Pidgin vs Trillian

May 17, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Pidgin
Pidgin (formerly named Gaim) is a multi-platform instant messaging client. It provides the ability to have voice/video conversations using the XMPP protocol (including Google Talk). Further features include support for themes, emoticons, spell checking, and notification area integration.
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Trillian
Trillian is modern and secure instant messaging for people, business and healthcare
Pidgin and Trillian are both multi-protocol instant messaging clients, but they have distinct differences. Pidgin is an open-source messaging client that supports a wide range of messaging protocols, including AIM, Google Talk, ICQ, XMPP, and more. It offers a customizable and user-friendly interface, along with features like chat logging, file transfers, and plugins for additional functionality. Trillian, on the other hand, is a commercial messaging client that also supports multiple protocols such as AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, and more. It offers a polished and streamlined interface, with features like synchronized chat history, contact management, and cloud storage integration. Trillian also provides mobile apps for seamless messaging across devices.

See also: Top 10 Business Messaging platforms
Pidgin vs Trillian in our news:

2008. Trillian adds Facebook, IRC support to Astra

Trillian, my preferred instant messaging (IM) application, has released a fresh build of its upcoming Astra product exclusively for alpha testers. The latest update introduces Facebook notifications and convenient shortcuts to access features like photo galleries and user profiles. However, one notable absence is Facebook's chat functionality, which many Trillian users have eagerly anticipated. In contrast, competing platform Digsby integrated Facebook chat back in May, shortly after its launch. Scott Werndorfer, Trillian's co-founder and head developer, explains that his team is awaiting proper integration with Facebook chat using XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol), which may be announced at the upcoming F8 event. Initially promised for mid-May, developers have resorted to makeshift solutions that require browser usage, an inconvenience nobody desires in a desktop chat application. On a positive note, the new build introduces support for IRC (Internet Relay Chat), a valuable medium for live blogging and customer care chat in enterprise environments. Trillian offers comprehensive administrative controls and server browsing, along with the option to encrypt chat room content for sharing sensitive personal or business information—an advantage lacking in AIM and many other platforms. Currently, Trillian Astra is available only to private alpha testers who must sign up for the opportunity to try out the new version.


2007. Trillian for Macs Has Arrived

Trillian, the popular instant messaging client, has unveiled a new port of its software specifically designed for Mac OS X. The user interface has been completely redeveloped, ensuring a seamless integration with the Mac environment. While the underlying code for Trillian remains consistent across Windows, Flash, and iPhone platforms, providing a unified experience, the initial release of Trillian for Mac is somewhat streamlined compared to its Windows counterpart. However, all the familiar features will be gradually incorporated into the Mac version in the coming months. For more information, visit Cerulean Studios. In addition, Trillian has recently integrated web services into user profiles, bringing further enhancements to the IM client.


2007. Trillian Astra adds social networking to user profiles

If you're currently participating in the alpha testing phase of Trillian Astra, the latest update over the weekend brings a new and straightforward profile building tool. This tool allows you to include a variety of web services in your personal profile, such as Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Last.fm, LinkedIn, and more. With a total of 13 services available, you can also quickly add links to your blog or personal website. Essentially, this feature creates an aesthetically pleasing collection of links to all your online identities and services, visible to others when they view your profile. While it's a promising step towards integrating with other web services, it remains to be seen if Trillian will follow in the footsteps of Flock, a competitor that has taken this concept even further in its latest release. This new addition also brings to mind AirTalkr, a similar service we reviewed recently, which goes beyond the user and actively searches for matches on various services using names and email addresses. It would be great if Trillian could incorporate a similar functionality. Trillian Astra is currently in private alpha, and there is no official release date yet. However, if you're a paying pro member of version 3, you can join the beta by signing up on the alpha sign-up page. In the meantime, since our last coverage, Trillian has introduced an auto-updater, a plugin for MySpace's IM protocol, and launched the iPhone and web versions of its client.


2007. Trillian Astra gets desktop widgets

In the latest version of the upcoming chat client Trillian Astra, Cerulean Studios has introduced desktop versions of its widgets, a feature that went almost unnoticed last week. Users now have the option to place widgets in their Trillian buddy list or directly on their desktop, similar to other desktop widget tools like the Yahoo Widget engine. The widgets can be easily sent between the buddy list and desktop through right-clicking or drag-and-drop functionality. Currently, there are only five sample widgets available, but if Cerulean Studios expands the options or adopts universal widget coding, Trillian users could have the advantage of having two applications in one, along with a wide range of desktop widgets. Customizing the widgets is a bit cumbersome at the moment, as configuration is done through a preferences menu instead of directly on the desktop. However, it is expected that this will be improved as the application nears its release. Some of the sample widgets, such as the weather widget, are visually appealing and fully animated, while the world-time widget displays the sunlight hitting the user's current location, offering a touch of nerd eye-candy. Like other widget tools, Astra provides a hotkey that allows users to access all running widgets simultaneously by pressing the Windows key and the space bar. Although it doesn't quite match the experience of OS X's Dashboard widget, it is a convenient feature. While it's advisable not to abandon your current widget engine just yet, considering that this is a brand-new feature in a private alpha application, it is exciting to anticipate whether this functionality will be integrated into the upcoming browser-free version of Trillian. For more visual insights into the new widget runtime environment, keep reading.


2006. Microsoft and Yahoo IM services to become interoperational

Users of Microsoft Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger with Voice beta now have the opportunity to participate in a beta program that allows them to communicate and exchange messages with each other. This marks a significant step towards interoperability between the major instant messaging services, eliminating the need for third-party applications like Trillian. Existing users will be prompted to join the beta test, while those using older versions can visit the respective websites to participate. This development opens up new avenues for seamless communication and connectivity between users of these popular messaging platforms.


2004. Yahoo to Trillian: Talk to the hand

In its latest move to restrict third-party integrators, Yahoo has started blocking Trillian software from accessing its instant messaging service. The block was implemented to prevent spammers from misusing Yahoo Messenger. Trillian is a software that combines multiple instant messaging clients under one interface, allowing users to communicate with buddies on different systems. Yahoo has previously blocked Trillian, but workarounds were implemented. This time, Yahoo plans to continue changing its protocols to prevent Trillian and other clients from finding new ways to incorporate Yahoo. The blocking efforts highlight Yahoo's efforts to protect its proprietary IM network, similar to actions taken by other major internet service providers in the past. IM spam, also known as "spim," is considered a growing concern, although it is not yet as significant as email spam.


2003. Trillian plugs back into Yahoo, MSN

Cerulean Studios has released software patches for its Trillian client that enable support for MSN and Yahoo instant messaging services, according to co-founder Scott Werndorfer. The patches, available on Cerulean's website, allow both the free 0.74 version and the older for-pay Pro 1.0 version of Trillian to continue working with Yahoo and MSN clients. The recent release of Trillian Pro 2.0 already includes the necessary updates. The patches were released shortly after Yahoo announced its upgrades might block third-party clients like Trillian. Trillian integrates multiple instant messaging applications, allowing users to manage AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger in one interface. The patches align Trillian with the latest protocol requirements of MSN and Yahoo. Although neither Cerulean nor Yahoo commented on the reasons for the software patch release, Yahoo's recent move aims to encourage users to upgrade their older versions of Yahoo Messenger. This mirrors a similar decision by Microsoft to require MSN Messenger users to upgrade for security improvements, though Microsoft did not provide assurances about compatibility with third-party services like Trillian.


2003. MSN Messenger blocks Trillian

Microsoft has announced that users of the free web-based MSN Messenger and the Windows XP-based Windows Messenger will need to update their software to a newer version in order to continue using the service. Failure to do so will result in being unable to access the service, as stated by the software company on Wednesday. MSN Messenger users must upgrade to version 5.0 or a higher version, while Windows Messenger customers need to upgrade to version 4.7.2009 or a higher release. Users of MSN Messenger for Mac OS X should utilize version 3.5 or a newer version. The most recent version of MSN Messenger released was version 6. Microsoft spokesperson Sean Sundwall explained that the need for the upgrade is due to security concerns associated with older versions. However, he refrained from providing specific details about the security issue, citing the risk it may pose to customers if disclosed.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com