I have officially left Trillian after many years of loyal use

[archcommus]

I'll admit, I never liked AIM and tried Trillian and loved it. I used 1.0 Pro and moved right on to 2.0 Pro when it came out. However, I was always bothered by 1) the format of the .log files, 2) the inability to do proper DCs most of the time, and 3) the quirkiness with file transfers sometimes.

Let me just say before I continue that I hate using "old" versions of programs. If a newer version comes out that I don't like, I'd usually rather switch programs than use the old version of the other.

So then 3 came out. IMHO, it was far worse in most ways. The logging is horrendous. The format is even worse than before and makes the text files barely readable. The interface is worse, and the control panel also went far downhill. It became more difficult to manage profiles and change the user directories. Plus, for me anyway, file transfers became successful even less often than before.

So, I switched to AIM. Of course I could not bear AIM alone, so I got DeadAIM, as well. Together, it's an awesome combination. Logs are simple .htmls and are much better and easier to work with than Trillian 3's logs. Tabbed conversation windows allow me to avoid tasbar clutter. DCs and transfers work perfect everytime. And I don't have to have a stupid window open just for being "away" like with normal AIM.

All in all, no complaints. I really see no more reason to use Trillian unless you do actually like to talk to people on many different mediums at once (which I never did).

 

[Schadenfroh]

:heart:Miranda

 

[BW86]

I'm using AIM + Adhack as of now. It's alright.

 

[MangoTBG]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
:heart:Miranda

I'd be in for a switch if Miranda has a plug in that shows the away msg just under the name of the user that is away....I'm an away msg whore at heart, but trillian 3 satisfies my need to read away msgs with no guilt

 

[Bateluer]

How are log files in Trillian hard to read? Its just a txt file with the username, timestamp, and what they said.

 

[yukichigai]

Trillian 3 is incredibly slow as well. The IRC interface has gone to utter crap since 2, and plenty of people have complained. I may go to Gaim.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
How are log files in Trillian hard to read? Its just a txt file with the username, timestamp, and what they said.

Have you actually looked at a log file from Trillian 3? It also includes formatting information now, which appears every time the convo window was opened or closed. It's a complete mess to read through.

 

[neit]

You may also want to check out the windows port of GAIM (http://gaim.sourceforge.net/). I've been using it for a while now, and dont have any complaints. The logs are in html and are exactly as you see them while you chat.

My favorite option is the ability to just make all the other person's IM in plain format. For some reason all the girls on my list feel the need to have smaller, italicised and colored text.

 

[KoolDrew]

Use Gaim.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: Bateluer
How are log files in Trillian hard to read? Its just a txt file with the username, timestamp, and what they said.

Have you actually looked at a log file from Trillian 3? It also includes formatting information now, which appears every time the convo window was opened or closed. It's a complete mess to read through.

As long as you view the files from within the trillian log viewer they look great. You can search within it and everything.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: Bateluer
How are log files in Trillian hard to read? Its just a txt file with the username, timestamp, and what they said.

Have you actually looked at a log file from Trillian 3? It also includes formatting information now, which appears every time the convo window was opened or closed. It's a complete mess to read through.

As long as you view the files from within the trillian log viewer they look great. You can search within it and everything.

That is true, but I don't like relying on the program to view them. They could change it again in the next version for all we know.

What about Gaim would I like better than AIM + DeadAIM? I really have not a single complaint about this combo.

 

[Thyme]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: Bateluer
How are log files in Trillian hard to read? Its just a txt file with the username, timestamp, and what they said.

Have you actually looked at a log file from Trillian 3? It also includes formatting information now, which appears every time the convo window was opened or closed. It's a complete mess to read through.

As long as you view the files from within the trillian log viewer they look great. You can search within it and everything.

That is true, but I don't like relying on the program to view them. They could change it again in the next version for all we know.

What about Gaim would I like better than AIM + DeadAIM? I really have not a single complaint about this combo.

I use GAIM on single-monitor environments and AIM+DeadAIM on multi-monitor environments so I can tell you why I prefer one over the other.

GAIM's logging isn't as fancy except that it will put the last few bits of a closed conversation on a new one which is nice.
GAIM's buddy list sorting is just great. You have lots of options for how you want to display it. I prefer by status with text only. That lets me see who's online quickly (especially on low-res, limited-space screens) and also check away messages easily.

AIM+DeadAIM can handle fonts and font options better than GAIM. Since most people you'll probably be talking to will be IMing from AIM, you will see things as they intend them more. I believe when you talk from GAIM to someone with AIM and a black background, it will come as the annoying grey on black, too. GAIM will let you ignore formatting which I use because I don't have any patience for it when I'm on a cramped laptop, for instance.

AIM can also do direct connect and file transfers a lot better than GAIM. I don't even bother with GAIM. However, if you do need them, it isn't too inconvenient to hop on AIM.

Another benefit of GAIM for me is it circumvents one of the stupidest things in AIM's software ever (with fierce compteition...): stupid "expressions" crap. You can turn them off, but if you want to see buddy icons, you have to widen the window by 50 pixels just to see them and waste space. Drives me too crazy to even show buddy icons. GAIM doesn't have that problem because they actually spend more than 10 seconds using the software before releasing it.

So there's my 2c.

 

[RaiderJ]

I use Trillian just so I only need once piece of software to talk to everyone. However, file transfers do suck. Seems I can never send files over MSN, AIM, or anything else.

 

[Ryland]

Trillian is using XML to format the log files which means that other XML readers SHOULD be able to at least format the files for you. I actually like the fact that Trilian 3 gives you the ability to log in as different users on the same computer.

 

[archcommus]

Thyme: Some of GAIM sounds interesting, but there are too many turn-offs, such as losing intended formatting, and poor file transfers, like you said. The great thing about using AIM is that, well, everyone else is, too, so there are no incompatibilities - file transfers and DCs and such work perfectly, every time.

Ryland: AIM lets you do that, as well.

DeadAIM lets me: have only one window open for all active conversations, rename contacts, store logs in a very easy to work with .html format, turn off AIM ads and crap, turn off emoticons, minimze the Away window to the tray, and other things. It basically fixes everything that I dislike about AIM.

 

[Ryland]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Ryland: AIM lets you do that, as well.

I also have MSN, Yahoo and ICQ accounts that I handle through Trillian.

 

[archcommus]

Then that is definitely a reason to use it. But I never talked to people on MSN, Yahoo, or ICQ, anyway. Plus I need MSN to do video, it sucks through AIM.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

I :heart: DeadAIM. Best $5 I ever spent. Ever.

 

[rh71]

I use Trillian because it truly is an all-in-one. I use it for RSS (the best part), stocks, weather, POP Mail, MSN Messenger, AIM. There is no substitute.

 

[Rottie]

I wouldn't leave Trillian Pro for many reasons..I have buddies from MSN, Yahoo, AIM, and ICQ. I am able to see webcam from Yahoo and the file transfer between Trillian and AIM and MSN clients works just fine for me. I have 4 AOL accounts open for me at once. I can't think of any other gripes I might have with Trillian Pro 3.

 

[neutralizer]

Most of my file transfers work, I just miss MSN games. But I love my trilly.

 

[Xyclone]

I personally would use Trillian Pro over AIM + DeadAIM any day. But, that's just me.

 

[archcommus]

I have to say again, of course, if you have multiple accounts, Trillian makes sense, that is obvious. But I did not so I didn't really have a need. Plus, 1) log file suck, 2) DC did not work, and 3) file transfers hardly ever worked FOR ME. I'm not saying they don't for everybody, it's hit and miss, really.

 

[bNeta86]

Get a cell phone ;-)

Just kiddin - I just quit replying to people - and now I only use aim when i have to send a message to someone who wont pick up their phone.

Much easier.

 

[Nebor]

Ever since version three direct connect and file transfers work perfectly through all mediums. They were fubared before version three though.

I've bought Trillian several times now, for some reason my subscription always runs out...