Most do trivial things such as randomly generating sayings by author Douglas Adams or cartoon character Homer Simpson, but some of these AppleScripts actually provide useful functionality, like language translation or controlling iTunes from Adium. Users have created a slew of AppleScripts that can be installed onto Adium. The appearances of the buddy list and chat windows can be separately changed. What sets it apart: Like the other two open-source instant messaging systems, users can customize Adium. The buddy list and chat windows of Adium fit right in with the standard OS X scheme, yet its layout will be familiar to anyone who uses an IM app on another operating system platform. Quality of user interface: Of course, being a Mac-only application, Adium was designed by its developers from the start to mesh with OS X. Along with the most popular IM protocols, Adium supports messaging through Apple's MobileMe service and Bonjour network technology. But, just as Miranda is only for Windows, Adium is exclusive to OS X. Like Pidgin and Miranda, Adium is open source. The quick rundown: Until recently (when VoxOx appeared), this was the sole multiprotocol instant messaging choice for Mac users. In the end, which one you will want to use depends on how you feel about using an instant messaging system, and what you use it for.

What follows is a quick (and opinionated) rundown of eight of these instant messaging applications. The companies behind these IM networks keep their video chat technologies proprietary, so it's a challenge for the developers of unofficial, third-party IM clients to reverse-engineer this feature. Note that almost none of these multiprotocol IMs (with the exception of Trillian) support the webcam/video chat functionality of the major IM networks (which include AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft). A couple have 'pro' or enterprise-level versions, in which case the free version is a good way to test it out first. In addition, these are all free apps - at least, for individuals. Perhaps as a result, the eight multiprotocol IM services covered here are very different from one another in terms of functionality and user interface experience.

All of these multiprotocol IMs have been developed independently, most without the official support of any of the companies that own the IM networks.

Trillian instant messenger