In the Meebo, Adium, and Pidgin three communication tools with strange names post Tyler pointed to the three top instant Message (IM) aggregators, Meebo, Adium and Pidgin and also explained how these tools could enhance the learning environment.

While I have yet to find a web-based tool that works as good as Meebo, I have made the move from Adium to Pidgin as my primary application based IM aggregator for the following reasons:

• Simplest and most efficient interface
• Adding IM accounts is almost foolproof
• Supports more services
• Cross platform (Mac PC, Linux/Unix)
• Supports 3rd party plugins

Educational uses:

• Connect, engage and communicate with students using a tool that they all use.
• Collaborate with peers in real time.