Is there a simple Instant Messaging App?

**JoannaCurls** · 05-19-2011, 01:57 PM

Hi,

Other than AOL IM (AIM) is there a similar instant messaging program that I can use on my PC? (not for texting on a cell phone).

Something easy / safe that I don't have to have a convoluted social media account on FB or twitter or something tied to it. Something where I can IM real-time on my PC?

Thank you for any suggestions!

**MissSeetonFan** · 05-19-2011, 02:09 PM

Both Yahoo and Hotmail have IM applications that you don't necessarily have to have an email account with them to use. You can download the Yahoo one separately.

There is also something called Pidgin that I have used before which lets you chat with anybody on any network but you can set it up entirely independent of any other account. Pidgin, the universal chat client

**ktsmama** · 05-19-2011, 02:21 PM

I have used Yahoo IM. It was simple and I never had any problems.

**McD** · 05-19-2011, 02:26 PM

I used to use MSN messenger.

FB has a built-in feature, so does gmail.

**acidcookie** · 05-19-2011, 05:05 PM

I stopped using Yahoo because I get so much spam on it, and I only use AIM to talk to one friend (actually I don't have AIM installed either, I use it through Trillian, a program like Pidgin). None of my friends use only MSN messenger anymore, so I stopped using that. I mostly use gchat, which is built into gmail, which is the email I use. You can log into AIM from gchat now so that's really nice.

**Judi Dial** · 05-19-2011, 06:25 PM

I use Gmail, both FB and Yahoo had too many problems.

Judi

**Paws** · 05-19-2011, 09:13 PM

I've used Yahoo IM, but it's got stability issues...
I've used hotmail IM, not as many issues, just didn't really care for it...
Every so often I use FB or MS IM, but I'm not really a fan of it...
Hhhmmmm...I think it's safe to say, I just don't really like Instant Messaging...lol

**zakity** · 05-19-2011, 11:35 PM

I like gtalk or gchat (whatever it is called). It is a pretty stripped down version, but I don't need all that fancy stuff.

**mndtrp** · 05-20-2011, 12:41 AM

I used to use the Hotmail one, but that was because most people I knew had Hotmail accounts. If I was to chat these days, I would use Trillian, since it aggregates most chat programs into one.

**ErikM02** · 05-20-2011, 11:38 AM

G Talk all the way, or if you have a bunch of friends on other programs use Trillian

DO NOT use Yahoo Messenger as you will get a bunch of malware / viruses on your computer

**Gabe** · 05-20-2011, 10:07 PM

Googletalk been using it since it came out.
You can also make free calls to regular phones in Canada and the US!

I do miss the old programs from 13-15 years ago such as POW WOW and Mirabilis ICQ. Hu oh! lol