GAIM: A Cross-Platform, Multi-Protocol Instant Messaging Client
Dave Aiello wrote, "Earlier this week, I decided I had enough of the AOL Instant Messenger Client for Linux because it seems to have developed font problems since I upgraded my laptop to Red Hat Linux 7.2. So, I started looking around at other instant messaging clients that could allow me to stay on AIM, and perhaps also provide support for other instant messaging protocols as well."
"I decided to look first at GAIM, an application written for the Gnome desktop on Linux that supports 'AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, IRC, Jabber, Napster, Zephyr, and Gadu-Gadu, all at once.' This program is truly excellent, and its IRC (Internet Relay Chat) support is an added bonus for those of us who work with OpenSource software. (A lot of OpenSource projects have on-going IRC discussions during the day for technical support.)"
"I was so satisfied with GAIM that I honestly never bothered to look at the other Linux IM clients."
"In an interesting coincidence, Slashdot is reporting that GAIM has just been released for Windows. (Note: It's an alpha release.) This is a great opportunity to get off the ad-driven IM clients of the Windows platform, and get on a stable OpenSource alternative that's bound to be well-supported."