What can you use the application for?
eBuddy is an online application that replaces instant messaging programs. You can log on to an instant messaging platform through the web without installing anything. It also allows you to see your friends from multiple platforms in one application.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
eBuddy was created by Paulo Taylor in 2003. It started with a friendly bet where he claimed he could make MSN Messenger work on a mobile phone. After he uploaded the program the requests came for a web based version and he launched that at the Everywhere-MSN.com website. After Microsoft complained about the naming he moved to e-messenger.net and later the company settled on eBuddy.com Although its popularity started among high school students currently eBuddy has a worldwide following.
What are the differences to other applications?
eBuddy is one of the most fully featured chat applications available. Something that is unique to eBuddy is the ability to sign in to a single instant messaging platform without creating an eBuddy ID. If you only want to chat on MSN you only need to enter your MSN login on the front page to get online. Equally unique is the support for the Myspace messaging platform.
How does the application look and feel to use?
When you log in to eBuddy the application will pop up in an external window. This window has tabs for the different conversations. If you have created an eBuddy ID you can see all your contacts in a single window. The application is icon based without a text description, this might be a bit confusing at first. When you receive a message a sound is played and the title of the window will scroll in your task bar.
How does the registration process work?
You can log in to any messenger platform without registering. If you want to log in to multiple platforms at once you need to create an eBuddy ID. This requires your email and birth date, the email address you provide is not checked. After this you can add the registration information for the different platforms.
What does it cost to use the application?
eBuddy is advertising supported. There is an ad at the bottom of their application window. This ad is relatively small and doesn't restrict the resizing of the window. eBuddy does not interfere with the chats themselves and doesn't send out any instant messages on its own.
Who would you recommend the application to?
We can fully recommend eBuddy to anyone looking for an online chat application. The ability to login to a single platform without registering is unique. For the rest they offer all the features you might require except for a message history.
