All in One web messenger!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Now, users can enjoy this kind of multi-im thing with few softwares too like Trillian or they can simply use this service and need not worry about downloading softwares.
The service I am talking about is Meebo.
Interface : The interface of Meebo is clean and simple. It is another online service which is relying heavily on AJAX. In the starting itself it allows users to login in to different services and users can try this service without worrying of creating the account in meebo. And then it provides you with an IM screen inside that window and the messneger windows and all of them are drag and drop anywhere in that particular area.
The good thing about interface is that it gives you the feeling that you are working on a desktop and working on an usual messenger.
Features : Well, the good thing about the service is that they have tried to incorporate the major features which an IM can provide and have got success too but still it needs lot of improvement and i'll mention some of them too which I noticed, but this service is in BETA phase so we can expect those changes as well. well, the features are :
* Instant Messaging to multiple networks, as I've mentioned before that it works on 5 type of networks which are provided by very few desktop programs.
* Got Chat logs - it has got chat logs and it stores all the chat logs and which are accessible globally as it is not stored in a local computer, it is stored on the server.
* Lets you try the service without signup. The only demerit in that is that it will not save the chat logs.
* Gives sound notification as well as flashes the message in the status bar when an IM is recieved.
* Allows users to login in Invisible mode while logging in.
* Clean interface - For more info on Clean Interface Read the Interface section. I hope you must have already read that ;)
* Passwords are encrypted with 1024-bit RSA keys.
And here are some areas which needs improvement :
* MSN doesnt allow messaging in invisible mode and thus stops you from messaging any one by giving the notification of the same but in this we dont get any notification..it will seem that message is going to the person but the person will not get the messages.
* Took some time to load the Google talk buddy list. Rather more time than ususal - now it happened only one time so can be glitch which might have occured for a while only.
* It plays sound on every IM received even if person is active in the window - the option of playing sound must be only when the window is inactive.
* Has no ability to change the display name or avatar.
* When we choose a custom status message..it shows staus as AWAY FROM COMPUTER in MSN. I displays the message too but it doesnt give the oppourtinity to select wheather the custom message is in which mode, online, busy or away mode.
* Doesnt support voice chat & webcam :p - well, I know it will be foolish to expect anything like that from a webbased service but it is human nature which never gets satisfied :)
Well, these are some of the areas in which it needs improvement but even if they are not fixed (unlikely) it is a very good service especially for those who are not at their computer and want to converse with their buddy and the other computer doesnt have any messenger installed.
Ease Of Use : Meebo is simple and easy to use and thats all what comes to my mind after all this. And cant explain it better.
Value : One word - Priceless ;)
Rating : 4 Dinos out of 5
Product Reviewed : Meebo (beta) - http://www.meebo.com
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2 Comments:
commented by Lucas, 4:46 PM
thanks lucas for the comments!
I understand that this provides the basic IM facility and it still doesnt support file sending, nudging, games etc. but their main motive is to provide basic chat service and covering almost major services and they've already done that....it is usefull when you are in a place where you cant download or install the messengers and you just want to chat :)
I understand that this provides the basic IM facility and it still doesnt support file sending, nudging, games etc. but their main motive is to provide basic chat service and covering almost major services and they've already done that....it is usefull when you are in a place where you cant download or install the messengers and you just want to chat :)
I think there is one little thing in your review which must be corrected. The fact that you cannot send messages in invisible mode for msn is due to the fact that msn blocks this kind of stuff. In the real msn msn messenger you can not do this also so i think msn needs to change for this to work.
Hear from you soon,
Lucas