After seeing that I could download MSN Messenger Beta 7.0, I spent an hour or so updating all my MSN preferences - wondering why I couldn’t turn off the “Dating” tab or advertisements. Taken, thanks - you stupid, stupid piece of software (read: unintuitive service). I’ve skipped AIM, too - as well as ICQ. It’s Trillian all the way for me. I find it completely inexcusable for these companies to go out of their way to NOT get along with one another.

Wikipedia: An instant messenger is a client which hooks up to an instant messaging service. Instant messaging differs from e-mail in that conversations happen in realtime. Also, most services convey an “online status” between users, such as if a contact is actively using the computer.

The problem? I don’t want to have to worry about what IM program my friends are running - I just want to send them instant messages without worry. MSN Messenger doesn’t get it, AIM is equally clueless, Hello didn’t have me at hello, and Yahoo! Messenger is just as silly. Until they get their act together, I’m IMing the easiest way possible - with a unified instant messaging program.