Microsoft's instant messenger comes in four flavors: MSN Messenger is available for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP; Windows Messenger is available only for Windows XP; Microsoft Messenger is available for the Mac; and Windows Live Messenger is the newest version, currently still in beta testing for Windows XP and Vista.
MSN Messenger has seen the biggest gain in market share of any instant messenger; over 90% in the past year alone. In my opinion, it has the cleanest, friendliest user interface. Very easy on the eyes. Note that Messenger no longer runs on Windows 95.
Gaim is a multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. It is compatible with AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks.
Gaim users can log in to multiple accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on AOL Instant Messenger, talking to a friend on Yahoo Messenger, and sitting in an IRC channel all at the same time.
Meebo is a multi-protocol web-based messenger. You can use Meebo to sign-in to AIM/ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk or other Jabber servers -- all at the same time. Meebo uses an innovative AJAX-powered interface that feels much like a real application, even though it's all web based.
Meetro is the messenger that helps you find people. Tells how close they are (If using Meetro also) and you can chat with your AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, and MSN buddies! To use you must make an account which you can do by going here.
Allows you to patch MSN Messenger 7.5.0322 with the following options: enable polygamy, install custom games, disable nudges, remove add contact label, remove msn search bar, remove banner ad, remove msn today button, fix nickname length, remove white (text ad) space from conversation windows, distinguish Idle from Away status, and even more!
Allows you to patch Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0787 with the following options: enable polygamy, install custom games, disable nudges, remove add contact label, remove msn search bar, remove banner ad, remove msn today button, fix nickname length, remove white (text ad) space from conversation windows, distinguish Idle from Away status, and many many more...
An update of Mess Patch for the final version of WLM 8.1.
New features include:
- Added: Full-sized Display Pictures in contact cards.
- Added: Remove mobile device button from dashboard.
- Patch improvements:
* Displays an error message if the user is not logged in as computer administrator.
* Pages load faster.
* A graphic is shown on startup.
A detailed list of options available from www.mess.be.
Messenger Plus is the most famous add-on for MSN Messenger. Some of its main features consist of sending custom emotion sounds to your contacts, rename your contacts to tidy your contact list, see statistics about your buddies in order to clean up your contact list, make your windows semi transparent, automatically accept file transfers, filter words from the messages you send or receive, 50 available slots for instant Quick Texts, customizable automatic messages that you can send with a simple shortcut or typed command, quick icon panels to make it easier to insert your emoticons, a Text Recall feature to resend recent messages, a Boss Protection feature that hides Messenger and your conversations with a shortcut ... and much much more..
The most famous addon for Msn Messenger is finally compatible with Windows Live Messenger! Some of its features (there are really many!) include tabbed chats, quick texts, custom sounds, colors, formatting and commands, personalized status, mesenger lock, contacts on desktop, event viewer and event logging, contact list clean-up, polygamy.