Who’s afarid of kicking out their old IM software and replacing it with something new and exciting? To tell you the truth almost everyone. After a while people begin to come attached to their software, particularly the software they use to communicate. This stems from the need for people to have a sense of security and fimilarance(I think I made that word up 
) around a piece of software.
I on the other hand have no qualms taking my first IM software, MSN, and throwing it out of my life. The bloated, smiley ridden piece of garbage. Instead I have opted to use a smaller, smiley free, several protocol piece called Miranda. This allows me to talk on msn, google, irc, icq, aim and a few others.
I am also using Gtalk recently. I am on a campaign to switch as many people from my contact lists to Gtalk for two reasons. One, I want to see if I can be responsible for a mass immgration of software in an area. And two, it is a really good program that I think people should embrace.
I also have Skype, which I use for making calls to friends. But I have recently found, (this morning actually) a program called Festoon. It looks very promising. It allows you to make video/audio calls with Skype or Gtalk. And now the standard down and dirty calls all IM allow you to make, but supposedly higher quailty calls. I have no proof, but I will post my findings later this afternoon.
