MSN Messenger

Try either aMSN for Mac OS X or Mercury Messenger for Mac instead of MSM for Mac.

EZ Jim, without trying to threadjack, how well does that Mercury Messenger work (before I download it). I have aMSN and it is a bit hit and miss, so a fully functioning alternative would be nice.

Hello Graham,

Both aMSN for Mac OS X and Mercury Messenger for Mac are still being developed. I use neither, but I did test older versions a year or more ago. Based on those old tests, your description is good one for both apps. However, both can offer video support, which MSNM for Mac NEVER does.

For Mac users who must video with a PC that can only use MSN/Microsoft Messenger, I recommend aMSN or Mercury Messenger, which ever works best for you. Either can connect, so I provided links to both apps. Depending upon how important your "MSN" video sessions are, it may even be worthwhile to install both and use whichever works best at a given time.

If both you and your PC friend are willing to install your respective versions of another software application, based on my recent testing Skype seems to be the easiest and most reliable, free, cross-platform video chat application. Skype also offers audio with its video. In my tests, Skype works better for cross platform video chat than any of the apps that were developed only for PC (including MSN/Microsoft, Yahoo!, or AOL's Instant Messenger.)

If you are looking for other options, there are also some other cross-platform video chat and video conference applications listed in Some Applications You Can Use With iSight.

Cheers,
Jim 

Mac OS X (10.4.9)  G5 DP 1.8  External iSight

Hello Falconhawkman

Can I use it with my existing MSN contacts??

Yes (and aMSN, too)

How similar is it too MSN??

It (and aMSN, too) can do video while you IM. MSNMessenger for Mac can not.


Jim 

Mac OS X (10.4.9)  G5 DP 1.8  External iSight

EZ Jim, thanks for a clear analysis of the possibilities here. I try not to use MSN itself and usually work with Adium (itself not video capable) and do use Skype on a regular basis.

I shall certainly look at Mercury Messenger and understand that it is a work in progress like aMSN; but then challenges like that are always worth a try. I have bookmarked your page on Ralph Johns' UK site. All most valuable. My thanks too.

I did not notice CamFrog on there, btw.

You're welcome, Graham.

Glad you find the iSight pages interesting. Thanks for pointing out Camfrog Video Chat, too.

The direct links to applications in "Some Applications You Can Use With iSight" are the apps that have been around longest. The list never claimed to have every app that can use iSight, just a good sampling that will get most users started.

The pace of new software got so frantic that I eventually added the following to the "Some Applications..." page:

Other video capable apps can be found in Apple's Email & Chat and Video lists.

The Camfrog Video Chat app is available, although not directly, via that link. So are MANY other new ones.

There are several Mac client apps that can connect Macs to the old PC IM servers for text-only "IMing". The problem is when you try to connect for cross platform video. If you have poked around my "iSite" pages, you may have also noticed my full comments about MSN Messenger and other Common PC Chat Applications.

If you MUST video with a PC user committed ONLY to one of these old PC apps, the easiest way is likely to use a PC. At least where I live, you can buy a used PC cheaper than you can buy a copy of Windows XP to run via Boot Camp on an iNtel Mac.

Enjoy,
Jim 

Mac OS X (10.4.9)  G5 DP 1.8  External iSight

Thanks Falconhawkman

Glad you found my initial post helpful. Thanks for marking it.

If you have other questions about this, we will be happy to try to provide more detailed responses.

Jim