Free Software Linux

Windows/Mac/Linux (Adobe Air): MeeBone, an Adobe Air implementation of chat aggregation service Meebo, makes the previously web-only chat service feel like a standard instant messaging app, complete...

Jailbroken iPhones/iPod touches only: Agile Messenger isn't the only multi-client app available for the iPhone, but it makes mobile messaging seriously convenient, and it's pretty slick-looking, to...

All things Mac web site Macworld details how to set your instant message privacy status on a schedule to help you stay productive during your busy times. Unfortunately there are no IM clients that...

Windows only: Dexrex, a free set of plug-ins for most popular IM clients, lets you store transcripts of your IM conversations from any system online for later reference. Dexrex's plug-ins work with...

Windows/Linux: The Facebook Chat for Pidgin plug-in connects the popular open-source chat application Pidgin with the new Facebook Chat instant messaging service. Facebook integration is one of the...

Web service IM Feeds notifies you via instant messenger if an RSS feed has updated—like a package tracking feed, a special friend's blog, or news site you're tracking closely. To sign up, send...

Web-based information manager MyGADs lets you create, share, and retrieve important bits of information like flight confirmation numbers, birthdays, phone numbers, and more. Store address books,...

Windows only: Need to make sure your instant message chats can't be intercepted or read by third parties? SimpLite, a free suite of encryption packages, allows for fully encrypted chats over AIM,...

"...Though there are a number of IM options for Emacs, one that works particularly well with minimal fuss is Jabber.el, a robust and configurable Jabber client that supports basic Jabber/XMPP and multi-user chat. You can download it from the project's Sourceforge page ..."

The popular up-and-coming chat application Digsby (original post) has integrated the newly released Facebook Chat. Digsby separated itself from the pack of the five best instant messengers with its...

Windows only: We all got a little excited when we saw the new green screen-like background effects new to iChat in Leopard (especially the Star Wars hologram effect), but if you're living the Windows...

On Tuesday we asked for your favorite instant messaging applications, and over 550 comments later, we've culled it down to the most popular five. From web-based chat to desktop clients to tools that...

Once upon a time you needed a chat client running on your computer for each and every instant messaging service you used, and since different buddies used different IM protocols, you had run...

Windows only: Freeware instant messaging application Digsby, which boasts integration not only across chat networks but also with your email and social networking web sites, has come out of private...

Mac OS X only: Free, open source application AdiumBook acts as a bridge between your Adium IM contacts and your Address Book contacts to help you manage and keep all of your contacts in sync. You can...