008 8:01 AM
I should specify that the lack of AV capbility is a problem of pidgin and friends, not the underlying protocols (though in MSN and AIM's cases, it may have to be painstakingly and error-pronely reverse-engineered, due to the stupidly proprietary protocols).
Posted by: Joseph | February 28, 2008 8:07 AM
Firefox 3 will whup the pants off of Internet Explorer
Posted by: Virgil Samms | February 28, 2008 10:14 AM
Joseph, pidgin (and gaim before it) has been promising video in "the near future" for several years now. i wouldn't hold my breath.
Posted by: Nomen Nescio | February 28, 2008 1:01 PM
Well, kopete can do video over msn.
Posted by: Wilfred | February 28, 2008 1:50 PM