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Beef Up the Google Talk Desktop App
Posted by Adam Pash at 4:00 AM on December 25, 2007
It's no secret that Google's desktop chat application, Google Talk, has been somewhat stagnant, particularly in comparison to the major jumps that have been taken with the web-based chat app. Web site MakeUseOf has rounded up three different Google Talk add-ons designed to add more functionality to Google's lagging chat application: gAlwaysIdle, GPlus, and Extended Talk. The first let's you set yourself as idle manually so you can avoid distractions when you need to get to work or set it to never switch to idle in those event when you don't want people to know you're away from your computer; GPlus adds tons of personalization features for the customization lover and local chat logging; and Extended Talk adds productivity features like text expansion for commonly used features (sort of like Texter). If you're a desktop Google Talk lover looking for a bit more control, these add-ons are a nice kick in GTalk' stagnant butt. With that in mind, I'm wondering:
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
LethAL
Posted 9:29 AM 24/12/07
@The How-To Geek: Amen. Although I actually use Miranda
LethAL
The How-To Geek
Posted 9:22 AM 24/12/07
You're missing an option for "I use GTalk in Adium or Pidgin" =)
The How-To Geek
David Kaufman
Posted 10:03 AM 24/12/07
You are also missing the - With MSN, Y! and AIM is there room for YAIM client? (yet another instant messaging)
I have had 1 request for use of Gtalk and it was by a friend who already used 2 others, so I said no.
David Kaufman
jrezin
Posted 11:43 AM 24/12/07
Not voting as not 3rd party/Miranda IM option is there. =]
jrezin
DarkJesus
Posted 11:39 AM 24/12/07
Any other jabber client could be used too.
DarkJesus
ajskhan
Posted 11:19 AM 24/12/07
@LethAL: Same here.
Miranda is so nice, so customizable and I got mine to blend into the vista sidebar (making it actually useful to me!)
ajskhan
MePerson
Posted 12:39 PM 24/12/07
Yeah, but to use Gplus's rich text features, you both need Gplus.
MePerson
voyagerfan5761
Posted 12:23 PM 24/12/07
@The How-To Geek et al: Somebody forgot Pidgin; abstaining...
voyagerfan5761
JeffCarr
Posted 12:21 PM 24/12/07
Web based on Windows (work) and Kopete at home.
JeffCarr
Duane
Posted 1:49 PM 24/12/07
I second Kopete. I use Meebo at work, and Kopete at home. Can't vote, since none of these options are listed.
Duane
Blah8
Posted 3:52 PM 24/12/07
If GTalk got video chat, I might start using it more often... but it's still nice for what it has.
Blah8
Nxqd3051990
Posted 3:49 PM 24/12/07
I use them in Pidgin :)
Nxqd3051990
BrtW
Posted 12:53 AM 25/12/07
I don't know if Google's web-based chat is better than the desk top version. What desktop version?
I am stuck with MSN and Skype because they have video and I use the conveniently small G-chat web-based when chatting in a public space.
BrtW
Notorious216
Posted 2:07 PM 25/12/07
Ahhh. Always away. Perfect for my status stalker friends.
Notorious216
ahoier
Posted 9:06 PM 25/12/07
I use the desktop app, only because I don't feel like my friends should know I'm online while I'm checking my e-mail...hehehe.
Though it is lagging behind per se, I wouldnt look at it like that, it's got what it needs, and it does it good and simple. No bloat, that's what I like about the desktop app. I hope they don't change it too much...
ahoier
Quine
Posted 9:20 PM 25/12/07
iChat aka another Jabber client. update your poll please lifehacker!
Quine
MakeUseOf
Posted 11:50 AM 25/12/07
Desktop vs. Web version:
Anyone who is spending lots of time in Gmail will obviously find web version more convenient. OTOH,folks like me, who prefer dealing with email via desktop client (Oulook, Thunderbird, etc.) will probably prefer desktop version.
MakeUseOf
Malinthe
Posted 9:07 PM 24/12/07
I use the desktop client. I don't like the web-based one 'coz it feels slow. :)
I tried to use GPlus with Google Talk but it doesn't work with it. Doesn't even load. Any ideas?
Malinthe
SuperCow
Posted 10:49 AM 24/12/07
Does anyone here know of a way to get AIM working in Google Talk? I'm a big fan of Pidgin, but a bigger fan of Google Talk's voice chat.
SuperCow
petersaints
Posted 10:43 AM 24/12/07
It's a shame no one uses Google Talk on my country (Portugal) everyone is completely addicted to Windows Live Messenger, many don't even know there are other alternatives. I really love Google Talk but I have just 2 persons on my contact list :(
petersaints
BrainFreezer
Posted 10:40 AM 24/12/07
I love the desktop app (auto-ordering of top contacts, big icons, only one flashing window), but the app is giving me fits knowing that it COULD get me AIM on the desktop, but the AIM license is probably stopping it. (I admit, I haven't read the AIM eula.) I still have non-progressive friends who think that AIM is the only chat program available and it's slowing bringing me into the browser window.
BrainFreezer
HeartBurnKid
Posted 10:52 AM 26/12/07
Where's the Pidgin option?
HeartBurnKid
voyagerfan5761
Posted 1:27 PM 26/12/07
@petersaints: So what? Lifehacker's got instructions to integrate the .NET Messenger Service into your Google Talk contact list. I did it ages ago for both MSN and AIM (and if I get contacts on it sometime, Yahoo!), and I'm not looking back.
@HeartBurnKid: I'm with you there. :)
voyagerfan5761
BarcelonaPhotoblog
Posted 1:47 AM 27/12/07
Thanks for the addons. I like Gtalk and find some extra stuff might be helpful sometimes.
BarcelonaPhotoblog