Geek and a Half

September 4th, 2007 by Jake

I was recently invited to join the Trillian Astra Alpha Preview, and I must say I’m impressed. While it’s still an alpha release, and there are bugs, there are also MAJOR improvements over Trilian 3.x.

Their central theme is “one contact for all contacts”, if that makse sense. So, you have one contact which in turn holds all your other contacts. My “AstraContact” is SpikeX, and it holds all my IM account information, for AIM, MSN, Google Talk, etc. They have strict privacy controls, as well, allowing you to restrict who can view what.

They’re also going mobile (in two ways). They have a very nice flash-based website that will act as a Meebo-like clone, and then they have this “TrillianMini” thing, it’s pretty much a forum signature banner that shows off your contacts. Oh, and they have an iPhone site set up, too. Whoop-de-frickin-do.

Here’s my Trillian Mini:

(Requires Flash)

Not much, I know, but I’m sure it will be perfected im time for the final release.

There are quite a few bugs I can point out still, but overall it’s coming along very well. If Google Talk doesn’t get its act together and release some updates, I might just switch to Trillian.

February 8th, 2007 by Jake

Remember Trillian, the feature-ful multi-protocol free IM program? Well they’re back, and better than ever.

Check out the new version of Trillian, code-named Astra over at the BigBlueBall. Trillian Astra is a completely redesigned version of Trillian which sports faster load times, a sleek new interface, and a new web service they’re calling your “Astra Profile” which basically allows you to take your Trillian connection settings with you wherever you go (sign in using someone else’s Astra or use the web interface. You can even chat using the web interface! (Meebo killer? Only if it has a sleek, unfied design.)). In fact, that seems to be the new trend among internet related companies, taking your stuff with you wherever you go. The new Maxthon2 Beta allows you to create an online profile and store favorites and other settings remotely.

Overall, if the speed increases stay in place and the Astra Profile is designed well, I think Trillian Astra could be a success.