Lemmonaid

Thunderbird

Starting with e-mails, for long time I was using web-based e-mail services including great Gmail. But it became kind of difficult to maintain several different e-mail boxes so I started looking for solution more similar to Microsoft’s Outlook. After trying several e-mail client applications I found the best to be Thunderbird from Mozilla, creators of Firefox web-browser.

Browsing e-mails in Thunderbird

Thunderbird offers everything I need. Setting up multiple e-mail accounts was a breeze, working with and managing emails is flawless, searching feature was pushed to another level since version 3 release. The application really looks and feels good and if you find some functionality missing, there is most likely an add-on for it. Like, for example, a calendar add-on I can’t be without – Lightning (which is Mozilla Sunbird ported into Thunderbird) and Google Calendar integration.

Calendar add-on for Thunderbird

So everything related to e-mails and calendar under one roof – perfect. You can get Thunderbird free of charge from Mozilla’s website.

Gmail Notifier

If you, for example, still prefer accessing your e-mail account using web-browser and happen to use (the best) Gmail, a little application called Gmail Notifier can alert you about new e-mail messages without being logged into the service right at the time.

Skype

Moving from e-mails to Internet telephony, or often referred as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) applications. Probably the best one, most popular (over 21 million people were using Skype at time the screenshot was taken…) and known is Skype. Offers free Internet phone calls, video calls and chatting for registered users, even with possibility of conference and cheaper (not completely free) calls to land-line or mobile numbers. An advantage for Skype is its multilingual interface with wide range of languages to choose from. The newest version supporting HD video calls can be downloaded from www.skype.com.

Skype communicator

Google Talk

Like its name suggests, this app is suitable for owners of Google account (although I have never used it…). Google Talk is instant messaging, VOIP and video communication program that is easy to manipulate and looks pretty indeed. Download Google Talk

Pidgin

Complete instant messaging client in this article is represented with open-source program mostly known from Linux platform called Pidgin. The program supports majority of main instant messaging protocols including AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, Bonjour, MSN, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu and others. Except standard chatting feature it can transfer files, communicate with a number of different users at a time, and current version integrates even voice and video conversation possibilities. If you want to give Pidgin a try, download it from www.pidgin.im.