Endless Paradigm

I must admit that I really miss MSN (Windows Live Messenger) a lot. Microsoft killed it off for no reason, well they bought Skype. There own messenger was clearly better at messaging. Features like custom Emoticons (NOT Emoji) and offline messaging were great. Skype doesn't offer these. Offline messaging doesn't work the way you think it is, e.g. you sent an offline message to one of contacts and think the receiver got your message. Nope, the receiver will only get that message if you're both online at the same time. As for Skype's stock Emoticons, they suck!!! You can't add your own custom *bling bling* Emoticons.
It all started when Microsoft removed the fancy feature of being able to change the nickname, since they wanted to integrate Facebook into MSN which failed horribly. MSN was stripped off its own features.

Nowadays all cool kids use WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber and all that new generation mobile spoon. Nobody ever thought how the Smartphone could change the way wee use the Internet. Microsoft was always late and too proud about releasing there stuff on other systems, so they missed their chance on iOS and Android. Desktop IMs are not that important anymore, everything is now focused on mobile.

So, what do you guys think about Instant Messaging today?

I know no one who uses WhatApp or Viber (except some countries it seems to be popular, the middle east like Viber, Brazil likes WhatsApp). Skype is still the defacto messaging platform for audio/video. Facebook gets used for messaging, but I've never had anyone video call me on it.

If you're just going by userbase, QQ messenger is one of the most popular.

I still just use IRC. Though it does lack video calling and all those government backdoors...

IRC for the win.

WhatsApp and Viber seem to have more limited popularity compared with Skype from the people I know.

Unfortunately, most people are followers, and systems like Facebook/Skype have a massive user base.  Due to the network monopoly effect, they don't look like they'll be going away soon (then again, see MySpace).  As long as MS doesn't royally screw up Skype, it'll probably stay popular.

Whilst MSN is dead, the protocol is still alive though - you just need to use a 3rd party client.

i use viber

(whatsapp with 1 contact before)

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]Whilst MSN is dead, the protocol is still alive though - you just need to use a 3rd party client.

You can still patch it with MSN Reviver, but nobody uses MSN anymore.

Jabber is also an option.

I have whatsapp, though my free year is nearly up so I'll just knock it on the head and tell it to jog on. I know a few who use Line, which has a massive library of emoticons available (albeit most for purchase).

Skype is butt annoying because not only does it mess about with messages, but when you've read everything on one device, and move to another, Skype decides you haven't read everything and that you should read it again, from the last time you were online on that device, meaning you could get notifications for month old messages. I really annoys and I end up not using it.

in Japan they use LINE because of the weird stickers