Download - Messaging & Chat
Aim
America Online Inc - (Freeware)
AOL AIM Triton is the next generation release of AOL Instant Messenger. It is an all new user experience with an elegant, tabbed look and feel.
New 'Quicknote' feature replaces the initial IM window to provide a snapshot of known contact information about that buddy and give users three choices: launching an IM session, launching an AOL Talk session or sending a mobile text message to a cellular user.
The tabbed messaging interface helps users easily transition from text to mobile instant messaging or AOL Talk, and will eventually enable users to launch video IM sessions, share files or images and invite Buddies to play games with one click.
Digsby
dotSyntax - (Freeware)
Digsby, IM, email and Social networks in one easy to use application.
Instant Messaging - digsby is a multiprotocol IM client that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list.
Email Notifications - digsby is an email notification tool that alerts you of new email and lets you perform actions such as 'Delete' or 'Report Spam' with just one click.
Social Networking - digsby is a social networking tool that alerts you of events like new messages and gives you a live Newsfeed of what your friends are up to.
Eudora
QUALCOMM Inc - (Freeware)
Eudora is the best email program for people who get lots of email. If you're not one of those people now, you will be soon. So, take control of your email before it takes control of you. Eudora is more than a way to send and receive messages - it's a powerful email management tool with features to increase your productivity and enhance your communications.
ScamWatch combats "phishing" schemes that use disguised URL's to gather personal information. Eudora now detects if the URL in the link differs suspiciously from the host name and warns you to exercise caution before making the connection.
Version 8 of is now open source and based on Thunderbird.
Gizmo Project
SIPphone Inc - (Freeware)
Gizmo Project uses your internet connection (broadband or dial-up) to make calls to other computers. With the click of a mouse, you're connected to friends, family, and colleagues anywhere on earth. It's just that simple. You talk clearly. For as long as you want. For free.
And with inexpensive add-ons like Call In and Call Out, you can talk to any telephone, mobile or landline on the planet.
Google Talk
Google - (Freeware)
Google Talk is a simple and free way to talk with and send instant messages to your friends. Like Gmail, Google Talk uses Google's innovative technologies to help people communicate more effectively and efficiently. Think of it as Google's approach to communications.
Google Talk is easy and intuitive to use. All you need to make free calls is an Internet connection, a microphone, and a speaker. After you download Google Talk, sign in with your Gmail username and password. Invite your friends to download Google Talk, and once they do, you'll be able to talk or IM with them instantly.
ICQ
ICQ Inc - (Freeware)
ICQ or 'I Seek You' is simply a way of getting in touch with people and friends.
The most popular method of communication on ICQ is instant messaging, enabling you to send a message that immediately pops up on an online contact's screen. But there's a lot more to ICQ than that.
With ICQ Instant Messenger you can video/audio chat, send email, SMS and wireless-pager messages, as well as transfer files and URLs. If you're away from your personal computer you can still chat with friends and contacts, even where the ICQ client is not installed, by using the web-based ICQ2Go that works from any computer.
MailWasher
MailWasher - (Freeware)
Introducing MailWasher, a leader in anti spam software, the easiest way to check and manage your e-mails before you download them.
MailWasher is free to use and won't ever expire.
Use this powerful anti spam software, a reliable spam blocker, that will effectively stop email spam. Discover the safe way to stop unwanted e-mails before they get to your computer.
No gimmicks here, it is so easy to set up and use that you'll be managing your email like a pro in seconds. It can even be used as an effective privacy tool.
Miranda
Miranda IM - (Open Source)
Miranda IM is a multi protocol instant messenger client for Windows. Miranda IM uses very little memory and is extremely fast. It requires no installation and can be fitted on a single floppy disc. Its powerful plugin system makes Miranda IM very flexible. Only the most basic features are built in, but there are currently more than 350 free plugins available for download that allows users to extend the functionality of Miranda IM.
Available Protocols: ICQ : AIM : MSN : Jabber : Yahoo : IRC : Gadu-Gadu : Tlen : Netsend
mIRC
mIRC Co Ltd - (Shareware)
mIRC is a shareware IRC client for Windows. mIRC is a highly configurable IRC client with all the goodies other clients on UNIX, Macintosh and even on windows offer, combined with a clean user interface. mIRC offers full color text lines, DCC File Send and Get capabilities, programmable aliases, a remote commands and events handler, place sensitive popup menu's, a great Switchbar, World Wide Web and sound support, and... a lot more. mIRC is shareware but not crippled in any way.
Pidgin
Gaim - (Open Source)
Pidgin (previously called Gaim) is a multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. Pidgin users can log in to multiple accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on AOL Instant Messenger, talking to a friend on Yahoo Messenger, and sitting in an IRC channel all at the same time.
Pidgin supports many features of the various networks, such as file transfer, away messages, typing notification, and MSN window closing notification. Compatible with AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks.
Skype
Skype Technologies - (Freeware)
Skype is software for calling other people on their computers or phones. Download Skype and start calling for free all over the world.
The calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don't even need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear.
Additionally it doesn't just work on Windows. Skype is also for Mac OS X, Linux and PDAs using Pocket PC, with a native look and feel for each platform. Talking, sending instant messages or even file transfers work between different platforms like a charm.
Spamihilator
Michel Kramer - (Freeware)
Spamihilator works between your E-Mail client and the Internet and examines every incoming E-Mail. Useless spam mails (Junk) will be filtered out. This process runs completely in the background.
The new Learning Filter (Bayesian Filter) uses the rules of Thomas Bayes (English mathematician, 18th century) and calculates a certain Spam-Probability for every E-Mail. You can train this filter! So it will know your messages even better than you. Hence the recognition rate will continuously increase.
Thunderbird
Mozilla Organization - (Open Source)
Thunderbird is a great email client from the same people who brought you the Firefox browser.
Thunderbird gives you IMAP/POP support, a built-in RSS reader, support for HTML mail, powerful quick search, saved search folders, advanced message filtering, message grouping, labels, return receipts, smart address book LDAP address completion, import tools, and the ability to manage multiple e-mail and newsgroup accounts.
Main features: Full-Featured Email : Junk Mail Filters : Anti-Phishing Protection : Advanced Security : Automatic Updates
Trillian
Cerulean Studios - (Freeware)
Trillian is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC. It provides capabilities not possible with original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings.
Without stealing your home page and with no other included software, pop-ups, or spyware, Trillian provides unique functionality such as contact message history, a powerful skinning language, tabbed messaging, global status changes (set all networks away at once), Instant Lookup (automatic Wikipedia integration), contact alerts, an advanced automation system to trigger events based on anything happening in the client, docking, hundreds of emoticons, emotisounds, shell extensions for file transfers, and systray notifications.
Windows Live Messenger
Microsoft Corporation - (Freeware)
With MSN Messenger you can chat online instantly in real time with friends, family and colleagues. It's faster than e-mail, more discreet than a phone call.
Chat using a webcam, send text messages to mobile phones, and express yourself instantly online in real time with new, cool emoticons.
MSN Messenger looks like you! Sign in with your own picture, create your own emoticons, and represent yourself with new, cool backgrounds!
XChat
XChat.org - (Open Source)
XChat is an IRC (chat) program for Windows and UNIX (Linux/BSD) operating systems. I.R.C. is Internet Relay Chat, see http://irchelp.org for more information about IRC in general. XChat runs on most BSD and POSIX compliant operating systems and this version supplied here is for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.
This download is for a 30 day free trial.
Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo Inc - (Freeware)
Use Yahoo! Messenger to call and talk over the Internet just like you're on the phone. All you need is a headset, or a microphone and speakers. It's that easy - just click the Call button. If no one's there, leave a voicemail!
You can also get much better sound quality than regular phone lines. Try it out - you and your friends will really hear a difference.
Find, add, share friends... It's easier than ever to add and invite friends to Messenger. You can even send your contact information to a friend's Address Book.