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Linux Instant Messengers
mrAshley writes "This article talks specifically about the antiquated state of the even the best Linux instant messenging software, and generally about the need for software developers to be mindful of younger people, as their social attitudes towards software are going to be much more influential in than any moral or financial consideration.
Simply put - People are communal. Don't make a person who wants to use Linux have to leave behind a method or style of communication."
Summary:
Gosh, I really hate the Windows Messenger 7 UI. It's so ugly. I'm going to say something unsubstantiated about vendor lock-in here and never mention it again, because I want to sound hip to teh Lunix.
Everybody in the entire continent of Europe uses MSN Messenger and most of us just call it -- wait for it -- MSN!
Did you know that Gaim sucks? Look at Firefox and Openoffice.org! Those are much cooler than Gaim. Did you know that ten year olds won't use Gaim because it isn't flashy enough? Lol gaim is so ugly!
Kthx.
--Stéphane Rieppi lives in Belgium and is majoring in sociology at the University of Liège. He has a strong passion for Free and Open Source computing and is working on a thesis about Free and Open Source software seen from a sociological viewpoint.
We recently had heard in the office over one of the Yellow Machine that's made by Anthology Solutions.
I thought "Funny. I haven't seen much inflammatory bullshit recently. I wonder if OSnews have got back into gear again."
Then I noticed the link. Brilliant.
Malike Bamiyi wanted my assistance.
When I was in high school, while discussing music with a foreign exchange student, she announced: "In France, we call Bruce Springsteen 'The Boss'".
I am not a crackpot.
Score one big one for Gaim! That's more than a "don't need", that's a "don't want".
TWW
"Encyclopedia" is to "Wikipedia" what "Library" is to "Some people at a bus stop"
I can hear it now (apologies to any elderly nerdettes out there):
./configure; make, sudo to root, then make install.
"Grandma, simply unpack the tarball, run
C'mon, don't unpack it in your home directory! Don't you store all of your source-built apps somewhere?
No, Grandma, you forgot to install the header packages for GTK. But it's so easy! Why do you have to make this so difficult?!
Fine. Go watch your stories. I'll have it finished by the time Matlock is over."
Screw all this fancy IM and IRC crap! talk forever!
$ talk
Usage: talk user [ttyname]
Ok, I have used Trillian, MSM, YIM, AOL, ICQ AND GAIM (on BOTH platforms)... I have accounts in all FOUR of the "big IM" systems. So for me, it is simply a choice of Gaim or Trillian.
:) No hard feelings right? ;-) )
Trillian is good, not free (well the 'OK' version is), it allows all accounts to run through it... But, it doesn't come with an integrated spell checker for the "free" version, fine, pay for it right? No... It's pretty but still too "glamorous" as far as I care.
Personally, I can NOT STAND the advertisement BS that comes with MSM, YIM, AIM and ICQ. They SUCK as far as my opinion goes. In addition they don't have all the features that Gaim and Trillian come with.... (multiple accounts, spell checker, NO ADS, etc.)
So, GAIM ROCKS!!!! I use it at home on my linux systems and on my windows systems at work. In addition I have it installed on my USB key so that I don't have to be without IM anywhere I go. It stores all logs on the key and I have it working with both linux and windows off the key. How cool is that??? (also have Thunderbird and Firefox on it as well)
So, Gaim...
o Spell checker
o No Adds
o Simple yet POWEFUL interface that works with ALL FOUR of my accounts
Sure it doesn't have those "sissy", "GUI-Skins" and Advertisements that the author apparently likes, but as far as I am concerned... Simple, complete, powerful... GAIM (for windows AND linux) Top THAT bitch!!!
I am so tired of... "well linux doesn't have a pretty this or a fancy that..."
Then DON'T use it. Shut up and go back to your windows box or worse your Mac... (sorry mac fans, I'm in rant mode, I know plenty of fine Mac users.
From TFA:
What happens when the corporation anybody seems to love to hate, namely Microsoft, release a killer app and of makes it free (as in dollars), but, of course, keeps its source jealously closed? And worse than that, use it to maintain a strong lock-in to the Windows platform?
OSNews: We don't need no stinkin' editors!
this is why i hate mac users, everything is "i love this", "i love that", "very nice", i like more the linux way.
You just proved that the average American is far less informed since you obviously think "Europe" is comparable with the US. Europe is over 50 countries - all of them have different languages/schools/finances/people. How can one person from one country represent the society of European NATIONS! No, it's not like the US states at all.
I never understand how we can't remain on topic when it concerns the difficulty of Linux installations. Instead of focusing on the problems of Linux, we are led into a whole other discussion about its security features. Yes, we all realize that Linux has a more secure list of "safe" software and has a better software installation procedure (with its package managers only). That doesn't negate the fact that many people want to go outside of the box (and their sources list) and install new software that hasn't been whitelisted and packaged for their distro (yet or ever). Once you require this and you are a linux novice, you are screwed. Security is great, but what good is that if you can't install the software you want without spending hours on some forum with a bunch of other confused users with different configurations and non-universal setups? There is absolutely no reason for this. Linux *could* copy the windows intaller model add a sudo password requirement dialog (just like when you use a package manager), and automate the installation process no matter what distro is being used. Linux could do this, but it doesn't. Installing a package from source is no different from downloading an installer from the internet concerning security. There IS a big difference however to the novice computer user: In Windows they can actually install their desired program, in Linux they are mystified. Linux is great for people that need the internet, office, email etc. But for "power users" that are not programming pros, linux is a nightmare when they start adding and customizing and upgrading and tweaking and so forth. Linux has the security thing down. But software for linux needs to be universal across distros and easy to install. You know it, I know it, and so do 98% of desktop users that don't use Linux.
I think, therefore I doh.
I like the "thank $DEITY" part, but on my system $DEITY = '\0' so it doesn't evaluate very well. Maybe some exception handling code should be thrown in.
Furry cows moo and decompress.