I am searching for an alternative for msn messenger.
Should support video chat with other msn users, be spyware-free, and
have a less draconian eula than msn messenger (I would need a lawyer
to even understand that one fully)

cheap and easy to use would be a bonus too :)

I found a few alternatives, but none seem to support video

Hello Zem,

For ad-free, spyware free, non-browser-hijacking IM with audio and
video chat support that will allow you to communicate with other MSN
users (as well as put your MSN, AIM, ICQ and Jabber contacts all on
one list), the client you're looking for is Cerulean Studios'
Trillian:

Trillian
http://www.trillian.cc

Trillian is quick to download, easy to use, and the EULA is written in
plain English (essentially "You can give away copies of Basic Trillian
as long as you leave our copyright notice on it, you can't share
licensed copies of Trillian, don't share your password and don't even
think about reverse engineering it, bub.")

Trillian is available in two versions - Basic, which supports
everything but video chat, and Pro, which costs $25, includes a full
year of upgrades and technical support, and supports video:

Trillian Features Comparison
http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/features/

I've used Trillian for several years now, and like it well enough that
I upgraded to Pro last summer.

I notice that Mister2u-ga has offered a couple suggestions below. 
Gaim, originally meant for Linux, does have a Windows port:

Windows Gaim
http://gaim.sourceforge.net/win32/index.php

...but apparently has some compatibility issues and doesn't seem to
support MSN Video chat yet.  There is a project in the works for MSN
Video Chat support:

Gaim-vv
http://gaim-vv.sourceforge.net/

...but the installation FAQ has a big disclaimer right at the top: 
"Please don't expect it to work."  Free, both, but not terribly easy
to install, and not helpful if they don't work.

Gaim-vv Installation
http://gaim-vv.sourceforge.net/install.html

I hope you find this helpful! 

--Missy

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Request for Answer Clarification by zem-ga on 28 Feb 2005 13:18 PST

Thanks for your answer
I actually have already tested trillian basic, but was not aware that
the pro version supported video.
However I found the following note on the feature page:
"PLEASE NOTE: Trillian currently *does not* support MSN's "webcam"
feature, only the video conference feature!"

I am not sure which of these I need, basicaly I just want to receive
video from someone who uses msn in a web-cafe (and cannot use anything
else), but I do not need to send.

Do you know whether that would work?

---

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 28 Feb 2005 18:39 PST

Hi Zem!

I don't know for certain myself, but I can find out!  Let me ask the
nice folks at Cerulean Studios, and I'll get back to you as soon as I
hear from them!

--Missy

Both aol (aim) supports web cams as does yahoo messenger. Both are
free, although the aim download will put a few "switch to AOL"
programs, icons on the computer. These are easily deleted. Yahoo
messenger allows you to play games with your contacts, chat for free,
gives music listening options, voice capabilites, file sharing and
more. Signing up is pretty basic and the format is easy to handle.
Once up and running you can then send invites to all contacts to have
them signup and download the program.

yahoo: http://messenger.yahoo.com/
aol's aim: http://www.aim.com/

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gaim/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/amsn/

http://www.mercury.to/
this one looks pretty good