chat

BigString releases IM for the paranoid

BigString just released "Self Destructing Instant Messaging," a plug-in for AIM that lets you convert an ordinary IM discussion into one where the messages literally vanish from the screen moments after they are sent.

To initiate a self-destructing thread, you have to start from AOL's IM client and install the BigString software add-on. Then, from within AIM, you get an option to "Go BigString," which if the company were not so enamored of its branding, would say instead something useful, like "launch secret IM window." At any rate, once you select this option, … Read more

Get Facebook chat minus Facebook

So you've been having fun with Facebook's somewhat half-baked chat service for the last day now, but are you growing tired of having to first log-in, then pop-out the chat window? For those of you who want to chat without this two-step process, there's a nice little tweak discovered by Mozilla Links that lets you set Facebook chat to pop out in Firefox's side bar.

I'm not really a fan of sidebar driven applications (gDocsBar not included), but this implementation works out pretty well. It will load up your buddy list and work just like … Read more

Facebook Chat finally live to all users

Facebook announced Wednesday morning that its in-browser Facebook Chat feature is now live to all members, over two weeks after it first debuted to a limited number of users.

It was clear that Facebook was concerned with the stability of the chat application, first debuting it on a Sunday when many members--not to mention tech bloggers eager to report any flaw or bug--might not be at their computers.

The social network then rolled out Facebook Chat incrementally, with different "networks" on the site--geographic regions, colleges, companies--gaining access to it before others so that the new feature could stay … Read more

Webware 100 winner: iChat

Apple's stock instant-message program in Mac OS X is currently in its fourth release and has made steady improvements in competing with third-party chat programs to provide advanced functionality such as tabs, animated buddy icons, and utilities to assist the transfer of multiple files. At its heart, iChat is a dead simple way to connect with IM buddies on multiple networks including AIM, Google Talk, Jabber, and Bonjour. Missing, however, is support for other popular protocols such as Windows Live Messenger, IRC, and Yahoo Messenger.

Some of the standout features in the latest iteration of iChat include advanced video … Read more

Mibbit: IRC so easy, your mom could use it

Back before the days of Meebo Rooms and really great, full featured desktop instant-messaging applications there was IRC. Its group chat channels provided a place of entertainment, technical support, and one of the original vehicles for peer-to-peer file sharing.

Despite its utility, IRC tends to have a stigma as being difficult to get into, and a tool aimed mainly at advanced users. However, this weekend I've been using Mibbit (not to be confused with Ribbit), a delightfully simple approach to IRC that runs right in your browser--no special client required. For any newbie IRC users, this is a great way to get your foot in the door.

IRC nuts will be in love, as Mibbit lets you hop to all your usual servers and keep a hot list of your favorite channels to launch every time you sign on. Users can tweak the look and feel of Mibbit down to the coloring and fonts that are used.The entire experience is also tabbed, so depending on the width of your screen you can easily have 10 or more channels open and have several private conversations going without a hiccup. Even though it's Web based, the creators have built Mibbit with a generous amount of Ajax, meaning there will be no need to hit the refresh button to update the chat.

It also handles private messaging and ops controls similar to a desktop application with contextual menus that pop-down. It's a lot simpler than having to type in the right codes to set modes--something that traditionally makes IRC take a while to learn. Newbie users can also find rooms they might be interested in with a search tool that will let you see how many users are in each room as well as what IRC server it's on.

Site owners who want to stick Mibbit on their page can do so with some simple embed code that opens up straight to whatever channel they set. I've embedded one after the break. It's not as full featured as the version you can put on your site using an entire iFrame, but it should give you a taste. One thing you'll notice right off the bat is that it saves the last few lines of the room's conversation, which we've seen elsewhere on places such as Meebo Rooms and Yaplet--and can be immensely helpful in getting up to speed with what others are chatting about.

Hands-on: Facebook Chat

So far, Facebook Chat is indeed rolling out slowly. Of my 130-odd friends, only 5 show up Chat-ready, but more seem to be appearing as the hours tick by. At first, the limited list makes for an uncompelling experience, but as all Facebook users gain access, the experience will change. Imagine: stumbling across a old high school friend on Facebook and immediately engaging in conversation. (Or, worse, immediately finding all about your college ex's wonderful new life.)

The Facebook Chat Web app itself is easy and straightforward. Look to the bottom-right corner of an open Facebook browser window to … Read more

For Facebook Chat, a quiet and cautious Sunday debut

Facebook chose a Sunday afternoon, when much of the tech blogger corps was pleasantly enjoying real life (we can hope), to start rolling out its previously announced instant-messaging client. That's likely no coincidence: this is a major new feature for the social-networking site, and debuting it on a weekend afternoon probably ensured a smoother integration.

A Facebook employee told me in the days before the launch that it was "a big challenge" to get ready to roll out Facebook Chat to the site's 67 million members. Because of that, Facebook has opted for a gradual rollout … Read more

Why doesn't GM produce a 100 mpg car?

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 4, 2008, at 9 a.m. EDT, as GM's Bob Kruse will host a live chat on why automakers aren't making a 100 mpg car. The chat is open to the public at GMnext.com. Bob Kruse is GM's Executive Director of Global Vehicle Engineering Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Batteries, so should have some insight on the issue. We applaud his bravery for putting himself out there.

Digsby open to all, adds Twitter

Digsby, the application that lets you view your instant-message, e-mail, and social-network accounts through one interface, opened up to the public on Thursday. Download Digsby for Windows from CNET Download.com.

The application also has support for popular micro-blogging application Twitter and allows real-time audio and video chat across IM networks through a partnership with TokBox. Oh, and it now offers inline spell check. WooHoo!

Digsby first hit the scene in early February. It's still in beta, but now you don't need an invitation to use it.

Other applications that enable you to manage multiple IM accounts include … Read more

Wireless VoIP headset breaks desktop chains

For all the advances made in Internet telephony over the last decade, the hardware end of the business has lagged woefully behind. All too often we've seen things like retro corded handsets or other bizarre devices that would seem to keep a caller hopelessly tethered to the desktop.

Headset makers are coming up with some solutions that problem, however, with wireless headsets. First we saw a pair by Creative Labs at CES in January, and now Logitech has debuted a similar product, a 2.4GHz wireless stereo headset developed specifically for VoIP calls.

Not only does the "ClearChat PC Wireless&… Read more