We’ve all heard of subscription creep, or at least experienced it. $50 a month for internet, $35 for the phone, way too much for cable, a few magazine subscriptions, the list goes on and on. But what really got me the other day was IM creep. I was talking to a friend in Iraq via a message board, and he asked me what my AIM was. AIM. What’s that, ICQ? No? It’s yet another Instant Messenger.
I’m already using Yahoo IM, Skype, and two different M$ IM accounts (one for the laptop, one for the desktop). And when I sign into my Gmail, people nab me on Google Chat. And then I log into Facebook, and yes, another @#(%&^# IM application. You would think that would be enough, but no, now I need AIM. Enough!
Today, I ran into a new program called Digsby. which promises to unite practically every IM known to man, plus email accounts and social networks. For Free. Amazing – but what’s the catch?
Download Digsby
Those of you who know me know that I’m always looking for the angle when it comes to free software online. They’ve gotta be in it for some reason, right? Well, yes, there’s bundleware in the installer, but you can decline it all.
Here’s how to Install Digby step-by-step, and avoid all the bundleware.
First, you click Accept to begin the installation.
Next, it presents the opportunity to install Yahoo toolbar for Internet Explorer. Decline.
Then, Smartshopper. I’ve never heard about it before, but anyway, Decline.
Another one – Seekeen. Decline!
And next we see Desktop Weather from The Weather Channel – this one might actually be useful. I think I’ll install this one. Accept!
On and on we go, this time they want us to try Registry Power Cleaner. Whatever. Decline. Will this ever end?
Yes, it looks like it will. One last attempt to hijack your Internet Explorer homepage, and to make Yahoo the default search engine. Up to you, Yahoo isn’t a bad search engine – personally, I’m happy with my current choice of search engine and homepage.
Whew! That was a lot of effort, but I think it will be worth it. I love free software, but I hate bundleware. So there you have it – how to install Digsby and unite all your IM applications. I’m installing it now, and I’ll let you know how it goes for me in an upcoming blog post.
Oh yeah, Merry Christmas 