Adium Update Fixes Vulnerability

Adium, my favorite multi-network instant messaging app for the Mac, has released version 1.3.6. The new version includes an updated libpurple to fix a vulnerability with the MSN protocol as well as an updated version of the Facebook chat plugin and numerous bug fixes.

If you use Adium, I highly recommend upgrading.

Meanwhile, work continues on Adium 1.4. If you’d like to help beta test, you can change your preferences to automatically download the latest beta, or visit the Adium beta page.

Trillian Astra for Web Now Here

Cerulean Studios is celebrating the 9th birthday of their multi-network instant messenger Trillian, and giving all of us a present. They have opened up their web-based version of Trillian Astra for beta testing. Unlike their Trillian Astra desktop client for Windows, the web version will also work on other operating systems, include Linux and Mac OS X.

This new beta is open to anyone with a Trillian Astra account (which you can get for free), however they plan to make the web version a premium service when it is officially launched. No word on what the cost might be.

If you already use Trillian Astra, the web version will look very familiar, using the beautiful Cordonata skin. Trillian Astra for the web uses Flash to give you a smooth, application-like feel. On top of this, all of your contacts, groups and other settings are synchronized with your desktop client.

This really is a Beta

As noted when signing in, this is very much a beta, and shouldn’t be relied on as your primary instant messaging program. In fact, I was able to login earlier today, but minutes later and without warning, the access was closed with the message “The web client is temporarily unavailable while we finalize it for beta access. It will re-appear at this spot when we’re ready to accept testers!” UPDATE: Access is open again.

Feature List

• Single sign-on capable
• Messaging across Astra, WLM, Yahoo!, AIM, ICQ, MySpaceIM, Jabber, Google Talk
• Typing notifications
• Smooth vector-based emoticons
• Buzz support
• Set status message
• Offline contacts folder
• Update browser tabs/taskbar with message alerts
• Profile integration
• Color themes
• Email notifications
• Suspend / resume sessions
• MetaContacts and groups
• Set and view user avatars
• Change displayname
• Mutable sounds
• Add and remove contacts
• Contact authorizations
• Generic “system tray” notification framework
• Basic mail alerts; click alert to open web mail in browser
• Basic keyboard controls

For more details, read the announcement on the Cerulean Studios blog.

Happy Birthday, Trillian!

Introduction to iChat

What you probably already knew about iChat

Back in July of 2002, Apple released a major update to their operating system taking it to version 10.2 and with it a slew of new applications and interface changes.One such application that came free with the new OS was iChat – an instant messenger much like AOL’s AIM – but with an Apple sense of style and coolness. IChat allows you to chat with others using your AIM, AOL or .Mac accounts and is the first third party messenger AOL has officially allowed onto their networks. Rendezvous, Apple’s zero configuration network technology, is also built into iChat allowing users to chat on their local network.

iChat's chat window

Since it’s release I have dropped my AOL Instant Messenger in favor of Apple’s iChat, not because of feature-to-feature comparison, but because of the experience Apple brings to my computing. IChat integrates so well with my other applications that it makes communicating with others easy and fun. For example, when you add a user to your Buddy List, they are also added to your Address Book, keeping both your lists neat and tidy. 

Setting up iChat

You have your choice of accounts when first setting up iChat, you can use your AOL, AIM or .Mac account. Of the three accounts, the AIM account is the most trouble-free to use and is the only one that’s free. So if you don’t have an account on any of these, AIM is the way to go for sure. IChat itself has no simple way of helping you get this type of account, it only offers setting up a .Mac account, but it’s as simple as moseying on over to AIM’s screen name setup page and registering a new screen name.

Once you have your screen name, setup your new account in the Preferences dialog, from the iChat menu. Check any options you’d like to turn on, such as auto login, menu bar status and status shapes. Then once again from the iChat menu, choose Log Into AIM. If you already had an existing AIM account, then your buddy list should be present otherwise you will need to find some.

AIM account setup in the iChat preferences window

If you have a .Mac account, the setup procedure is the same, just make sure you use your entire email address as your screen name. Buddies will see your name listed as your .Mac address. Above I mentioned AIM being the most trouble-free account, there are a few reasons for this. I have had login problems when logging in with .Mac account, I have experienced disconnection, unable to login errors, and sometimes users with full AOL accounts not available in my buddy list or vice versa.

There are some issues with the version of AIM with support for .Mac addresses. If you want to chat with .Mac users from AIM or setup a .Mac account using AIM, you should be using version 4.5 for Mac or 5.1 for PC. If your AIM buddy hasn’t updated to at least AIM 5.1, you won’t be able to chat with them using iChat

You can download iChat here (Mac only).

Rich Testani is our resident Mac guru. He’s been using Macs since the first generation PowerMac and AOL 2.5.  Rich is an illustrator and designer for Big Enough Clothes, and also runs the Mac-related Apple-Sauce web site.