Is multi-IM client Digsby good enough for me?

In all of my computer/Internet addicted life I've always used MSN Messenger. I really liked it. I mean, it was easy to use, every person I knew had one, easy to install, etc. You could put pictures in your conversations so others could see you, send files, get email notifications through it and a lot more.

My point is that Msn Messenger was (is) a very good IM (instant messaging) program. But after a while the social networks came into the picture (Myspace, Facebook, etc) with their chat-boxes.

A cool feature too, but personally I didn't like the fact that I needed to keep a browser window opened so I could chat through it. So I ended up not chatting so much as I would want to. Then I stumble with another dilemma: friends with OTHER type of IM clients like Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Skype, etc. It was VERY frustrating because I had a zillion IM clients installed on my computer because, well, you just can't convince each of your friends to use the same IM services as you do, plus I couldn't add other IM accounts to my MSN messenger.

So, I gave up and decided to look for some way to have all of my contacts where my evil hand could reach them. It was then that I discovered Digsby. Digsby is a multi-IM client. Yes, you heard right, it means that you can have as many different accounts as you want in one client. For example, let's say you have one account from each IM service like Yahoo Messenger, Msn Messenger and Google Talk, you don't want to have all programs running at the same time but you would really like to see each of your different account contacts available on the same buddy list in case you wanted to talk to them. With Digsby you can do that, and even more.

After a while it got even better. Not only you could add your IM-accounts to your Digsby, now you could add your social networks account too. It means that you can have Myspace and Facebook chat-boxes in the same windows with your contacts sorted in any way you want to. Digsby can do most of the stuff any IM can do like adding contacts, blocking them, transfer files, get email notifications, have a tabbed chat conversation, etc.

In terms of customization Digsby is a great program too. You can customize how the overall program looks (skins) and even change your conversation styles too. It has many themes for you to select.

I've been using Digsby for like 2 years now, and until now it's been great. Some cons that I could mention based on my experience are:

-Conversation windows need bigger contact pictures
-Sometimes file transfers get stuck. It doesn't happen very often though.

My conclusion:

If you are using more than one IM-client and/or some social network accounts that you would like to use through the same IM-client service, Digsby is your best option. Otherwise if you are really happy with one IM-client i.e. Msn Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, etc. then let's just say that Digsby is not so highly recommended for you, but give it a try anyways!

If you want to know more about it here is Digsby's website: http://www.digsby.com/

Hope you find this useful,
frao