Testing ICQ Web Clients
Hello.
I do not know why, but I was always attracted by the dominance of web applications over desktop. Probably because this is the future, and everyone loves the future and someone wants to try it now. I think that in 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, printing this article in Google Docs, listening to music through Google Music and being distracted by messages from Imo.im, I will be happy for this outcome. For myself in web applications, I see three main advantages: mobility (quick start anytime, anywhere) and specific demands on resources (memory comes first) and simplicity.
1. Imo
2. Meebo
3. IM +
4. eBuddy
5. Trillian
6. Qnext
7. Tjat
8. KoolIM
9. ILoveIM
10. Icq2Go
Why review ICQ clients? Because this question remained for a long time open to me, I was looking for something special, tried everything, determined and decided. And now in order.
')
Official site .
Messenger from one of the former employees of Google. In addition to text messages, it allows you to create video and audio chat rooms, as well as transfer files. There is support for multiple accounts, works with the protocols Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, Facebook, ICQ, Jabber, Myspace, Hyves, Vkontakte and Steam. There is a nice design, user-friendly and concise interface. The message history is stored on the server (encrypted), which may not please everyone.
Free
No ads
Video and audio chat
Support for popular protocols in the Russian Federation
Nice design
Storing the message history on the server
Notification message about animation browser tabs (Google Chrome)
Notification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome)
Data encryption
Russian localization
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Rare authorization problems for new users
1 , 2 , 3 .
Official site .
Provides access to a great variety of 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 window system, but the design is worse (it’s difficult to call the site ugly, but you can find a number of flaws that catch the eye of any novice designer). History is stored on the server. But at the bottom of the page from time to time a wide banner is annoying with intrusive advertising, which is undoubtedly bad.
Free
Ability to view contact information
The ability to create widgets
Storing the message history on the server
Data encryption
Advertising
No additional statuses
1 , 2 , 3 .
Official site .
An easy-to-use instant messenger, which besides the web, has spread widely to almost all popular mobile platforms: Java, Symbian, WP, Android, iOS, BlackBerry and WebOs. Among the protocols 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 regular view - you decide). There is some similarity with Imo.
Free
No ads
Nice design
Ability to customize the interface
Notification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome)
Notification message about animation browser tabs (Google Chrome)
Storing the message history on the server
Data encryption
No additional statuses
The inability to view contact information
Warped encoding from part of messages
1 , 2 , 3 .
Official site .
The first thing that immediately catches the eye when entering the site is an abundance of advertising, the second is 17 localizations and the absence of the Russian language, the third is a ban on sending messages offline to contacts. But not immediately noticeable messages that go in html-tags from the sender and coming krakozyabry. The site claims support for Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, Hyves, ICQ, Google Talk, MySpace and Facebook (ICQ did not work for me today, I went through AIM, but I flew right away; maybe there are problems with other protocols). Another bad thing is the lack of history, but with the interface everything is beautiful, convenient tabs and a nice look and lots of smiles.
Free
Nice design (with cut advertising)
Ability to customize the interface
Notification message about animation browser tabs (Google Chrome)
Notification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome)
Additional smilies
Advertising
Ban on sending messages to offline contacts
Warped encoding from part of messages
Tags in sent messages
Lack of history of messages on the server (on a free account)
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Lack of encryption
1 , 2 , 3 .
Official site .
Unusual messenger with a very interesting, slightly futuristic window interface, where on top of the 35th font is the inscription “Good Evening # username #>!” And a gloomy background. With the rapid movement of the windows noticeable inhibition. There are very few settings, but there is Russian (though not fully) and support for several accounts with multiple protocols; The list is identical to Imo.
Free
Design (subjectively of course, but there is something in it)
Russian localization
Advertising
Minor performance issues
Lack of history of messages on the server (on a free account)
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Lack of encryption
1 , 2 , 3 .
Official site .
Another customer with their own strange features in the field of design. After entering the username and password, the user will see the image of the smartphone. In the display area and the program window is located. 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 the above messengers, it can also work with multiple accounts, only there is no possibility of transferring files.
Free
No ads
Simplicity of design
Data encryption
Lack of history of messages on the server (on a free account)
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
1 , 2 , 3 .
Official site .
Messenger, which is markedly different from all the others by its simplicity and minimalism, from a technical point of view. The client reminds of the beginning of the 21st century (when web applications started to appear), because this is extremely inconsistent. Messages come after updating the page ( where to go in Moscow ) and have to press, wait, press ... In general, Ajax technology does not smell here, any action leads to updating the page (glad that because of its small size, this happens quickly). You can log in through Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Facebook and ICQ.
Free
No ads
Storing the message history on the server
Russian localization
Old browsers support
Lack of design
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Lack of encryption
Unfortunately, when after writing this article I wanted to make screenshots, the site did not let me go, saying: “You have reached your access limit” (the situation repeated with the proxy), and I was left without screenshots.
Official site .
The similarity of Imo and Meebo, lagging behind in development for two, three years. The same protocols, but dull and not modern design. Low functionality. It differs from its analogues in the presence of a WYSIWYG editor in the chat, I mean the recipient will see the text formatted as much as the sender wanted it to be - a rather rare possibility among web messengers.
Free
No ads
WYSIWYG editor
Dull design
Warped encoding from part of messages
No message history on server
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Lack of encryption
1 , 2 .
Official site .
It is dangerous to enter here without a banner cutter, as soon as three billboards attack the browser. And it repels. In addition, the messenger does not show anything outstanding. Minimum protocols, minimum options. There is a WYSIWYG editor, but it is only for customization: the person at that end will not see the formatting. It is possible to create video and audio chat.
Free
Storing the message history on the server
Video and audio chat
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Lack of encryption
1 , 2 .
Official site .
And lastly, the official web client ICQ. 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). Pleases the eye with the design in the spirit of the desktop version of ICQ: the tab-based interface is made with a bang, everywhere 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.
Free
No ads
Nice design
news feed
No message history on server
The inability to view contact information
No additional statuses
Lack of encryption
1 , 2 , 3 , 4 .
Each web client has its own advantages and disadvantages, and I just showed a part of them in this review. The choice is yours.
I do not know why, but I was always attracted by the dominance of web applications over desktop. Probably because this is the future, and everyone loves the future and someone wants to try it now. I think that in 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, printing this article in Google Docs, listening to music through Google Music and being distracted by messages from Imo.im, I will be happy for this outcome. For myself in web applications, I see three main advantages: mobility (quick start anytime, anywhere) and specific demands on resources (memory comes first) and simplicity.
List of ICQ-clients who participated 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? Because this question remained for a long time open to me, I was looking for something special, tried everything, determined and decided. And now in order.
1. Imo
')
Official site .
Messenger from one of the former employees of Google. In addition to text messages, it allows you to create video and audio chat rooms, as well as transfer files. There is support for multiple accounts, works with the protocols Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, Facebook, ICQ, Jabber, Myspace, Hyves, Vkontakte and Steam. There is a nice design, user-friendly and concise interface. The message history is stored on the server (encrypted), which may not please everyone.
Pros and cons of the client
Free No ads Video and audio chat Support for popular protocols in the Russian Federation Nice design Storing the message history on the server Notification message about animation browser tabs (Google Chrome) Notification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome) Data encryption Russian localization The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Rare authorization problems for new users
Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .2. Meebo
Official site .
Provides access to a great variety of 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 window system, but the design is worse (it’s difficult to call the site ugly, but you can find a number of flaws that catch the eye of any novice designer). History is stored on the server. But at the bottom of the page from time to time a wide banner is annoying with intrusive advertising, which is undoubtedly bad.
Pros and cons of the client:
Free Ability to view contact information The ability to create widgets Storing the message history on the server Data encryption Advertising No additional statuses Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .3. IM +
Official site .
An easy-to-use instant messenger, which besides the web, has spread widely to almost all popular mobile platforms: Java, Symbian, WP, Android, iOS, BlackBerry and WebOs. Among the protocols 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 regular view - you decide). There is some similarity with Imo.
Pros and cons of the client
Free No ads Nice design Ability to customize the interface Notification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome) Notification message about animation browser tabs (Google Chrome) Storing the message history on the server Data encryption No additional statuses The inability to view contact information Warped encoding from part of messages Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .4. eBuddy
Official site .
The first thing that immediately catches the eye when entering the site is an abundance of advertising, the second is 17 localizations and the absence of the Russian language, the third is a ban on sending messages offline to contacts. But not immediately noticeable messages that go in html-tags from the sender and coming krakozyabry. The site claims support for Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, Hyves, ICQ, Google Talk, MySpace and Facebook (ICQ did not work for me today, I went through AIM, but I flew right away; maybe there are problems with other protocols). Another bad thing is the lack of history, but with the interface everything is beautiful, convenient tabs and a nice look and lots of smiles.
Pros and cons of the client
Free Nice design (with cut advertising) Ability to customize the interface Notification message about animation browser tabs (Google Chrome) Notification in the form of a pop-up window (Google Chrome) Additional smilies Advertising Ban on sending messages to offline contacts Warped encoding from part of messages Tags in sent messages Lack of history of messages on the server (on a free account) The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Lack of encryption Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .5. Trillian
Official site .
Unusual messenger with a very interesting, slightly futuristic window interface, where on top of the 35th font is the inscription “Good Evening # username #>!” And a gloomy background. With the rapid movement of the windows noticeable inhibition. There are very few settings, but there is Russian (though not fully) and support for several accounts with multiple protocols; The list is identical to Imo.
Pros and cons of the client
Free Design (subjectively of course, but there is something in it) Russian localization Advertising Minor performance issues Lack of history of messages on the server (on a free account) The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Lack of encryption Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .6. Qnext
Official site .
Another customer with their own strange features in the field of design. After entering the username and password, the user will see the image of the smartphone. In the display area and the program window is located. 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 the above messengers, it can also work with multiple accounts, only there is no possibility of transferring files.
Pros and cons of the client
Free No ads Simplicity of design Data encryption Lack of history of messages on the server (on a free account) The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 .7. Tjat
Official site .
Messenger, which is markedly different from all the others by its simplicity and minimalism, from a technical point of view. The client reminds of the beginning of the 21st century (when web applications started to appear), because this is extremely inconsistent. Messages come after updating the page ( where to go in Moscow ) and have to press, wait, press ... In general, Ajax technology does not smell here, any action leads to updating the page (glad that because of its small size, this happens quickly). You can log in through Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Facebook and ICQ.
Pros and cons of the client
Free No ads Storing the message history on the server Russian localization Old browsers support Lack of design The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Lack of encryption Screenshots
Unfortunately, when after writing this article I wanted to make screenshots, the site did not let me go, saying: “You have reached your access limit” (the situation repeated with the proxy), and I was left without screenshots.8. KoolIM
Official site .
The similarity of Imo and Meebo, lagging behind in development for two, three years. The same protocols, but dull and not modern design. Low functionality. It differs from its analogues in the presence of a WYSIWYG editor in the chat, I mean the recipient will see the text formatted as much as the sender wanted it to be - a rather rare possibility among web messengers.
Pros and cons of the client
Free No ads WYSIWYG editor Dull design Warped encoding from part of messages No message history on server The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Lack of encryption Screenshots
1 , 2 .9. ILoveIM
Official site .
It is dangerous to enter here without a banner cutter, as soon as three billboards attack the browser. And it repels. In addition, the messenger does not show anything outstanding. Minimum protocols, minimum options. There is a WYSIWYG editor, but it is only for customization: the person at that end will not see the formatting. It is possible to create video and audio chat.
Pros and cons of the client
Free Storing the message history on the server Video and audio chat The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Lack of encryption Screenshots
1 , 2 .10. Icq2Go
Official site .
And lastly, the official web client ICQ. 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). Pleases the eye with the design in the spirit of the desktop version of ICQ: the tab-based interface is made with a bang, everywhere 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.
Pros and cons client
Free No ads Nice design news feed No message history on server The inability to view contact information No additional statuses Lack of encryption Screenshots
1 , 2 , 3 , 4 .Each web client has its own advantages and disadvantages, and I just showed a part of them in this review. The choice is yours.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/132973/
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