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A chat program is a means of communicating real-time with other users on the internet. AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, iChat, Google Talk, Trillian, and GAIM are some of the most popular instant messaging programs. Most of these, if not all, support webcam chat so it would be possible to use one of these programs to selectively broadcast your wedding ceremony.
Chat software features
| Service
| Connect
| 3+Way Chat
| Voice Chat
| Webcam
|
| AIM
| AIM, AOL, iChat
| Yes: Buddy Chat
| Yes: Talk Connection2
| Yes: requires WinXP or iChat2
|
| Windows Live Messenger (aka MSN Messenger)
| MSN, Yahoo!
| Yes
| Yes: Uses telephone connected to computer2
| Yes2
|
| Yahoo!
| Yahoo!, MSN
| Yes: Conference
| Yes2
| Yes
|
| eBuddy
| AIM, MSN, Yahoo!
| Yes
| No
| No
|
| GAIM
| AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, Google
| Yes
| No
| No
|
| Google Talk*
| Google
| No
| Yes: "Call"2
| No
|
| iChat**
| iChat, AIM, AOL
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| ICQ
| ICQ
| Yes
| Yes2
| Yes: requires WinXP
|
| IRC⁂
| IRC⁂
| Yes: Create private channels
| No
| No
|
| Trillian
| IRC⁂, AIM, AOL, MSN, Yahoo!, ICQ, Google†
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes†
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22-way connection only.
*Google Talk requires a GMail account, which must be obtained through invitation or text message to an American cell phone number.
**Macintosh software.
⁂IRC (Internet relay chat) is not a particular product. There are many IRC servers and clients that can be found online. See IRC
†Google Talk access and video chat requires Trillian Pro ($25)
Notes
Warning: The official AIM software is bundled with a program called Viewpoint Media Player, which some people consider to be spyware. It can greatly slow down your system. If you have an AIM screen name, and if you don't want Viewpoint, you might want to use AIM Express (a lite Web version) or another product that can connect to AIM.
eBuddy, GAIM, and Trillian do not offer new accounts for the networks to which they connect. You'll need to register an AIM screen name (for AIM), a Passport Network account (for Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger), or a Yahoo! ID (for Yahoo!).
IRC
IRC is not a software product, but rather a classic form of text-based Internet chat. People connect to IRC using client software. There are many different IRC servers with different features and purposes.
Many people recommend mIRC, but it's 30-day trialware. However, there is a powerful free multiplatform alternative called savIRC. Trillian (pro or not) and even the Opera browser can connect to IRC as well.
Warning: IRC is notorious for some users sending Internet security hazards such as denial of service attacks.
External Links & Resources
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