I agree that Google Talk's main advantage is that it isn't crowded with awfulness over grossly over-featured liek so many other IM clients. They explicitly state that they were going for the stripped-down essence of chat, and they got it. Good for them. I love it. |
[moved]
Steve Gillmor on Google Talk:
"The idea behind good technology is calm. GooChat is good and calm. Even as pinheads roam the GooglePlex issuing blacklists against news organizations, engineers create smooth ponds of application space, clean rooms where clarity emerges like a a cupped hand from a mountain brook.
You dont agree? Fine. But try GooChat and then flip back to AIM or even Skype. Its like the difference between the Mac and the PC. In fact, its turned my PC into a Mac for the moment."
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Gillmor/?p=144 |
Someone who seems to agree: http://boakes.org/installing-google-talk
In summary then:
* It doesnt innovate: in either the IM or the VOIP world,
* It has fewer features than other clients or networks that do similar things.
but
* It has millions of ready made users with gmail accounts.
* It has a surprisingly respectful user interface that is a joy to use.
* It has potential to be extended from day one (unlike AIM or YIM where the owners have fought to keep the protocols closed and proprietary.
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