Discussion on:

Five chat client apps to make business collaboration easier

What is your preferred chat client? Which chat client features are most important to you and your organization?

I wonder why Skype is not in the list, seems like they haven't really considered Microsoft in this list. Just hoping that they come out with Conference video call. BTW CollateBox could be very soon in the list, for making spreadsheet collaboration filled with social engagement features like notifications, alerts etc


Athar

I have tried a lot of chat applications (and first 3 from this list), but what I don't like is creating master account so I can use protocols I need... and then log to them too.
Trillian and Pidgin were fighting a long time on my PC, and I ditched both. Reason was that I needed multiprotocol on the move - on my mobile device.
So I tried Beejive and IM+ on my Blackberry and IM+, IMO and Beejive on my Android.
Guess what stayed? IMO. Has all protocols I need and does not require master ID.
And it has web interface...

Another to try is OpenCHAT. It is a portable Java app - simple to install and use. Thanks for your nice blogs, Jack...always helpful!

We use Spark a lot.

"People often dont believe me when I say how important it is to have efficient communication within a business. And when messaging is mentioned as one of the most efficient means, the floods of doubt open up. However, until youve tried messaging within the company, you dont know what youre missing."

I've had MS Communicator on my desktop for a couple of years now. Chat / instant messaging (is there a difference?) may be efficient, but I don't know of a situation where it would be my first choice from my available communications tools. Holding a phone to my head may be inconvenient, but to me the speed of voice communication more than makes up for it.

I read that it was bought, and then went open source. Anybody still using it?

Yes it was fast, not as intrusive as a phone call not as likely to be missed or delayed a email.
The serious downside however is tracking. Actually lack thereof. When used with clients, issues, followups, requirement changes and other critical information was lost. When used internally not only were the same items lost but discussions leading to design decisions, assignment of action items and other critical information was lost. At least with email the item or thread can be cc'd or forwarded to responsible parties. Chat or IM in an enterprise setting without logging and tagging leads to (usually unintentional) bad practice and loss of critical information.
~GeoD

I don't have much use for Communicator but it does keep copies of each conversation in my Outlook client.

for me Trillian works perfect for when i dont want many running tabs

no Miranda IM?

I have been using Trillian but do need something else. Trillian is always loosing connection on some of my accounts and its nothing but a pain you go to open an account and have to wait till it decides to reconnect, you think they would run better sense it has been around for a long time. But Facebook IM is always doing it to so I'm just wondering how many others do that also.

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