Home
>
Software
>
Save Your Resources - Combine Your IM Clients

Save Your Resources - Combine Your IM Clients

There are so many different programs that clutter up your desktop and icon bar, every program using up your precious resources! How much faster would your PC if you could run one single program as opposed to three or more instant messenger clients?

Let me give you an example of how much resources are eaten up by using a couple of instant messenger (IM) clients.

On a normal day I have two instant messenger clients running at any given time, both of these programs use up hard drive storage space, memory resources and cpu processes. MSN 7.0 loads roughly 14.5 megabytes in to memory as it's running, ICQ 5 Lite uses about 11.9 megabytes of ram. That's around 26 MB of ram that you are using just to have them sit idle in your icon tray! So these programs use three major resources on your system, memory, hard drive storage space, and cpu processes! If you computer isn't top of the line you might start to feel the lag caused by all these additional programs. Guess what? There is something you can do about it!

Some people have developed their own instant messenger client that will let you combine other networks all in to one handy client!

Linux has several really great programs that do this for your system, Gaim, and KoPete are two that I have used on a regular basis in the past. However, I never really found one that I liked for Windows, until just recently!

I've been testing a copy of Instan-t Messenger v4.5 from Interactive Networks Inc. and quite frankly I believe it is the best combine messenger client that I've come across for Windows.

Instan-t Messenger has many great features, as I mentioned above it combines several clients in to one handy client. Instan-t supports MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, and it's own network. I ran the Instan-t client with MSN, ICQ and their network loaded and it took up a mere 16.2 MB of memory while loaded, which is significantly less than running the other two clients!

Instan-t Messenger is a great way to breathe a little life in to an older over tasked PC and give you an exciting new way to clean up some of those huge tray icons that seem to develop. It's about 6.2 MB to download their program, it's simple to install and is really worth checking out. My only critique of their program is the sorting options of contacts. I feel it's a bit clumsy and takes quite a bit of time to setup the way I want. Also, you can't "hide" offline clients, they just dim the icon. I hope that perhaps that can be rectified in future versions of this program.

Happy IM'ing!

Ken Dennis
http://kendennis-rss.homeip.net/

after renovation cleaning Wilmette ..

In The News:

SessionReaper vulnerability hits Magento and Adobe Commerce stores, compromising 250+ sites in one day. Hackers steal data and hijack shopping sessions.

Master essential parental controls and digital safety tools to protect your kids online. Learn screen time limits, location settings and privacy controls every parent needs.

Cybersecurity expert shares six essential steps to protect against dark web threats, including data removal services, password managers and antivirus software.

NVIDIA GPU space mission could revolutionize cloud services by enabling orbital data centers that make apps, games and AI tools faster and more efficient.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Microsoft warns Windows 10 users face serious security risks as 90% of ransomware attacks target unsupported systems. Learn why upgrading to Windows 11 is crucial.

Nike unveils Project Amplify, revolutionary motorized shoes developed with Dephy that add powered assistance to every step for runners and walkers.

Cybersecurity experts warn about one of the largest credential compilations ever found, urging users to check "Have I Been Pwned" and change passwords immediately.

Quick iPhone and Android battery optimization techniques help your device stay powered all day by turning off hidden features that secretly drain power in the background.

Kodiak Driver autonomous truck achieves perfect 98 safety score, matching top human fleets in groundbreaking AI evaluation by Nauto's VERA system.

New 401k catch-up contribution rules in 2026 will change taxes for high earners over 50. Learn how scammers exploit these changes and protect your retirement savings.

Kurt Knutsson's guide covers social media privacy protection through location settings, account privacy controls and two-factor authentication to prevent scams and data breaches.

Revolutionary retinal implant restores central vision in 80% of patients with advanced macular degeneration, offering hope where treatments once only slowed blindness.

Learn how to use passkeys on Windows and Mac computers without cameras or fingerprint readers. Discover secure authentication methods that replace passwords.

Tesla's FSD v14.1.2 update reintroduces Mad Max mode, enabling higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the standard Hurry profile setting.

A phishing email scam targeting American Express customers shows how cybercriminals use fake urgent messages to steal personal and financial information.

Facebook's new Meta AI feature analyzes your camera roll photos to create polished collages automatically, but requires cloud processing and raises privacy concerns.

A New Jersey teenager filed a major lawsuit against AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. over ClothOff, an AI tool that created fake nude images from her social media photos.

Microsoft reports Storm-2657 cybercriminals sent phishing emails to 6,000 addresses at 25 universities to steal payroll credentials and redirect funds.

Astronomers have discovered asteroid 2025 SC79, a skyscraper-sized space rock orbiting the sun in just 128 days. the second-fastest known.

The Fox News AI Newsletter delivers the latest developments form the world of artificial intelligence, including the technology's challenges and opportunities.

A cyberattack on SimonMed Imaging exposed personal information of 1.2 million patients, including medical records, financial details and identity papers.

Spotify's managed accounts for kids under 13 now available in at least seven countries, allowing parents to filter and block explicit content and songs.

Friendly text conversations about BBQs and social events can lead to WEEX gold trading scams that target older adults with fake investment opportunities.

California company Skyeports creates self-healing glass spheres from Moon regolith that generate solar power and support plant growth for sustainable lunar living.

Save Your Resources - Combine Your IM Clients

Software