Let's Talk About the Google Talk(r) Client
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios

As the name would imply, Google Talk(r) is Google's(r) solution for instant messaging (IM) and chatting online; and as the name Google(r) has come to exemplify, their IM client would be innovative, efficient, probably free, have state-of-the-art features and be easy and intuitive to use. All you need, once you download the client, is an Internet connection, inexpensive speakers and microphone, (or a headset for optimal voice quality).

All set and all you need now are some friends to communicate with. You can invite them to sign up and download Google Talk(r), and invite them to sign up for Gmail(r) at the same time, since they will need to do this in order to participate. You can include any number of friends or associates from all over the world (however it is not currently possible to change language interface and it is available only using the English language). It is free to use from either end of the conversation. Good bye long distance charges.

While eMail is still more efficient than mailing a letter through the post office, a lengthy or complicated conversation can quickly become very tedious and even confusing. With the ability to easily chat online, all interested parties can then 'meet' and discuss the issues in real time. No problems with setting up and reserving 'meet numbers' and passwords, as in traditional 'conference calls' using the telephone; just schedule chats on the fly and start talking!

Google Talk(r) works best with a broadband connection but is still possible with a 56k bps dial-up modem. The downloadable client does not work with the Linux(r) or Macintosh(r) operating systems, although this may only be temporary. However, the Talk application does support standards-based communication clients, which means that Gmail users can use the service and exchange instant messages using other clients that support the standard XMPP protocol, such as Trillian(r), GAIM(r), iChat(r), Adium(r), and Psi(r). This allows users to access the Google Talk(r) service for instant messaging from all major platforms, including OSX(r), Linux(r), and Windows(r).

The Google Talk(r) client is currently in beta and you can bet your boolean that there will be a number of enhancements made before it is officially launched. The final version is slated to include the ability to encrypt the conversation to ensure privacy. As with other IM clients, it is possible to control who you allow to chat with you, enlisting blocking facilities, as well as the ability to reveal your online status or to be in 'stealth' mode (invisible).

While Google(r) does log and store certain statistical information about your calls and chats, it does not collect any personal information or the call content. However, you have the ability to store your chat conversations on your local drive, so that you can compile a chat history. I am not aware that this function is available for other ISP based chat clients. Google(r) also will periodically review your version and automatically install upgrades if your version is out of date.

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.