CNET Editors' review
If it isn't enough to chat with friends from Google, MySpace IM, Skype, and Facebook, as well as AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, and IRC on Trillian't multinetwork IM app, you can comfortably count the app's deep hooks into Twitter and Facebook alerts and checking e-mail (both POP3 and IMAP varieties) as reasons for switching from your current messenger.
Among its best social networking traits, Trillian will automatically shorten URLs in your tweets, and handle direct messages, re-tweets, and replies. Twitter Trends can show up in your contact list, and you can get tweets to appear in tooltip form. Facebook features include news feed integration, Facebook in-box checking, and synchronized message updating in addition to Facebook IM. Just on these features alone, Trillian Astra offers a bit more than its IM competitors.
In addition, there's support for drag-and-drop file transferring, skins, notifications, and all sorts of tweaking in the preference menu. Trillian earns a thumbs-up for previewing a Web site when you hover the cursor over a URL in the conversation window, but the same feature is less effective and less accurate when applied to looking up definitions of terms found within the chat window (luckily, you can turn the helpers off.)
Legacy users will be pleased to know that Trillian Astra (code for version 4.0 and up) runs lighter than previous versions, and you're less likely to notice system slowdowns because of memory leaks. Video chat gets basic support. The paid upgrade gives you browser-based IM from Trillian.im, full-screen video and filters, many more visual customizations, multiple simultaneous file transfer, and themes, as well as tech support. These features are available for the first 30 days you use the free version, then they deactivate. The biggest changes, besides the reskinned interface, are the long-needed performance improvements and support for a broad range of IM protocols. Longtime fans won't be disappointed with the changes, though those using the free version clearly won't get the full effect of Trillian's more-advanced features.
Watch the CNET video review of Trillian Astra:
Publisher's Description
From Cerulean Studios:
Trillian is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports chatting on Astra, Windows Live, Facebook, Yahoo, MySpace, AIM, Email, Google Talk, Skype, ICQ, Jabber, IRC, Bonjour and others. It also helps manage your social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Trillian provides capabilities not possible with most original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio and video chat, file transfers, group chats, buzzing, tabbed chats, tablet-based drawing, message history, plugins, avatars, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, typing notifications, proxy support, and encrypted messaging.
What's new in this version: Version 4.2.0.22 adds instant lookup for links, easier retweeting, simultaneous sign-in for Windows Live chat, and an organized history window.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 1,829 votes
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Current version:
2.7 starsout of 13 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"The free version is good, but don't buy it..."
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
It's easy to customize & I liked the interface. I even recommended it to several friends who primarily used Skype & Yahoo. It kept up w/most of my other instant messengers pretty well.
Cons
Seemed to eat up a lot of cpu when I had it monitoring my other messenger softwares, but I guess that's to be expected. It'd be nice if each ad'tl im program didn't need to be running for Trillian to handle them.
Summary
The free version of Trillian is good enough, & I seriously recommend avoiding spending $ on the paid version. I liked the free version so I bought Pro. Less than a month after, video calls just stopped working inexplicably. I can't see friends video & they can't see mine, but audio works. None of my other messenger programs have this problem. I've uninstalled it (using Revo Uninstaller), reinstalled it, checked & rechecked that my notebook's webcam & graphics card are set up properly w/updated drivers etc., opened ports for Trillian in my antivirus/antivirus/antimalware/firewall softwarebut, pretty much everything I could think of, but nothing works. There aren't any error messages or anything. Astra says they offer free customer & tech support for Pro users, but I've sent 4 tickets to them & heard nothing. W/out decent customer support, it's not worth the $.
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"Good at what it does, however bad for other reasons."
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Works fine, and installs quickly.
Uncluttered GUI
Low system resource usage
Works as advertised
Sound effects for emotes
Tabbed chatting keeps desktop clear
Profiles make signing on to multiple accounts a breezeCons
Bad client security. Tested and found that username and passwords are easily stolen, and transmitted into a bot net. Verified on clean installed Windows 7, and confirmed with Trend Micro's RUbotted
Trickery during install for a toolbar -
"Does what it say it does"
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Its what it say it is nothing more or less. Had no issues with using my hotmail, gmail etc...
Cons
I dont have any
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"Trillian Is okay , well cept for the updates"
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Trillian is good at allowing you to setup a single interface for dealing with multiple IM products.
Cons
I hate the updates. every time they upgrade software I end up losing info. The acct information gets lost from version to version. Which means if you have trillian automatically log you in then you do not remember the name or pwd. especially IRC
Summary
if you are into using multiple IMs, and I mean more than one, then use this product. But dont trust it to keep your info, WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE. I dunno why I say that, nobody does it, even me.
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"Easy to install and setup accounts"
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Nicely integrates all of my accounts including Hotmail, Yahoo, Aim, Facebook, etc. Works like a charm with no issues ever.
Cons
Really cant think of any.
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"Simply does not work"
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Support for several IM clients.
Cons
Tricky, deceptive installation. Tries to install toolbars and change your browser home page. BEWARE! Malware!
Doesn't work: When trying to add hotmail and skype accounts nothing happens - contacts does not show up etc etc.
HORRIBLE user interface!Summary
Don't install this client. I used to like trillian a lot, but something really bad seems to have happened to it since Astra (whoever they are) took over it.
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"I liked the old Trillian."
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Can't think of any.
Cons
More bloated and I do not like the appearance. Liked the old one better.
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"Dangerous during setup, but better after install."
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
Great IM I use it 24hrs.
Fast and uses minimal resources.
Connects to every used protocol.
Custom windowing options with pro.Cons
Tries to deceptively add crapware to your computer.
Can't recommend this, because of the tricky setup.
Lack of photo/music sharing/custom emoticons.Summary
Setup is a minefield to get through! That's what everyone is talking about.
Great IM for the minimalist; uses little resources.
Overall great for simple chat, but if you want other (newer) features look somewhere else. -
"Does what it should do, not much else"
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
It has overcome the connectivity issues with some IM clients that plagued previous versions.
Cons
Not bright enough to check for administration privileges before attempting upgrades during program launch.
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"Excellent instant messenger."
Version: Trillian Astra 4.2.0.22
Pros
I like the fact it uses less memory than other instant messengers
Cons
There is nothing to dislike
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