Testing ICQ Web Clients

Hello.
I don’t know why, but I was always attracted by the dominance of web applications over desktop ones. Probably because it is the future, and everyone loves the future and someone wants to try it now. I think that after 10 years (or even earlier) on the computer, the average user will have something like Chrome OS and work as a terminal. We will see. Now, when I print this article in Google Docs, listen to music through Google Music and get distracted by messages from Imo.im, I will be glad for such an outcome of events. For myself, in web applications, I see three main advantages: mobility (quick start anytime, anywhere) and specific resource requirements (memory comes first) and simplicity.

List of ICQ-clients participating in the review


1. Imo
2. Meebo
3. IM +
4. eBuddy
5. Trillian
6. Qnext
7. Tjat
8. KoolIM
9. ILoveIM
10. Icq2Go

Why review ICQ clients? Yes, because this question remained open for me for a long time, I was looking for something special, tried everything, determined and determined. And now in order.

1. Imo


image

The official site .
Messenger from one of the former employees of Google. In addition to text messages, it allows you to create video and audio chats, as well as transfer files. There is support for multiple accounts, works with protocols Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, Facebook, ICQ, Jabber, Myspace, Hyves, Vkontakte and Steam. There is a nice design, convenient and concise interface. Message history is stored on the server (encrypted), which may not appeal to everyone.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of
imagecharge No ads
imageVideo and audio chats
imageSupport for protocols popular in the Russian Federation
imageNice design
imageStoring message history on the server
imageNotification of a message by an animation of the browser tab (Google Chrome)
imageNotification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome)
imageEncryption of data encryption
imageRussian localization
imageNo ability to view contact information
imageNo additional statuses
imageRare problems with authorization of new users

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .

2. Meebo


image
The official site .
Provides access to a great many protocols that are little known to the average Russian user. It is worth highlighting AIM, Yahoo !, MSN, Google Talk, Facebook, MySpace, ICQ, XMPP. Here, as in Imo, communication with contacts takes place through a system of windows, but things are worse with the design (it is difficult to call a site ugly, but you can find a number of shortcomings that will catch the eye of any beginning designer). History is saved on the server. But at the bottom of the page, at times, a wide banner annoys with intrusive advertising, which is undoubtedly bad.

image Pros and cons of the client:
imageFree
imagePossibility to view contact information
imagePossibility to create widgets
imageStoring message history on the server
imageData protection by encryption
imageAdvertising
imageLack of additional statuses

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .

3. IM +



The official site .
An easy-to-use messenger that, apart from the web, has spread widely to almost all popular mobile platforms: Java, Symbian, WP, Android, iOS, BlackBerry and WebOs. Among the protocols are MSN Live Messenger, Facebook, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, MySpace, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber, Yandex, Vkontakte and Mail.ru. The last three have appeared recently, which hints at attracting a Russian audience. Design pleases. There is a small opportunity to customize the interface (windows or tabs, compact or ordinary look - you decide). There is some similarity with Imo.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of
imagecharge No ads
imageNice design
imageInterface settings
imagePop-up notification (Google Chrome)
imageMessage notification via browser tab animation (Google Chrome)
imageStorage of message history on the server
imageData protection with encryption
imageNo additional statuses
imageNo ability to view contact information
imageDistorted encoding from some messages

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .

4. eBuddy



The official site .
The first thing that immediately catches your eye when entering the site is the abundance of advertising, the second is 17 localizations and the absence of the Russian language, the third is the ban on sending messages to offline contacts. But the messages that go away in the html-tags from the sender and the incoming krakozyabras are not immediately apparent. The site claims support for Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, Hyves, ICQ, Google Talk, MySpace and Facebook (ICQ didn’t work for me today, went through AIM, but flew out right away; maybe there are problems with other protocols). Another bad thing is the lack of history, but everything is beautiful with the interface, convenient tabs and a nice look and a lot of smiles.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of
imagecharge Nice design (with cut ads)
imageInterface customization
imageNotification of message by browser tab animation (Google Chrome)
imageNotification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome)
imageAdditional emoticons
imageAdvertising
imageProhibition of sending messages to offline contacts
imageDistorted encoding from some messages
imageTags in sent messages
imageNo history messages on the server (on a free account)
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses
imageLack of encryption

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .

5. Trillian



The official site .
An unusual messenger with a very interesting, slightly futuristic window interface, where the inscription “Good Evening # username #>!” And a gloomy background are on the top in the 35th font. With the rapid movement of the windows, their braking is noticeable. There are very few settings, but there is the Russian language (though not completely) and support for multiple accounts with many protocols; The list is identical to Imo.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree
imageDesign (subjectively, of course, but it has something)
imageRussian localization
imageAdvertising
imageSmall performance problems
imageLack of message history on the server (on a free account)
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses
imageLack of encryption

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .

6. Qnext



The official site .
Another client with their strange design features. After entering the login and password, the user will see the image of the smartphone. The program window is located in the display area. Despite such an unhealthy idea (thanks to the mobile compact interface) it is very convenient to use it. It supports all the same protocols as all of the above messengers, it can also work with multiple accounts, but there is no possibility of transferring files.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of charge
imageLack of advertising
imageEase of design
imageData protection with encryption
imageLack of message history on the server (on a free account)
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .

7. Tjat




The official site .
A messenger that differs noticeably from all the others in its simplicity and minimalism, from a technical point of view. The client recalls the beginning of the 21st century (when web applications began to appear), because this is extremely untimely. Messages come after refreshing the page ( where to go in Moscow ) and have to reap, wait, reap ... In general, Ajax technology does not smell here, any action leads to page refresh (I am glad that this happens quickly because of the small size). You can log in via Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Facebook and ICQ.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of
imagecharge Lack of advertising
imageStoring message history on the server
imageRussian localization
imageSupport for old browsers
imageLack of design
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses
imageLack of encryption

image Screenshots
Unfortunately, when after writing this article I wanted to take screenshots, the site did not let me in, saying: “You have reached your access limit” (the situation repeated with the proxy), and I was left without screenshots.

8. KoolIM




The official site .
The similarity of Imo and Meebo, two, three years behind in development. The same protocols, but a dull and not modern design. Low functionality. It is distinguished from analogues by the presence of a WYSIWYG editor in the chat, that is, the recipient sees the text formatted as much as the sender wanted to see it - a rather rare opportunity among web instant messengers.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of
imagecharge Lack of advertising
imageWYSIWYG editor
imageDull design
imageDistorted encoding from some messages
imageLack of message history on the server
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses
imageLack of encryption

image Screenshots
1 , 2 .

9. ILoveIM



The official site .
It’s dangerous to enter here without baner cutting, so immediately three billboards attack the browser. And it repels. In addition, nothing outstanding messenger shows. Minimum protocols, minimum options. There is a WYSIWYG editor, but it is only for customization: the person on that end will not see the formatting. It is possible to create video and audio chats.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree
imageStorage of message history on the server
imageVideo and audio chats
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses
imageLack of encryption

image Screenshots
1 , 2 .

10. Icq2Go




The official site .
And lastly, the official ICQ web client. One of the leaders of the review, and even it does not include support for additional statuses (this is some kind of critical illness of such applications). The design in the spirit of the desktop version of ICQ is pleasing to the eye: the tabbed interface is made with a bang, everywhere there are neat icons, smooth animation. The news feed is an exceptional feature of Icq2Go, it includes statuses that, for example, can be commented on, but I have never seen the use of this function in my entire long list. In addition to the main protocol, support for Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Youtube is included; in the news feed, you can follow their updates.

image Pros and cons of the client
imageFree of
imagecharge Lack of advertising
imageNice design
imageNews feed
imageLack of message history on the server
imageLack of ability to view contact information
imageLack of additional statuses
imageLack of encryption

image Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 , 4 .

Each web client has its own pluses and minuses, and I just showed part of them in this review. The choice is yours.


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