Does Trillian do the job or should I stick with an old tried and true like yahoo messenger? I understand skype can have problems with Vista home and IE7 so am not sure I want to go that route.

Suggestions anyone?

Does Trillian do the job or should I stick with an old tried and true like yahoo messenger? I understand skype can have problems with Vista home and IE7 so am not sure I want to go that route.

Suggestions anyone?

I don't think Trillian can cope with video yet (at least it couldn't when I last used it).

Voipdiscount has worked well for me for audio (UK->TH).

Your best bet is most probably to install them all and see what works best for your particular setup lol.

Does Trillian do the job or should I stick with an old tried and true like yahoo messenger? I understand skype can have problems with Vista home and IE7 so am not sure I want to go that route.

Suggestions anyone?

Just installed Skype on Wind.Xp and it works great. Compliments from other parties on clarity.

Skype is stand alone so not sure why there would be a problem with IE7. I have Skype on Vista Home Premium but have never tried the video so can not comment on that - but for text and audio has worked fine.

Does Trillian do the job or should I stick with an old tried and true like yahoo messenger? I understand skype can have problems with Vista home and IE7 so am not sure I want to go that route.

Suggestions anyone?

Been using Skype video chat with IE7 for several months without any problems. Works well.

SL.

There are a number of issues to consider - first, the "utility value" of the system. By that I mean how useful is it to you, and that is driven by how many people in your peer group, friends, network, family, extended network, use a particular application.

I use MSN, Yahoo and Skype and this covers almost 99 per cent of people I want to contact. In terms of quality, MSN is adequate for most purposes and I like the way the cam / video screen is incorporated in the msn window (I wish yahoo would do the same) . Yahoo also works fine. Both systems are prone to freezing vids, and disconnects occasionally, but that's a function of your internet service and your other party’s connection, generally. Skype is out on its own and, in my opinion (Although a minority might not agree) in a class of its own, I have used Skype almost since its launch and have been impressed. It's reduced my phone bill dramatically and with over 200 contacts on Skype (both as Skype contacts and real telephone numbers) it is my default way of contacting a large number of friends. I use it countless times each day for business and social purposes.

Going back to the "utility" concept, at the request of a friend I recently installed CamFrog, video chat room, and while I find that the quality of the video is Ok, video chat rooms are not my thing, and very few of my friends are into them either, so Cam Frogs usefulness, or utility value, for me is pretty much zero.

There are loads of networking and video chat sites to choose from, seems like there is a new one every day.

My recommendation (And in MHO) install msn, yahoo, and Skype - promote the latter among your friends to build up the contact base) and they are likely to have msn / yahoo anyway. Then, if you must, find a specialist chat room / networking site that suits you particular needs (eg if you are young Thai 20 something CamFrog Thailand might work for you) and join that. Avoid a proliferation of sites.

Finally, when installing, delete the automatic upload of yahoo toolbars, msn toolbars, icons, widgets, and the like – for me they clutter up my desk top and applications, intrude by inviting me to view this item and that item, and detract from what I want the networking application to do – contact and chat with / see / speak to friends and colleagues. If you must, you can selectively add these later

I hope that helps, regards and compliments of the season

B

nothing comes close to Skype in voice clarity and video. IMHO.

Skype rox's!

Webcam VDO, sending files, Chat, live Talk

Munic, Auckland, Shetland Islands, Berlin, Bangkok, Nuremberg, Florence, Paris...and better than Mobil phone connection, no Problem !

nothing comes close to Skype in voice clarity and video. IMHO.

Have to agree. Skype is way better than others i have tried.

Informative post Batami, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions so comprehensively

I will be getting a higher speed connection soon, so think I will give Skype a try, hubby and I get awfully high phone bills when I go back to visit my family every year

I would go for Skype!

Several reasons but the main three are:

1. Skype is standalone and don't need a browser or something else!

2. Skype is the most secure because it use a P2P system without an logic behind of the splitting and it is therefor impossible to capture, analyse and read the submitted data, this applys for messages, calls and Video!

3. The excellent Sound and Video Quality!

No problem with Vista, XP, Server 2003 and Server 2008!

I would go for Skype!

Several reasons but the main three are:

1. Skype is standalone and don't need a browser or something else!

2. Skype is the most secure because it use a P2P system without an logic behind of the splitting and it is therefor impossible to capture, analyse and read the submitted data, this applys for messages, calls and Video!

3. The excellent Sound and Video Quality!

No problem with Vista, XP, Server 2003 and Server 2008!

Aye definately Skype, it only really falls down when it comes to the cost of call charges when using SkypeOUT but we are only talking peanuts anyway.