Many Messengers - Do They Talk?

[jim evans]

I'm sure this isn't the most appropriate place to ask these questions
but I can't figure out where is.

I don't understand the relationship between all the different
"messengers." Before I went to XP I was using something called "MSN
Messenger" even though I don't use MSN. On XP I'm using something
called "Windows Messenger" that isn't identical but seems much the
same.

I am considering using a messenger utility to manage a small volunteer
support group. I will need to know they are on-line, and if so, to
communicate with them instantly.

I assume any person using MSN Messenger can hook up to any person
using Windows Messenger - right?

Can any person using AOL Instant Messenger hook up to anybody using
Windows Messenger?

I think there is yet another called by a three letter acronym.
Something like ICQ. And, maybe many more. Can all these talk to
each other or is this a tower of Babel?

If they can't talk to each other, which of these systems is most
widely used?

Will it do what I need?

Thanks for your help.

jim

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Jim,

Yes, it is a tower of Babel somewhat.

Firstly, for clarification, Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger do run on the same instant
messaging network (the .NET Messenger network), as such, they are completely compatible
(although some features require Windows XP to work or specific additions, text, voice and
file transfer are completely compatible through the versions).

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) runs on the AOL network, ICQ runs on the ICQ network, and Yahoo
Messenger runs on Yahoo's network. None of these clients can talk to one another at the
moment (AOL can't talk to ICQ, ICQ can't talk Yahoo, Yahoo can't talk to AOL, etc.).

Although there's been some initiatives over the years to get some type of IM standard, slowly
some interoptabilty is coming -- AOL actually owns ICQ, and has been slowly getting AIM and
ICQ together, and Microsoft recently inked a deal with AOL to "explore" interoptibility
options between .NET Messenger (Windows/MSN Messenger) and AOL.

You can of course run all the clients on your PC at once, there is however, a few
applications available that will allow you to connect to all of these networks at once
(instead of using a different client for each), such as Trillian -- http://www.trillian.cc.

As for the largest, I believe AOL still has #1 spot, primarily because they own ICQ and their
large AOL userbase, Windows/MSN Messenger is in #2 (around 101 million users last time I
checked) and Yahoo trailing somewhere under.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"jim evans" > wrote in message
...
>
> I'm sure this isn't the most appropriate place to ask these questions
> but I can't figure out where is.
>
> I don't understand the relationship between all the different
> "messengers." Before I went to XP I was using something called "MSN
> Messenger" even though I don't use MSN. On XP I'm using something
> called "Windows Messenger" that isn't identical but seems much the
> same.
>
> I am considering using a messenger utility to manage a small volunteer
> support group. I will need to know they are on-line, and if so, to
> communicate with them instantly.
>
> I assume any person using MSN Messenger can hook up to any person
> using Windows Messenger - right?
>
> Can any person using AOL Instant Messenger hook up to anybody using
> Windows Messenger?
>
> I think there is yet another called by a three letter acronym.
> Something like ICQ. And, maybe many more. Can all these talk to
> each other or is this a tower of Babel?
>
> If they can't talk to each other, which of these systems is most
> widely used?
>
> Will it do what I need?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> jim

[jim evans]

Thanks very much for your knowledgable, clear and thorough reply.

Since only the central manager needs to talk to the various support
people I will look into Trillian.

jim

On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 15:04:07 -0400, "Jonathan Kay [MVP]"
> wrote:

>Greetings Jim,
>
>Yes, it is a tower of Babel somewhat.
>
>Firstly, for clarification, Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger do run on the same instant
>messaging network (the .NET Messenger network), as such, they are completely compatible
>(although some features require Windows XP to work or specific additions, text, voice and
>file transfer are completely compatible through the versions).
>
>AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) runs on the AOL network, ICQ runs on the ICQ network, and Yahoo
>Messenger runs on Yahoo's network. None of these clients can talk to one another at the
>moment (AOL can't talk to ICQ, ICQ can't talk Yahoo, Yahoo can't talk to AOL, etc.).
>
>Although there's been some initiatives over the years to get some type of IM standard, slowly
>some interoptabilty is coming -- AOL actually owns ICQ, and has been slowly getting AIM and
>ICQ together, and Microsoft recently inked a deal with AOL to "explore" interoptibility
>options between .NET Messenger (Windows/MSN Messenger) and AOL.
>
>You can of course run all the clients on your PC at once, there is however, a few
>applications available that will allow you to connect to all of these networks at once
>(instead of using a different client for each), such as Trillian -- http://www.trillian.cc.
>
>As for the largest, I believe AOL still has #1 spot, primarily because they own ICQ and their
>large AOL userbase, Windows/MSN Messenger is in #2 (around 101 million users last time I
>checked) and Yahoo trailing somewhere under.
>____________________________________________
>Jonathan Kay
>Windows MVP, Messenger
>Associate Expert
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>
>"jim evans" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> I'm sure this isn't the most appropriate place to ask these questions
>> but I can't figure out where is.
>>
>> I don't understand the relationship between all the different
>> "messengers." Before I went to XP I was using something called "MSN
>> Messenger" even though I don't use MSN. On XP I'm using something
>> called "Windows Messenger" that isn't identical but seems much the
>> same.
>>
>> I am considering using a messenger utility to manage a small volunteer
>> support group. I will need to know they are on-line, and if so, to
>> communicate with them instantly.
>>
>> I assume any person using MSN Messenger can hook up to any person
>> using Windows Messenger - right?
>>
>> Can any person using AOL Instant Messenger hook up to anybody using
>> Windows Messenger?
>>
>> I think there is yet another called by a three letter acronym.
>> Something like ICQ. And, maybe many more. Can all these talk to
>> each other or is this a tower of Babel?
>>
>> If they can't talk to each other, which of these systems is most
>> widely used?
>>
>> Will it do what I need?
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>>
>> jim
>

[Christopher Fierro]

I have been playing with Trillian for about a month now, and have to say I
like alot. Mostly for the skinning features, contact rename feature, and
notification features (I can have a little sticky note blink by my clock
instead of a big taskbar blinking).
One weird thing happened however, you should be aware of. I had my wife
install Trillian at her work, and we were playing around with the Send
files, well, just like my Windows Messaging, it wouldn't work (firewall,
GNAT, etc), anywhoo, one morning I sign on, and lo and behold, every contact
on HER list, was now added to MY list, including MYSELF!? Additionally, she
now had a few contacts from my list, added to hers, one of her contacts got
me added to their list! Researching everything I could (MSN, Microsoft
Support, numerous virus scans, all clean on both sides), I didn't find any
recorded glitches in the .NET service, and can only assume it was ill-timed
bug with having Trillian, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger installed and
fooling around with the Send Files feature all at the same time. Since
then, she has uninstalled Trillian, and to the best of my knowledge, I'm the
only out of all of my contacts using it, and has been working without
incident.

Chris
"jim evans" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks very much for your knowledgable, clear and thorough reply.
>
> Since only the central manager needs to talk to the various support
> people I will look into Trillian.
>
> jim
>
> On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 15:04:07 -0400, "Jonathan Kay [MVP]"
> > wrote:
>
> >Greetings Jim,
> >
> >Yes, it is a tower of Babel somewhat.
> >
> >Firstly, for clarification, Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger do run on
the same instant
> >messaging network (the .NET Messenger network), as such, they are
completely compatible
> >(although some features require Windows XP to work or specific additions,
text, voice and
> >file transfer are completely compatible through the versions).
> >
> >AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) runs on the AOL network, ICQ runs on the ICQ
network, and Yahoo
> >Messenger runs on Yahoo's network. None of these clients can talk to one
another at the
> >moment (AOL can't talk to ICQ, ICQ can't talk Yahoo, Yahoo can't talk to
AOL, etc.).
> >
> >Although there's been some initiatives over the years to get some type of
IM standard, slowly
> >some interoptabilty is coming -- AOL actually owns ICQ, and has been
slowly getting AIM and
> >ICQ together, and Microsoft recently inked a deal with AOL to "explore"
interoptibility
> >options between .NET Messenger (Windows/MSN Messenger) and AOL.
> >
> >You can of course run all the clients on your PC at once, there is
however, a few
> >applications available that will allow you to connect to all of these
networks at once
> >(instead of using a different client for each), such as Trillian --
http://www.trillian.cc.
> >
> >As for the largest, I believe AOL still has #1 spot, primarily because
they own ICQ and their
> >large AOL userbase, Windows/MSN Messenger is in #2 (around 101 million
users last time I
> >checked) and Yahoo trailing somewhere under.
> >____________________________________________
> >Jonathan Kay
> >Windows MVP, Messenger
> >Associate Expert
> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> >Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> >
> >"jim evans" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >> I'm sure this isn't the most appropriate place to ask these questions
> >> but I can't figure out where is.
> >>
> >> I don't understand the relationship between all the different
> >> "messengers." Before I went to XP I was using something called "MSN
> >> Messenger" even though I don't use MSN. On XP I'm using something
> >> called "Windows Messenger" that isn't identical but seems much the
> >> same.
> >>
> >> I am considering using a messenger utility to manage a small volunteer
> >> support group. I will need to know they are on-line, and if so, to
> >> communicate with them instantly.
> >>
> >> I assume any person using MSN Messenger can hook up to any person
> >> using Windows Messenger - right?
> >>
> >> Can any person using AOL Instant Messenger hook up to anybody using
> >> Windows Messenger?
> >>
> >> I think there is yet another called by a three letter acronym.
> >> Something like ICQ. And, maybe many more. Can all these talk to
> >> each other or is this a tower of Babel?
> >>
> >> If they can't talk to each other, which of these systems is most
> >> widely used?
> >>
> >> Will it do what I need?
> >>
> >> Thanks for your help.
> >>
> >> jim
> >
>

[jim evans]

Did you report the incident to the developers of Trillian?

On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 15:13:01 -0600, "Christopher Fierro"
> wrote:

>I have been playing with Trillian for about a month now, and have to say I
>like alot. Mostly for the skinning features, contact rename feature, and
>notification features (I can have a little sticky note blink by my clock
>instead of a big taskbar blinking).
>One weird thing happened however, you should be aware of. I had my wife
>install Trillian at her work, and we were playing around with the Send
>files, well, just like my Windows Messaging, it wouldn't work (firewall,
>GNAT, etc), anywhoo, one morning I sign on, and lo and behold, every contact
>on HER list, was now added to MY list, including MYSELF!? Additionally, she
>now had a few contacts from my list, added to hers, one of her contacts got
>me added to their list! Researching everything I could (MSN, Microsoft
>Support, numerous virus scans, all clean on both sides), I didn't find any
>recorded glitches in the .NET service, and can only assume it was ill-timed
>bug with having Trillian, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger installed and
>fooling around with the Send Files feature all at the same time. Since
>then, she has uninstalled Trillian, and to the best of my knowledge, I'm the
>only out of all of my contacts using it, and has been working without
>incident.
>
>Chris
>"jim evans" > wrote in message
...
>> Thanks very much for your knowledgable, clear and thorough reply.
>>
>> Since only the central manager needs to talk to the various support
>> people I will look into Trillian.
>>
>> jim
>>
>> On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 15:04:07 -0400, "Jonathan Kay [MVP]"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >Greetings Jim,
>> >
>> >Yes, it is a tower of Babel somewhat.
>> >
>> >Firstly, for clarification, Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger do run on
>the same instant
>> >messaging network (the .NET Messenger network), as such, they are
>completely compatible
>> >(although some features require Windows XP to work or specific additions,
>text, voice and
>> >file transfer are completely compatible through the versions).
>> >
>> >AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) runs on the AOL network, ICQ runs on the ICQ
>network, and Yahoo
>> >Messenger runs on Yahoo's network. None of these clients can talk to one
>another at the
>> >moment (AOL can't talk to ICQ, ICQ can't talk Yahoo, Yahoo can't talk to
>AOL, etc.).
>> >
>> >Although there's been some initiatives over the years to get some type of
>IM standard, slowly
>> >some interoptabilty is coming -- AOL actually owns ICQ, and has been
>slowly getting AIM and
>> >ICQ together, and Microsoft recently inked a deal with AOL to "explore"
>interoptibility
>> >options between .NET Messenger (Windows/MSN Messenger) and AOL.
>> >
>> >You can of course run all the clients on your PC at once, there is
>however, a few
>> >applications available that will allow you to connect to all of these
>networks at once
>> >(instead of using a different client for each), such as Trillian --
>http://www.trillian.cc.
>> >
>> >As for the largest, I believe AOL still has #1 spot, primarily because
>they own ICQ and their
>> >large AOL userbase, Windows/MSN Messenger is in #2 (around 101 million
>users last time I
>> >checked) and Yahoo trailing somewhere under.
>> >____________________________________________
>> >Jonathan Kay
>> >Windows MVP, Messenger
>> >Associate Expert
>> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> >Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> >
>> >"jim evans" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >>
>> >> I'm sure this isn't the most appropriate place to ask these questions
>> >> but I can't figure out where is.
>> >>
>> >> I don't understand the relationship between all the different
>> >> "messengers." Before I went to XP I was using something called "MSN
>> >> Messenger" even though I don't use MSN. On XP I'm using something
>> >> called "Windows Messenger" that isn't identical but seems much the
>> >> same.
>> >>
>> >> I am considering using a messenger utility to manage a small volunteer
>> >> support group. I will need to know they are on-line, and if so, to
>> >> communicate with them instantly.
>> >>
>> >> I assume any person using MSN Messenger can hook up to any person
>> >> using Windows Messenger - right?
>> >>
>> >> Can any person using AOL Instant Messenger hook up to anybody using
>> >> Windows Messenger?
>> >>
>> >> I think there is yet another called by a three letter acronym.
>> >> Something like ICQ. And, maybe many more. Can all these talk to
>> >> each other or is this a tower of Babel?
>> >>
>> >> If they can't talk to each other, which of these systems is most
>> >> widely used?
>> >>
>> >> Will it do what I need?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for your help.
>> >>
>> >> jim
>> >
>>
>