I know you technophiles out there are probably reading this post and thinking, Pshaw! I use every IM service out there! How about a Trillian vs. Meebo face-off? But not everyone is as well-versed in the ways of instant messaging (and how to use services like Trillian to combine of your messaging services in one easy window), so I thought I’d do a comparison of the Big Two IM clients. That’s right, today, your favorite IM client from middle and high school (AOL Instant Messenger) is facing off against Google Talk (aka GChat -- yes, that little chatting device that loads on the side of your Gmail has its own separate messaging device you can download). They both allow you to chat with your friends, family, and coworkers in real-time, but which one has the best features for you?

Google Talk and Gchat

- You’ve been using it for years -- why switch now? (Although you may want to update your screen name, punkprincess31…)
- Available on your mobile smartphone, new “Lifestream” feature is similar to your Facebook feed: It combines updates from Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites into one easy to follow feed in a separate tab from your buddy list.
- Unlimited file transfers up to a certain size limit
- Notifications on your desktop (which can also be turned off)
- Ability to block a user
- “Close the eye” when you want to be online but also invisible
- Option to save conversations for future reference
- New color schemes to choose from, as well as a redesigned buddy list that allows you to view buddy icons and status messages more clearly

- You can add your AIM buddy list to your Gchat/Talk list -- we’re talking the penultimate list of everyone you’ve ever met, chatted with, emailed, etc., in your life here.
- Available on your mobile smartphone
- Free PC-to-PC voice chat
- Send and receive voicemails
- Unlimited file transfers with no size or bandwidth restrictions
- Gmail notifications on your desktop (which can also be turned off)
- Saved archive of all conversations if you have a Gmail account
- Ability to block a user
- Go “invisible” and appear to be offline when you don’t want to be interrupted by Gchat
- Group chat capability on Gchat
- Video chat on Gchat
- Gchat built into Gmail, so you can email and chat in the same browser

I personally am a Gchat and Google Talk devotee (that’s my buddy list you see pictured up there on the right!), but I would definitely load my AIM buddy list into my Gchat contacts if I hadn’t forgotten my password! 

What instant messaging service do you prefer, Nesties? Share in the comments!

[AIM]
[Google Talk]

Photo credits (from left to right): Courtesy of AIM.com, HowStuffWorks.com, and Google.com/talk

-- Lauren Le Vine

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