19 free web based instant messaging services

Instant messaging is a popular form of communication among net users, because it's real time and fast and perfect for a quick short message. But because it's also a favorite time waster in schools, colleges and offices, instant messengers are often blocked in such places. So came web based instant messengers. Web based messengers allow you to chat with your buddies directly from within the browser, without installing any IM client, thus effectively bypassing the block. Web based messengers are quite popular among students and workers, in fact, it's become so popular that now many of these services too are blocked in schools and offices. That's why you need to know plenty of such websites offering this service. Here is a list of 19. You will find at least a couple of them available at your office/school/college.

1. Meebo is one of the original Ajax-based web instant messaging program which supports multiple IM services, including Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ  and Jabber. Your network administrator probably has this one already blocked.

2. Yahoo! Messenger for the Web is a Flash based Yahoo! Messenger program from Yahoo!. Except the "Join Rooms" option, most of the options you find on the desktop client, you will find on this service. Yahoo! Web Messenger also allows you to chat with friends on MSN.

3. MSN Web Messenger is the web based version of MSN Messenger that has all the basic features necessary to chat with your friends on the MSN network.

4. MessengerFX is another web based service for the MSN network.

5. AIM Express allows you to login to the AIM network. It has sound alerts for new messages and even allows you to send SMS text messages to a cell phone.

6. ILoveIM Web Messenger connects you with MSN, Yahoo, AIM and Google Talk network. It also supports chat conferences.

7. eBuddy supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM, GTalk and MySpace network. eBuddy can also be accessed from your mobile phones, iPhone and PDAs. It supports chat conferences too.

8. KoolIM supports a wide range of IM networks including Yahoo, MSN, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, GTalk, Xfire and a few others. KoolIM does not require registration to use, but signing up for an account enables you to save your network IDs.

9. kk UR ok is for chatting and flirting, as they put it. It allows you to login to the Yahoo, AIM, MSN, ICQ, GTalk and Jabber networks.

10. Mabber lets you chat with your AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google buddies and also send messages. Registration is required to use this service. Mabber is also available in your mobile phones.

11. EasyMessenger supports MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo! and Jabber networks. Registration is required.

12. Soashable is an open source ajax-based instant messaging service that supports the MSN, AIM and Yahoo network.

13. ImHaHa allows you to login to Yahoo, MSN, AIM, QQ and ICQ network. You can create an account on ImHaHa and migrate all your existing account on various network which will enable you to login to all networks with a single login. It supports chat conferences.

14. radiusIM supports all the major networks: MSN, AIM/ICQ, Yahoo, and GTalk/Jabber. After your register and login to your account, you need to choose your location. Your friends will show up as a list and also as pictures inside a map. People whose location you don't know are shown  around the map. You can drag or zoom the map to a new place to see new people from that area, something like Google maps.

15. IMunitive is another web based messaging service that connects you to the MSN, Yahoo and AIM network.

16. imo.im is yet another simple web based messaging service that supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, Google, MySpace and Skype network. This is the only web based service supporting Skype.

17. Instant-t Messenger is a relatively recent service that allows you to chat with your Yahoo, MSN, AIM, ICQ and Google talk buddies. Instant-t Messenger is also available as a desktop client supporting all of the mentioned protocols.

18. Communication Tube supports four IM networks namely ICQ, GTalk, MSN Messenger and IRC.

19. Centova Online requires you to sign up for their service. After logging in you have to add contacts from MSN, AIM, Yahoo, ICQ and Jabber network that requires a few extra steps. Personally, I didn't like it.