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MessFun.com - This site offers all kinds of freebies for instant messenger programs, such as those provided by MSN, Yahoo! and AOL. Included here are free MSN display pictures, emoticons, wallpapers and lots more besides. MessFun.com also provides instant messenger status checkers, so you can see who's online before you log in. They even include suggestions for comical MSN nicknames.

FreeJavaChat.com - Offers free chat rooms to add to your Web site. FreeJavaChat.com is able to provide a 100% free service with no banner adverts or other annoying gimmicks. You can use mIRC or the Java chat applet in any Web browser, plus users can take advantage of private messaging, IRC commands, a simple mode, etc. This service also includes various other features.

FunkySmilies.co.uk - At FunkySmilies.co.uk, you can locate a wide range of free emoticons (more commonly known as "smileys"). Here, you'll find free emoticon images for messenger programs (e.g. MSN Messenger and AOL IM), chat rooms and e-mails. Their comprehensive directory organises a wide range of smileys into various categories, so you can easily find what you're searching for.

MySmiley.net - This site offers hundreds of free emoticons (also called "smilies") in various categories. Each set is arranged according to the mood each smiley is depicting, e.g. "sad", "happy", "grins", "confused", etc. This site is anti-spyware, anti-spam, and simply provides free smilies for use in instant messaging programs (i.e. MSN or Yahoo!), MySpace or any other service you can think of.

ParaChat - Want to add a chat room to your Web site? ParaChat's "free" package provides a feature-rich, remotely hosted Java chat room, allowing for real-time interaction. As a Webmaster, you can cutomise the colour and language of the chat room, and also integrate it seamlessly into your site's page. For creating user appeal and repeat visits, ParaChat is an excellent tool.

Gaim - An open-source instant messaging client, which allows you to simultaneously chat with users of the following networks and programs: AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger and Zephyr. Gaim is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Linux, BSD and MacOS X. The program can be customised to your preferences.

Emoinstaller.com - Here's a fantastic and well-designed site that offers free emoticon (smiley) installer packs for MSN messenger. Using these, you can add additional emoticons to your MSN messenger program and liven up your conversations with all kinds of quirky and fun images. There are numerous installer packs available here so be sure to check them all out.

Freeola Chat - A free chat community that's based around a series of message boards. Freeola Chat is a fun place to talk about games, gossip, films, life and more. By participating in the discussions, visitors have a chance of being singled out to win ?0 worth of Argos or Amazon vouchers. If you're feeling creative, you can even start your own forum, and take charge with moderation privileges.

FreeChatCode.com - FreeChatCode.com is a free Java chat room service for Webmasters. Here, you can create your own personalised chat room and then include it on your Web site. The chat room provided is easy to customise with your existing site and allows an unlimited number of users, with the additional option for private chat. This free service is supported by advertisements.

Teenfront.co.uk - A well-designed, popular and quality Web site dedicated to teenagers. Teenfront.co.uk features free chat rooms, free MSN emoticons, teen forums, competitions, free electronic greeting cards, movie trailers, game reviews, celebrity gossip and lots more besides. In fact, even if you're not a teenager, you're likely to find something of interest here.

ChatAge.com - Provides free online chat rooms for teens and adults alike. ChatAge.com features three room categories: general (for all ages), teens and adults (for 18 years and over). The chat rooms here are moderated to ensure safety for younger chatters, although we advise caution in any Internet chat room. Don't give away your personal details or arrange to meet anyone online!

BitWise - A free instant messenger program that will encrypt your chat conversations, making them far more private and secure. BitWise, unlike some other instant messengers, supports offline messaging and functions on Microsoft Windows, Linux and also MacOS X. It even supports file sharing, voice chat, file encryption and features various availability modes, such as "invisible".

Boldchat - Ever wanted to add a "live help" facility to your Web site? Boldchat is a free live chat service that allows you to interact in real-time with your visitors. It is particularly useful for providing technical support with a product, or for responding to queries from potential customers. The free version available here is fully functional, although you can't really customise the layout.

Trillian - If you've ever had numerous messaging programs installed on your computer at once it can be extremely irritating when switching from one to another. Trillian solves this slight problem by providing a clever integrated program that can communicate directly with AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, ICQ and IRC. The latest version has many features, which can be seen at the developer's site.

ICQ - ICQ is a popular and legendry 4MB application that allows you to chat in real-time with other ICQ users and post instant text messages to them. Once registered, you'll receive a personal ID number that you can give to your friends, family and other ICQ buddies. Users can also send and receive files, play games and use the ICQ network to find relatives and friends.

mIRC - A popular client that utilises IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and allows users of the service to communicate in real-time with people from all over the globe. Using mIRC, you can exchange text messages in an instant while being connected over a "chat network". There are hundreds of useful features, more of which are explained in great detail at the official mIRC Web site (see link above).

MyJabber - MyJabber is your gateway to the world of dependable, easy-to-use instant messaging and group conferencing. Being lightweight, configurable and very user friendly, MyJabber has quickly become a program of choice for users of AIM, Yahoo! and MSN Messenger. Additionally, MyJabber hosts its own private user chat rooms. The program is also fully customisable with sounds, etc.