So Google has this new instant messenging client, Google Talk. I downloaded it to try it out. Smartly, Google has used a standard protocol, XMPP, allowing clients such as Trillian Pro and GAIM to connect to it. This means I can supposedly use Google Talk even in Ubuntu.
How does it stack up to other IM clients? Overall I say it loses, simply because it lacks so many features other clients have. For example, no emoticons. The overall interface is smooth and rough at the same time: it looks good, but handles roughly. However, it is new. I’ll give it time to improve and gain features, like Gmail, because it looks good right now and so far Google hasn’t let me down.
Google Talk at least allows a degree of text formatting (using *bold* and _italic_) and promises rich text formatting in the future, unlike MSN Messenger. And its call feature (audio conversation over a microphone) is superior to MSN: faster to connect by far, and no ‘network issues’ whatsoever. Take that, MSN.
The way it groups conversations into one stacked window reminds me slightly of GAIM but handles better than GAIM. It took a few minutes to get used to it, but at least it doesn’t clutter up my taskbar, so I’m all for it. Kudos to Google on that one.
Overall it needs work, but that’s what the “beta” stamp is for, I don’t expect it to beat MSN, AIM, and YIM in one release. So far it looks very promising. If you have a Gmail account, try it. If you don’t have a Gmail account, where have you been the past year?
» 4 people have an opinion
It’s okay. Definitely needs improvement. It needs display pics, it is definitely not as good as MSN.
Also, on MSN, you can use the bold and italics as long as you have MSN Plus. But I know what you mean.
As for audio, MSN audio is okay, it sucks at sometimes, so that’s why I have Skype for audio stuff.
I don’t want display pics. I’m really wanting it to stay uncluttered. Emoticons perhaps (as an optional, not stupid defaults that you can’t change).
MSN can go die. It can’t manage to include in its regular version what both AIM and (to a limited extent, admittedly) Google Talk have managed to do. MSN is in what, version 7? Seriously.
ive been using aim for 5 or 6 years now and msn for about 3, i personally like Msn a lot better. thats just me though. the reason being because i and my brothers have gotten a number of viruses from people profiles in aim. msn is a lot more secure if you ask me
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Rights right, TAKE THAT MSN … illiterate pigeons are switching to Gmail every where, why don’t you?
Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 2:01 AM