EBuddy - A real Buddy (ebuddy.net)

Member Name: kjmccabe

Product:	ebuddy.net
Date:	05/11/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No need to download IM software when away from your personal computer

Disadvantages: File Swapping not available

Ebuddy is a web messaging system. What that means, is that it can be used as a tool so that you can sign into your personal instant messaging account without having to download any software - which is very useful if you are using say, a computer at work or at a friends and do not have the permission or would prefer not to download any of the software.

Ebuddy is compatable with the following messanger programmes:

MSN Messenger
Yahoo IM
AOL IM
Facebook IM
Google Talk
MySpace IM
ICQ

The website is simple to use and as mentioned above you do not need to download any software. You simply log on to the homepage (www.ebuddy.net) and select which messaging system you normally use (I use it in work as a replacement for MSN Messenger) and enter the usual User Name and Password you would use to log in and it brings up an online version of the system.

From this point, the website works in the same way as the instant messaging device you are used to. A window will pop up with a list of your contacts who are online/offline and you can click on them to start an instant chat.
The funcions available on it are not as advanced as MSN messenger - below are listed a list of similarities and differences to the downloaded version of the MSN software:

Similarities:
You can chat to your friends online
You can upload a photograph
You can have 'group' conversations - ie more than two memebers in the one window
You can 'nudge'
You can search for contacts
You can add or remove contacts

Differences:
It is not possible to send files of photo graphs via this system as you can with the downloaded MSN software
The webcam facilities on this version is not very user friendly as I have experienced delays and at times, the site closes down altogether when I have tried to use it with a webcam.

Overall, this site has been a godsend to me; it lets me keep in contact with people on my work PC which helps pass those long and boring afternoons

Summary: An really good sevice, especially considering that you don't need to pay for it.