eBuddy has opened up registration for people wanting to test upcoming versions of eBuddy Web and eBuddy Mobile. The first group of testers for the “Early Bird” beta will be strictly limited, so if you are interested, get in now!
The popular Web Messenger has been rewritten from the group up to improve ease of use and performance (the current version often gives me browser lag).
From what I’ve read, one of the obvious changes will be that you can login to WLM, Yahoo! and AIM all at the same time from within one application (which most other multi-network Web messengers already support), as opposed to the current setup which uses separate browser windows for each IM network.
Web based messengers allow you to sign in to the Messenger network without downloading and installing Windows Live Messenger or any other program. Using a Web based messenger is useful in school or work environments where Windows Live Messenger might be blocked or you are not allowed to use instant messaging.
The Web sites below allow you to sign in using just a Web browser, no installing is required. If Windows Live Messenger has been blocked or disabled where you are, you may find some of these will be blocked too, as whoever is in charge has found out about them!
- MSN Web Messenger
- eBuddy
- ILoveIM
- Meebo
- MSN2Go
- IMhaha
- KoolIM
- Communication Tube
- Messenger FX
- Instan-t Express
- Mabber
- IMUnitive
- Snimmer
- NEW: RadiusIM
This page will be updated whenever I find another Web site to add to the list. Do you know of another one that’s not listed here? Please leave a comment here for other people to see!
Communication Tube is a multi-network Web messenger supporting Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ and IRC.
The biggest advantage of Communication Tube is that it’s completely Web based, no software download is required. It is convenient for people using the internet from internet cafes, school, or work. You can be connected to multiple IM networks simultaneously from its single Web interface. Sending and receiving messages are done without refreshing the page, which minimizes internet traffic and makes manual page refreshing unnecessary.
The service is still relatively new, so it doesn’t have too many flashy features and has a few glitches (eg. it’s showing I have some offline contacts whose display name is 2, 10, or 12). There is a feedback email link at the bottom, so if you can think of ways to improve it, why not let the author know?
Kool IM, launched in July 2006, is one of the more recently released Web based instant messaging services supporting the Windows Live Messenger network. It also supports a few networks most others don’t, such as Google Talk, ICQ and Sametime.
Kool IM launched version 2 a couple of weeks ago, with the most notable change being the switch from pop-up windows to being entirely embedded in one page using AJAX.
IMhaha is a multi-network Web based messenger that supports four of the top instant messaging services including MSN, Yahoo!, AIM and QQ (China’s leading IM with over 200 million active users).
Using a Web based messenger like IMhaha is useful at school or work where Windows Live Messenger might be blocked or you are not allowed to use instant messaging, as it allows you to sign in using just your Web browser.
The service has been around since early last year, so in some cases it may be blocked where instant messaging is not allowed.
TechAddress has an interview with IMhaha, revealing more about the Silicon Valley based startup such as what sets them apart from other similar services, and an explanation about the interesting name.
