Alternative to Windows Live Messenger ???

Does anyone here use something else to log into MSN messenger. I used to use GAIM but the video chat never worked for me. I just got a new laptop with a built in webcam and would like to find a program that lets me use it.
Ive also heard that Trillian is quite a resource hog... if you know of something else that would be great!

What do you guys use besides Windows Live Messenger?

Thanks!

 

aMSN was quite good last time I used it (though I never tried video chat on it). The main page says it does support it though.

 

I don't know of any sorry.
But out of curiosity why don't you just use WLM?

 

i will look into the amsn... but from the name... it doesnt sound like it will support any other chat service. Sorry i didnt specify that in my first post.

um, im trying to avoid WLM because im anal and try to find open scource or different programs to run every single thing on my computer if i can. they are usually smaller, lighter, and dont use as many resources. also... i think WLM has ads right? i dont like ads. lol

Does anyone know of the latest GAIM Beta supports video chat? i just noticed they released a new verison.

 

Actually if you are concerned about ads there is a special patch for live messenger that I used in the past that removes all the ads and disables other features in WLM, a simple search in google turned up this link

http://www.liewcf.com/blog/archives...ows-live-messenger-formerlly-msn-messenger-8/

One thing I don't understand is why are you trying to use open source WLM is free no need to search so hard for a replacement...

 

Yeah, i know its free, but apart from ads... like i said before "they are usually smaller, lighter, and dont use as many resources."
I usually at least try to find a better alternative to any program i would otherwise have to use.

For example. I use Media Player Classic and VLC instead of Window media player
GAIM instead of Aim and MSN (in the past)
FOXIT instead of Adobe Acrobat
Hacked graphic drivers, to name a few
i know its funny... but its just my thing

 

You may want to look at this for alternatives.

 

First, Trillian isn't that bad resource-wise (using 14mb RAM here), and if any third-party client has a chance of supporting MSN video chat, it's Trillian.

But in general, if you need any advanced features, stick with the proper MSN client.

 

According my task manager Windows Live Messenger only uses about 4mb of RAM after fully starting up.

It was at 32mb but when down to 6mb after about a minute or two.

 

Trillian is not a resource hog at all. I've never seen it consume more than 7MB of memory. I think its very convenient to use because not everyone uses the same IM client so if you can combine it all into one application then its really good. Plus Trillian looks better than the other multiple IM client applications out there like Miranda IM and Pidgin.