Messaging and e-mail

Instant messaging (IM) and chat are technologies that facilitate near real-time text based communication between two or more participants over a network. One way to talk with people on each one of these networks is to open an account for each and then download and install each IM client on your computer.

Running many different IM applications on your computer uses a lot of system resources, is difficult to manage, and broadens your attack surface. Therefore recommended using a multi-protocol IM client. These applications not only allow you to connect to multiple IM networks, but they are also advertisement free, more secure, and have features that allow you to easily manage your various IM accounts.

It is important to understand that what separates chat and instant messaging from technologies such as e-mail is the perceived synchronicity of the communication by the user - chat happens in real-time before your eyes.

E-mail, short for electronic mail and often abbreviated to e-mail, email or simply mail, is a store-and-forward method of composing, sending, receiving and storing messages over electronic communication systems.

Email programs today are a much more sophisticated than they used to be. In addition to simply sending and receiving email, they now can manage your contacts and calendar, read news groups and RSS newsfeeds, and even integrate with various web-based mail systems like GMail and Hotmail. MS Outlook revolutionized email and made it more user friendly, but there are now programs available that don't add bloat to your system and are much more secure.

Miranda IM is an open-source multi protocol instant messenger client for Microsoft Windows.

R&Q is a little, simple and fast instant messaging client for the ICQ protocol, fork of Rejetto's &RQ.

Skype is a software program that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet.

Thunderbird is a great email client from the same people who brought you the Firefox browser.

QIP Infium is a one of the most popular multi-protocol freeware instant messengers.

Raidcall is a free, low-latency voice solution for group communication while gaming.

ICQ is a program that allows users to send each other instant messages via the Internet.

QIP 2005 is an instant messaging client with support of ICQ and experimental support of AIM.

Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log in to accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously.

Windows Live Messenger is program for instant messaging with a lot of many interesting and useful possibilities.

QIP 2010 is a small, multifunctional client for online communication with many interesting functions.

Foxmail is freeware utility for handling e-mails, providing a plenty of additional functions.

Mail.ru Агент will help you to stay in touch with your old friends and make new acquaintances.

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is a free online service the easiest real-time communication with family & friends.

SeaMonkey consists of a web browser, an e-mail and news client, an HTML editor and an IRC client.

ooVoo helps you free connect with your friends and family with high-quality video and sound.

Trillian is a communications tool that includes a huge number of features to enhance your IM experience.

Digsby is utility for IM exchange, working with e-mails and socializing in social networks.