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Trillian 3 Pro Software Review

Review for: Trillian 3 Pro

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Introduction

Trillian is a stand-alone, windows-based, multi-protocol chat client. With support for AIM, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo and IRC as its standard protocols trillian remains as one of the most popular chat solutions for internet users.

Some of Trillian's great features include:

• Audio/Video Chat
• File transfers
• Group chats
• Chat rooms
• Proxy Support
• Encrypted Messaging (AIM/ICQ only)

Installation

The Trillian installation process is painstakingly easy. All one needs to do is specify the installation directory and the installer performs the rest. After about a minute trillian is set up and ready to go. Upon launching the software for the first time you're asked to enter some information for trillian's default messaging protocols (MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, IRC). After doing this trillian will load all your connections, import your contacts and you're good to go.

Basic Features

Trillian comes with one of the most comprehensive feature-sets allowing you to customize most of the functionality of how the software works.

Multiple connections to the same protocol

This is probably the most widely used feature of Trillian and as of 3.1 it does it superbly. If you've ever wanted to log onto two AIM accounts simultaneously then this is perfect for you! The process is made extremely simple with Trillian's built in connection manager. You just add a connection, enter your basic information, choose to put your contacts for the new connection under a different contact list and then you're done.

Contact list customization

Trillian allows you a vast array of options with regards to customizing your contact list. You can choose how to order your contacts (by name, server or status), give your contacts custom names, hide offline contacts, assign your contacts picture icons and much more.

Message windows

The most commonly used feature that lacks in the default messenger clients by the major protocols (at the time of this reviews publishing) is tabbed message windows. Trillian does this superbly allowing you to group your contacts by protocol, status and even by those you assign to a custom tabbed window manually. A great new feature that the Trillian developers have come up with is wikipedia integration. Commonly used words are highlighted within messages sent to you and when you hover over the word it gives you a wikipedia definition. This is certainly an original feature, but fortunately it can be switched off fairly easily. Finally another new feature is that you can have windows that aren't active within a specific timeframe automatically close themselves, meaning no more wasted taskbar space.

Video & Audio

Previous versions of Trillian have lacked stable support for audio and video conversations on the protocols that utilise them. This time around the developers have firmly integrated audio & video support into Trillian. You can chat with your microphone or have a webcam chat with a friend.

Expansions

Trillian offers users an easy-to-use plugin and skin manager for all those users who like to modify their software. The skin system is highly versatile and all aspects of the user-interface are skinnable. The plugin interface for trillian is just as easy to use, just downloading an .exe file and running it to install the plugin. Plugins can easily be uninstalled and disabled with the click of a button. Some of the plugins currently available include latest weather, checking Gmail within trillian's contact list and spellchecking.

Positives

• Aesthetically-pleasing and easy to navigate user interface
• Wide range of skins and plugins
• None of the usual advertisments you get on AIM and MSN

Negatives

• Although the file transfer system claims to have been vastly improved, problems remain and slow transfers are common.
• Users of a protocols more advanced features will have to settle for slightly less.

Conclusion

All in all trillian is undoubtedly the leader in the multi-protocol messenger client market. With it's rich features, attention-to-detail and user-friendly interface it's sure to remain the firm favourite for some time to come.

Editors Rating: 8.7/10

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