Omega Messenger 3.5

Overview

In this booming online social world it’s not uncommon for people to use different protocols or networks to keep in touch with friends. With Gtalk, MSN, AIM etc. we now have several different options to chose from. However for those who use multiple networks, having different programs to use them can be cumbersome and resource wasting. Omega Messenger aims to alleviate this problem by offering an all in one communication tool.

Installation

The setup package is only 3MB in size and takes a few seconds to download. Installation process is relatively straightforward however during the process it does try to slip a system optimizer software by you. Make sure to uncheck this option if you don’t want this extra software. After installation however you still get a shortcut on your desktop, which redirects you to install the extra software. Omega Messenger supports all major versions of Windows.

Interface

The general UI is relatively straightforward. There aren’t a lot of options or customizations available for the user. You simply choose the network you want to login, enter your credentials and start using it straight away. Even though Omega Messenger does have a minimalistic UI, it is still quite unsightly. Everything from the fonts used, to the icons and the general design of the software gives it a very outdated look. It is however very easy to get around and most amateur users will find it quite easy to use.

Pros

It supports all major protocols like MSN, Yahoo, ICQ etc. The program is also very light on system resources and generally unobtrusive. For those networks that support email messaging, it also shows an unread messages count on top of the contacts list. Omega Messenger is not resource hungry, making this a very snappy program even on low end systems.

Cons

Even though it supports the biggest networks, the list is still very small for nowadays. There is no Facebook, Skype or Jabber support, which are one of the most popular social networks today used by millions of people. It also needs a major UI overhaul because in its current state it looks very outdated. Other than this it needs more customization options for example custom notifications settings, setting different color themes for chat windows etc.

Alternatives

Trillian is one of the most popular multi-IM client used today. It supports all major networks and is available on all major operating systems, which includes Mac OS and Linux. It even has Android and iOS support. Furthermore it offers a beautiful and intuitive UI that blends in well with the rest of your desktop.

Conclusion

Omega Messenger does what it sets out to do. Supporting four of the top networks, it works well without a hitch. However it badly needs a UI overhaul and support for more protocols like Facebook and Skype. It’s also far too simple for a modern day multi-IM software. There aren’t enough options to modify the software to fit the end users. If it can somehow overcome these issues it can pose a serious challenge to the likes of Trillian.