"Instant Messenging"

Gadu-Gadu


(Polish for "chit-chat"; commonly known as GG or gg) is a Polish instant messaging client using its own protocol. Gadu-Gadu is the most popular IM service in Poland, with over 7.8 million registered accounts and approximately 6.5 million users online daily.
Gadu-Gadu uses its own proprietary protocol. As with ICQ, users are identified by unique serial numbers. Protocol's features include status messages, file sharing, and VoIP. Users may format and embed images in messages. Since client version 6.0, an experimental secure connection[vague] mode can be used.


Skype

(IPA: [skaɪp]) is software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service and to free-of-charge numbers are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.
The system was created by entrepreneurs Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis, and a team of software developers based in Tallinn, Estonia. The Skype Group has its headquarters in Luxembourg, with offices in London, Tallinn, Tartu, Stockholm, Prague, and San Jose.
Skype has experienced rapid growth in popular usage since the launch of its services. The company was acquired by eBay in September 2005 for $2.6 billion.
The word 'Skypecasting' is a portmanteau of 'Skype' and 'podcasting'. Its original usage referred to recording Skype voice over IP voice calls and teleconferences. The recordings would be used as podcasts, which allow audio or video content to be syndicated over the Internet. Skype launched a "Skypecasts Beta" service in 2006 where it remained in beta until its end in September 2008. Skypecasts hosted public conference calls, up to 100 people at a time. Unlike ordinary Skype p2p conference calls, Skypecasts support moderation features suitable for panel discussions, lectures, and town hall forums. Skype operated a directory of public Skypecasts. On August 26, 2008, Skype announced that Skypecasts would be discontinued beginning September 1, 2008. 1 September 2008 at 12:00 GMT, Skypecasts were shutdown without any concrete explanation.

Xfire

(pronounced "X-fire") is a freeware instant messaging service targeted at gamers, that also serves as a game server browser and has various other features. It is currently available for Microsoft Windows. Xfire was originally developed by Ultimate Arena based in Menlo Park, California.
In 2003, at a company formerly called Ultimate Arena gaming, Xfire was originally developed by Garrett Blythe and Chris Kirmse. Many employees have contributed to its development since then, including the former CEO Mike Cassidy (former CEO of Direct Hit), COO David Lawee and Dennis "Thresh" Fong (former U.S. Champion of Quake).
On April 25, 2006, Xfire was acquired by Viacom in a $102-million deal.
In September 2006, Sony was misinterpreted to have announced that Xfire would be used for the PlayStation 3. Instead, what they actually meant was that only one PS3 game, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom was to use some of the features, with more game support planned for the future.
On May 7, 2007, Xfire announced they have over 7 million registered users.
On June 13, 2007, Mike Cassidy, CEO and co-founder, departed the company to work for venture capital firm, Benchmark Capital. Adam Boyden, VP Business Development & Marketing was assigned to take his place and manage the company for a temporary period.