Do I really need a new IM client?

Okay so I use AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) and iChat for work. They work nicely and most people I know use them.
I use MSN sparingly and a few people I know use it but of course more importantly the other half uses it.
I was having problems using MSN for mac until I discovered that I could hook up MSN into iChat using the jabber protocol and MSN transport.
I’ve noticed a couple of developments recently in the IM space.
The trend to create site based messaging continues. Many of the newer social networking sites come with a proprietary messenger service. See imeem.com for example here and even myspace are looking to launch a messenger. Also a newer smarter trend for services that work on many platforms and move with you like indi – it’s not just a messenger it also is a storage utility for contacts and notes etc. See getindi.com for example.

My big question though is why would I need a new messenger? If you take email as an example the beauty of it is that you send a message to anyone on any other service and they receive it and respond.
With messengers there are 3 big players, MSN, AIM and ICQ. AIM and ICQ talk to each other and MSN and Yahoo! talk to each other.

Allegedly MSN and Yahoo! hold 44 per cent of the worldwide IM user base between them, with AOL (AIM and ICQ) taking, according to Radicati Group. Third parties such as Jabber aren’t statistically significant, with Google’s Jabber-based chat holding just 0.5 per cent. So really there are 2 big players, the AOL people and the MSN people.

If the big players refuse to talk to each other that leaves the space open for the likes of trillian and meebo.com. Trillian is software that allows you to sign into different IM services using one piece of software and Meebo is similar but web based so no download or install required (handy for internet cafes and travelers) and also means it is platform agnostic (you just need a supported web browser).

Meebo is my favourite in this space so far. I can use it on either of my Macs or my work laptop and with a single login I can be signed into MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo! and Jabber and GTalk.
So until the big boys play nicely I’ll be using meebo.com

AIM URL’s

I keep getting asked this question so here is the guide to AIM URL’s
You can use AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) codes in hyperlinks to interact with the AIM or iChat clients. Here is the list of AIM codes and how to use them:

To use a space
If you want to use a space be sure to place the ‘+’ symbol where there would normally be a space. aim:goim?screenname=SCREENNAMEk&message=Hello,+this+is+a+test!
Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

Opens a new blank IM window
aim:goim
Example: Click Here

Opens a new IM window with a screen name
aim:goim?screenname=SCREENNAME

Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

Opens a new IM window with a screen name and a message
aim:goim?screenname=SCREENNAME&message=MESSAGE
Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

Opens a chat room
aim:gochat?roomname=ROOMNAME
Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

Opens the "Add Buddy" window with a screen
name to add

aim:addbuddy?screenname=SCREENNAME
Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

Opens the "Add Buddy" window with a screen
and a group name to add
aim:addbuddy?screenname=SCREENNAME&groupname=GROUPNAME

Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

To change someone’s buddy icon when they click on the
link
aim:buddyicon?src=BUDDYICONURL
Example: aim.gif

To open or receive someone’s
shared files
aim:getfile?screenname=SCREENNAME
Example: Click Here (You know you want to)

brand consultants

So I’ve decided if I ever sell my other flat I’m going to start a brand consultants. There is a particular consultancy that has been using the same old tired designs again and again. What shall we do this time? I know lets use their name in fuzzy letters and four colourways. In fact lets blend the colour ways too. So we have Holmes Place, AOL, abbey. All looking strikingly similar in theme and colourways.
Others simply using colourways and others just the name.
So I think I’m going to do this.
Anyone need a new brand?

I suggest using the company name – either all lowercase or uppercase. Then simply use a colour block or background. Finally use 3 other colours to allow you to use the brand in different ways. Preferably a blue, green, red and either yellow or orange.

If you are feeling really fancy use a blend from one colour to another.

Live8

Okay so Live8 is happening tomorrow – it coincides with London Pride so it’s going to be nice and quiet in London tomorrow. Not!
AOL are sponsoring the event and also providing live streams of all of the events so you can watch which concert you want. So I’m going to be at the London gig working to make sure everything runs smoothly. I’ll also be handing out AOL/Live8 goodies and helping out at AOL Tents urging people to sign the petition to make your voice heard at the event.
An 8am start though :o(

The Stepford Wives

I go to Clapham Picturehouse quite a lot now I’ve discovered how nice it is and that it’s local too. So when the picturehouse group opened a new cinema by work (Olympia Cinema) I decided to go check it out. Last weekend was the opening weekend so along with lots of other people in the know I was invited to a sneak preview of The Stepford Wives.

The Olympia Cinema is actually the conference centre with a screen at the weekends. Nice enough but not as cosy as a real cinema.

The Stepford Wives was kind of the same. Nice enough but not a patch on the original. This version is a comedy but unlike it’s alter ego was lacking the black humour and suspense. I’ll not spoil the plot since it doesn’t open for another couple of weeks but one point where they mention AOL had the whole cinema (excluding me) laughing.
Well worth going but don’t expect suspense or to be thrilled.