| So you're sick and tired of AOL Instant | | | | service and offering a download link. This |
| Messenger. You're looking for something fresh | | | | makes it really easy to convince your friends |
| and new that will just work. Well Google | | | | to make the switch.Another feature that is |
| feels the same way. On Wednesday August 24th | | | | greatly appreciated in Google Talk is the way |
| they released their version of AIM, Google | | | | it works directly with Gmail. You can add |
| Talk.Although Google Talk and AIM do | | | | people on your contacts to the service within |
| basically the same thing, Google Talk is very | | | | the Google Talk interface, plus it will |
| different. For starters anyone can join AIM, | | | | notify you when a new email has been |
| in order to use Google Talk you need to have | | | | received. You can also go directly to your |
| a Gmail account. AIM will also let you make a | | | | Gmail inbox via a link from the |
| profile, Google Talk you can't. However there | | | | interface.This next feature won't mean much |
| are more features on Google Talk that are | | | | to the average user, but to some misfortunate |
| left out in AIM.Google Talk's main feature is | | | | geeks with low RAM it may. Google Talk |
| being able to call friends that are on your | | | | consumes around 3MB of RAM. AOL Instant |
| list. Call means being able to talk through a | | | | Messenger takes around 9MB. If you have a lot |
| microphone to them and they respond through | | | | of other programs open and you can't afford |
| theirs, much like the service Skype. There is | | | | to waste RAM Google Talk will work |
| a similar feature in the current version of | | | | great.Google Talk is also much cleaner |
| AIM; however it's not as easy to use.Let's | | | | looking than AIM. There are no ads and no |
| say you're talking to someone in the | | | | added crap like a stock ticker or news |
| conversation window. You decide that this | | | | ticker. However the one thing that I'd like |
| conversation would work a lot better over the | | | | to see in Google Talk is notifications that |
| phone. Well don't get up and dial a number, | | | | tell you when someone logs on or off. This |
| simply plug in the microphone and headphones | | | | feature has been available in AIM for about 2 |
| and guess what you're connected, just like a | | | | years.There some other things that could be |
| phone. All you have to do is press the "Call" | | | | enhanced. In the settings menu I'd like to |
| button in the window, you'll hear a dial | | | | see a setting to customize how often it |
| tone, and when the other user accepts you're | | | | checks the Gmail mailbox, customize sounds, |
| connected.At the top of the window, when call | | | | and more customization for |
| is activated, you'll see a volume meter for | | | | notifications.Staying on the topic of |
| your friend and one for you. All it takes is | | | | customization I'd like to see, in later |
| a click of a button, how easy is that?The | | | | versions, the option to add categories in |
| other easy thing about Google Talk is the | | | | your friends list. Something so you could put |
| simplicity behind making a customized | | | | all your family under one list, friends under |
| message. When you're online you'll have a | | | | the others and so on.Overall I wouldn't rush |
| small snippet under your name. You can | | | | out and download Google Talk quite yet. Right |
| customize that to whatever you want, that | | | | now I'd think that it would be more |
| could be considered somewhat of a profile. | | | | convenient to corporations so that employees |
| You can also see peoples' away messages right | | | | can interact with each other. It won't take |
| under their name. Making an away message is | | | | down AIM, because AIM is just too popular, |
| just as simple as changing the text under | | | | but it might steal some Yahoo! Messenger or |
| your name. Just go to the drop down list | | | | MSN users.This article was originally posted |
| under your name in the window (not the | | | | on this is the full article, screen shots |
| friends list) and go to the "Custom Message" | | | | are avilable at offers just about |
| with the red circle next to it.Google has | | | | everything. We've got music, games, on demand |
| also added a feature to make it easier to | | | | video, podcasts, sports, and of course |
| sign up for the service. When you select to | | | | technology.If you've got a tech problem we |
| add a friend you can insert an email address | | | | also offer a technology podcast and a |
| that isn't a Gmail one. All it does is email | | | | detailed Help Center with answers to just |
| the person letting them know about the | | | | about anything. |