Stop Google Talk

9th post of my Stop Google serie.

What is it?

Google Talk is Google's instant messaging service (and VoIP), using the standard XMPP protocol. For some "unknown" reasons, Google is in the process of replacing it with proprietary and closed service "Google Hangouts".

Like standard email protocol used in GMail allows people to send emails to other people even if they are not using GMail, people using other XMPP servers/clients can chat with GTalk users, which won't be the case anymore with Google Hangouts.

Alternatives

Obviously, the main alternative is XMPP, which is the standard instant messaging protocol. It's a client-server protocol.

• Servers:
  • ejabberd (See my quick ejabberd installation tutorial)
  • jabberd
  • iChat Server/Messages Server
• Clients:
  • Adium
  • Empathy
  • Gajim
  • Kopete
  • Pidgin
  • Telepathy