Google’s efforts to overtake Microsoft in dominance of the computing world continues with the release of Google Talk. Google combines instant messaging with VOIP (voice over IP, or voice over the Internet) and currently is Windows-only.
I have been using a free open-source IM client (Fire) for some time that is for Mac OS X only. According to the Google Talk website, Both Gaim and Psi are fully compatible with:
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
and both are compatible with major IM protocols (MSN, Yahoo, AOL, etc.)
The great thing about all these programs (Fire, Gaim, Psi) is that you can run a single instant messenger program, and stay in contact with all your buddies who have different IM IDs. Some functionality is lost (with Fire for instance, I don’t think a user can initiate a multi-user chat with MSN buddies) but core functionality is retained. I am going to give Gaim a try this week and will post my findings here soon.
Skype (www.skype.com) is currently the most popular, platform compatible, and high quality free VOIP solution of which I am aware. My guess would be that Google Talk is taking clear aim at Skype. If Google Talk goes cross platform (as it is supposed to), remains free, and essentially merges Skype functionality with a multi-protocol IM client, than that IS going to be really great.
I just wish Google would come out with Mac and Linux versions of its products (including Google Earth) at the same time it comes out with Windows versions….
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- One Day on Earth: Help Storychase the World’s Story on 10.10.10 – 2010
- Free eBook: Henry Jenkins on Participatory Culture and Media Education – 2010
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