Meebo Instant Messenger

by Barbara Eastom Bates | More from this Blogger

20 Jan 2007 06:21 PM

If you're like most people, you're probably using multiple instant messaging programs to keep up with friends. Doing so, however, isn't always the best idea for keeping an optimally running system. Memory intensive programs requiring extensive system resources can slow your computer down and hinder performance.

Trillian, Gaim, and related multi-protocol applications were the first to make combining multiple accounts all into one program easier.

Now there is Meebo.

Similar to ICQ2Go or Yahoo Web Messenger, Meebo is an in-browser instant messaging application that supports multiple services including Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger), AIM, ICQ, Google Talk and Jabber. Meebo is completely web based, so there is nothing to download or install. But unlike it's Java-based counterparts, Meebo employs AJAX technologies which require substantially less system resources and behave more like a desktop application.

According to Meebo's blog, Meebo "is a website for instant messaging from absolutely anywhere. Whether you're at home, on campus, at work, or traveling foreign lands, hop over to meebo.com on any computer to access all of your buddies (on AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber) and chat with them, no downloads or installs required, for free!"

Meebo is also a great resource for accessing instant messaging from behind corporate or academic firewalls where access might otherwise be blocked.

Meebo features single login for multiple services, online chat logging, send and receive notification sounds, customized away messages, offline messaging, emoticons, icons and display pictures. Users can also publish their online presence in real time by embedding "meebo me" widgets on any webpage compatible with html and flash, including MySpace, Blogger, WordPress and Friendster.

Listed as number 65 in PCWorld's 100 Best Products of the Year, and Time Magazine's Top 50 Coolest Websites for 2006, it's definitely one to watch in the next generation of instant messaging.

Learn more about Barbara Eastom Bates

Barbara Eastom Bates is a freelance writer and self-professed computer geek living in southern California.

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