The False Blog

Most of us here use MSN Messenger. Most of us use the MSN Messenger program from Microsoft, not knowing we have alternatives.

Let me tell my story first. I used to use that program too, (before I switched of course) and after like 10 months of not using it, I’d forgotten how many ads it has in the contact list. Last month I had to go to the PC to work, so I used that MSN Messenger. OMG, look at the ads.

We have:

• a banner ad at the bottom of the contact list
• the MSN search box (that’s advertising the search service, if you’re wondering)
• numerous “useful” tabs at the side of the contact list that are obviously ads, and they can’t be disabled
• a little message that sometimes appears below conversation windows
• links to Zone.com (a Microsoft website) when you’re playing the games
• I guess there are many more, but I don’t want to list any longer.

So why do we still use it? No reason, it’s just that it’s the official client, and it’s pre-installed in Windows. I bet most people don’t know there are many other choices.

Next, we’ve come to the choices, and this is the point of this post: boycott the official MSN Messenger client. Because we need something better.

1. Trillian – Honestly this is the only client I’ve used. It doesn’t only handle MSN, it does Yahoo, Gtalk, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, and IRC too! There are more, but these are all that I care about. Trillian handles all at the same time, meaning you can remove all other clients and use only this. It has other features like customising its appearence.
2. Gaim – The features are similar to those of Trillian. But it’s open source. Some geeeks seem very enthusiastic about it.
3. Miranda – Again, the geeks are quite keen on this one too. It’s open source and multi-protocal, and it’s “smaller, faster, easier” according to the website.
4. Adium – Sorry, it’s Mac only. But I won’t forgive myself if I don’t mention it. (This is the one I’m using.)

Now, of course there are more, but these are the popular ones, and three options is enough for you to make your own wise decision. BTW I bet all of them don’t have ads. Please consider them. You won’t look back.

At the end, I still have to say it – use Gtalk please. I understand it’s not an easy change, but it’s not that impossible, is it?