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Stradlater · Mar 26, 2006, 12:50 PM

Chax is a collection of minor modifications and additions that make using Apple's iChat more enjoyable. Some major features include:

Tabbed chats in a single window
Auto-accept text chats, skipping new message notification window
Unread message notifications in the dock
Growl notifications for new messages
Customizable contact list fonts
Animated user icons
Automatically reconnect when disconnected
Auto-accept file transfers
Always on top for windows, including video chats
Use Address Book nicknames instead of full names
Warning before messaging mobile users
Custom auto-reply message
Save custom window position for each contact
Activity window logs status changes of other users
Built-in log viewer

I always hear people saying they use Adium primarily for tabs. Well, now you don't have to.

Kevin · Mar 26, 2006, 01:02 PM

I use Adium primarily to get on other networks in one easy to use Window that isn't buggy.

If you can do that....

TETENAL · Mar 26, 2006, 01:05 PM

You can get on other networks in iChat via Jabber.

Stradlater · Mar 26, 2006, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

I use Adium primarily to get on other networks in one easy to use Window that isn't buggy.

If you can do that....

You can do that with a Jabber account, though you have to first set it up outside of iChat.

eevyl · Mar 26, 2006, 01:19 PM

How easy is to do that with a Jabber account? What level of compatibility with the service do you get?

You know, getting any number of service accounts in Adium is a no brainer.

TETENAL · Mar 26, 2006, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by eevyl

How easy is to do that with a Jabber account?

jabber.org.au have a web-form where you can set up the transports. It's very easy to do that.

http://www.jabber.org.au/ichat

If you want to use another jabber-server you have to use something like Psi to set up the transports first, then you can use iChat.

Stradlater · Mar 26, 2006, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by eevyl

How easy is to do that with a Jabber account? What level of compatibility with the service do you get?

You know, getting any number of service accounts in Adium is a no brainer.

Given your sig, I can safely assume you're an Adium enthusiast.

Jabber set-up is a one-time thing and relatively painless, though of course Adium's built-in option will be slightly easier. If the user doesn't want to take the time to do the one-time, initial set-up, maybe he's better off with Adium.

Of course, users that don't rely on multi-protocol support (beyond AIM, previously-set-up Jabber, Gtalk...) don't have to worry even about this minor inconvenience.

All things are a matter of preference, and those that prefer iChat and iChat's server compatibility but like some of the features offered over it in Adium now have the option to extend iChat.

Stradlater · Mar 26, 2006, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

jabber.org.au have a web-form where you can set up the transports. It's very easy to do that.

http://www.jabber.org.au/ichat

If you want to use another jabber-server you have to use something like Psi to set up the transports first, then you can use iChat.

Wow; I didn't realize it had even gotten easier. Here's another server that allows web-based registration:

http://www.ijabber.com/

Hi I'm Ben · Mar 26, 2006, 05:05 PM

Even with the extra features iChat will continue to be ugly, and less customizable than Adium. The only benefit to using iChat is a little better file transfer and audio/video.

Stradlater · Mar 26, 2006, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ben

Even with the extra features iChat will continue to be ugly...

A matter of opinion.

...and less customizable than Adium.

More customizability does not always mean better. iChat+Chax does everything that I and many others could possibly want.

The only benefit to using iChat is a little better file transfer and audio/video.

Which is a big selling point. Not to mention the option to be logged-in in the background.

Kevin · Mar 26, 2006, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Stradlater

You can do that with a Jabber account, though you have to first set it up outside of iChat.

No, I tried that. It works, sorta. Barely. But you also have to have TWO different iChat windows open.

One for AIM, one for Jabber. Which kinda defeats the purpose.

Until I can get a reliable connection to those services, and them be all in one userlist, I don't see any appealing reason to switch.

iChat's support for other networks is horrible. Half the time people don't show up, or get half your messages.

eevyl · Mar 27, 2006, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by Stradlater

Given your sig, I can safely assume you're an Adium enthusiast.

As a matter of fact, I'm a retired developer of Adium X. I guess you can call that "Adium enthusiast".

Anyway, I should try that iChat multiprotocol wonders but what I heard about it was more along the lines of what Kevin said.

CaptainHaddock · Mar 27, 2006, 02:52 AM

I assume that if you channel MSN chat through Jabber, functions like file transfer won't work. Is that correct?

badtz · Mar 30, 2006, 03:15 AM

Chax has brought nearly ALL of my wants in iChat to a reality.

Ability to put a chat window "Always on Top". ....

Tabbed Chatting .....

Automatic Reconnect ....

Animated Buddy Icons .....

etc. ....

mindwaves · Mar 30, 2006, 08:06 AM

Chax: switch back to iChat from Adium!

Never! Adium works fine for me. I love it!

rickey939 · Mar 30, 2006, 08:13 AM

Wow, Chax is very nice indeed. Thank you for the information.

tooki · Mar 30, 2006, 03:27 PM

Adium still seems to fall flat on its face for some things, like direct connections. The last time I tried Adium, it deleted my entire buddy list off the AIM server.

So while I realize that it may have a lot of users, iChat is a far more reliable and less-wonky AIM client, and Chax fills in some of the gaps.

tooki

Kevin · Mar 30, 2006, 08:45 PM

iChat is over all a better polished more stable app, I agree. If it did the all all networks in one user list as reliable as Adium does, I'd switch in a heartbeat.

I was hoping it would, but was disappointed.

:dragonflypro: · Mar 30, 2006, 10:54 PM

Is it possible to get everything in a single buddy list? That is multiple services in one list…

macintologist · Mar 30, 2006, 11:41 PM

*donates to Chax developer*

Stradlater · Mar 31, 2006, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by :dragonflypro:

Is it possible to get everything in a single buddy list? That is multiple services in one list…

It's possible if you go completely through Jabber and use the AIM transport, as well. From what I've heard, though, you'd be sacrificing things like D.C. and audio/video support—at that point you might prefer Adium. If you must communicate through AIM and others, I'd use the others through Jabber, but save AIM for its own buddy list—a concession to retain features.