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FreeJavaChat.com
Here, you can get a free, customized chat room for your Web site.
FreeJavaChat.com offers Java-based chat rooms that include a feature-rich
IRC-compliant Web interface. A big plus for this service is that it displays
no ads.
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PalTalk
The best free chat program we've seen yet, this state-of-the-art multimedia
client features both instant messaging and Net telephony. An ad-supported
program, PalTalk lets you make local and long distance calls for free to
anyone who has Web access. (For Windows).
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CyberNet
Worlds
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of 3D chat with CyberNet Worlds'
free 3D chat browser. Here, you can roam around various colorful 3D
landscapes, chatting with users from around the world and build your own
virtual home. The CyberNet community also stages social events, parties and
contests. (For Windows).
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Trillian
Basic
Are you tired of having an instant messaging program that always seems to be
incompatible with the ones your friends use? Trillian Basic is an outstanding
freeware program that allows you to access any of the Web's five major
instant-messaging services: AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and IRC.
This new version adds useful features such as 128-bit encryption and group
chat. It's free for non-commercial use. (For Windows).
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IMpersona
Liven up your instant messaging sessions on
MSN Messenger with this nifty free program, which lets you select an
animated "virtual character" to represent yourself. These 3D talking heads
display facial emotions and speak the words you type. There's a wide range of
characters to choose from. (For Windows).
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QuickChat
Do you wish you have a better way of interacting with your site's visitors? Do
you wish you could run a chat server, but don't know how? Here's an easy
solution. With QuickChat, all you need to do is cut and paste some coding to
your page and presto: you have your own chat room. This Java-based chat applet
offers lots of options and is accessible via a regular IRC client (such as
mIRC). New features
include a Trivia Channel, an administrative center and more options for
customizing your chat applet.
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Microsoft
NetMeeting
With this cool program, you can hold virtual meetings. NetMeeting offers
various tools to communicate and collaborate with others on the Web. It lets
you hold voice and video conferences, share software applications, chat, and
share a whiteboard.
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ICQ
A must-have instant messaging and chat program from Israel that ranks as one
of the Web's most useful freeware programs. ICQ's features could fill a book
but the most important innovation it offers is "awareness" (the ability to
determine whether other people are online at a given moment).
Available for Windows, Macs and Palms.
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XiRCON
(Note: this program is no longer in development, but is
still available at the site). This is a free chat program that is
highly configurable and easy to use. Many features, including an excellent
interface and the ability to instantly minimize itself to the Windows tray. It
also automatically remembers your favorite servers, channels and chat buddies.
Also supports connection to many servers at once, without launching a separate
copy of the program. Here's a screenshot
here.
(For Windows).
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Active
Worlds
We think that this is one of the coolest freeware programs on the Web. It's a
browser that lets you access AlphaWorld, a unique, 3D virtual community
populated by real people. The Active Worlds universe boasts thousands of users
who you can chat with. You can explore over 100 worlds in real-time,
high-color graphics. You can even own land and create buildings on your
property, from a simple house to an elaborate palace (a process that is quite
easy). (Available for Windows, Macs and Linux).
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AOL
Instant Messenger
This popular program, once available only to AOL users, is now available to
the entire online community. It offers many cool features. It allows you to
see who's currently online (like ICQ) and
lets you send quick and private instant messages, as well as pictures. You can
also communicate via voice, (provided you have a microphone and speakers).
(Available for both Windows and Macs).
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AbbottChat
(No longer freeware, but a time-limited free demo is
available). Here's a chat program for PCs and Macs that informs you
when your friends are online and allows you to send alerts (instant messages
that you can send to selected folks or your entire list). AbbottChat supports
private chat, instant messaging and file transfers. It's fast and requires no
cumbersome log-on or registration. (For Windows and
Macs).