Web Based IM’s

September 17th, 2008 | by admin |

If you are looking for a way to connect to your favorite instant messaging network without having to install any kind of software on your computer you have certainly come to the right place.

We all know that instant messaging represents the most popular form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. This type of communication is generally possible through the use of appropriate client software that needs to be installed on computers connected over a network such as the Internet.

However, the necessity to boost cross-platform communication has recently generated a major need for instant messaging applications that could be used by anybody, independently of the operating system they were adopting and – more importantly – without the need to download and install anything on the computer.

In this mini-guide I have reviewed for you the most popular services that allow you to access your favorite instant messaging networks from any browser and any operating system, without the need to install software. At the end of the mini-guide you will also find a handy set of tables allowing you to easily compare all the different tools that have been featured here.

As always, you are more than welcome to suggest and revise our data through the comment section available at the bottom of the article.

MSN Web Messenger:
MSN Web Messenger lets you talk online and in real-time with friends and family using just a web browser! Use it on any shared computer – at school, at work, at a friend’s house or anywhere you can’t install the MSN Messenger software.

Website: webmessenger.msn.com

Yahoo! Web Messenger:
Yahoo! Web Messenger is the web-based version of the popular instant messaging client and protocol provided by Yahoo!. Yahoo! Web Messenger is free of charge and can be used with a generic “Yahoo! ID”, which also allows access to other Yahoo! services, such as Yahoo! Mail, where users can be automatically notified when they receive new email. Yahoo! Web Messenger also allows you to chat with friends on MSN.

Website: webmessenger.yahoo.com

Meebo:
Meebo is a cool cross-platform, multi-protocol, Ajax-based IM and presence awareness aggregator. The one-page application allows anyone on any computer platform to access and log in to Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, AOL IM and ICQ from one unique interface. Similar to desktop applications like Trillian and Gaim, Meebo provides a single buddy list that is automatically populated upon signing into the meebo web site. Free to use.

Website: www.meebo.com

Kool IM:
Kool IM is a web-based IM service that aggregates multiple messengers on one page – AIM, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber. Registered users can take advantage of managing their accounts and more. However, registration is not mandatory. Free to use.

Website: www.koolim.com

Easy Messenger:
Easy Messenger brings you the best free instant messenger service that runs entirely from your web browser. You can combine your MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo! and Jabber contacts into one solution. With the build-in RSS reader you are always up-to-date with your favorite RSS feeds. In order to use Easy Messenger you need to register to the site. Free to use.

Website: www.mijnmessenger.nl

IMunitive:
IMunitive is a web service that allows you to connect to the MSN instant messaging network and to Yahoo! IM network. IMunitive allows users to personalize their contacts list by adding details and creating groups. In the chat window, you can invite any buddy from a different IM network (e.g. while you are chatting with MSN buddy you can invite other buddy from Yahoo or AIM into the same chat session). IMunitive is free to use but requires users to open an account.

Website: www.imunitive.com

Tags: instant messengers, msn, Yahoo