BEST CHAT PROGRAM Windows Live Messenger
Microsoft's popular instant-messaging tool lets you do a lot more than just chat with other users. You can share files and folders, make VoIP and video calls, and engage in various online activities. These include sharing programs and photos, and playing games like solitaire and chess.You can customise the program in lots of ways including changing the typeface and colour scheme and adding a background picture.
Minimum Requirements: Windows
File size: 17.2MB
Download at:Get the free version of Windows Live Messenger here
BEST MULTI-PROTOCOL CHAT PROGRAM Pidgin 2.0
Formerly known as Gaim, this instant-messenger tool lets you log into different accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously. It works with Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ and Jabber. As well as supporting standard features such as file transfers and away messages, the software has a feature called Buddy Pounces. This alerts you or performs a set action whenever one or more of your contacts changes their status or signs on or off.
Minimum Requirements: Windows
File size: 10.9MB
Download at:Get the free version of Pidgin 2.0 here
BEST VoIP PROGRAM Skype
eBay's VoIP software is packed with great features. You can call other users for free, send instant messages, take part in conference calls with up to eight other people, video chat using a webcam and transfer calls to other people. If you purchase credit, you can phone landlines, send SMS messages, forward calls and more, and even set up voicemail for a small subscription fee.
Minimum Requirements: Windows
File size: 22.6MB
Download at:Get the free version of Skype here
BEST VIDEOCONFERENCING TOOL SightSpeed
The free version of SightSpeed lacks some of the features found in the Pro edition, but still lets you chat with friends using your webcam, make VoIP calls and send video emails (you're limited to a 30-second recording). SightSpeed's main appeal is the quality of its live video and audio which is very smooth. The program uses its own algorithm which enables it to transmit 30 frames a second over a basic broadband connection.
Minimum Requirements: Windows, webcam
File size: 6.61MB
Download at:Get the free version of SightSpeed here
BEST EMAIL PROGRAM Thunderbird 2
An excellent alternative to Outlook Express, Mozilla's mail program has an intelligent junk filter to help cut down on unwanted spam, as well as a phishing filter, integrated RSS news reader and advanced folder views that let you organise and display folders in different ways. Using the built-in search bar you can find any message simply by entering a few keywords, while the program will inform you when new mail arrives by flashing up an alert.
Minimum Requirements: Windows
File size: 5.8MB
Download at:Get the free version of Thunderbird 2 here
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