Communications

You'll find all the latest e-mail software and chat clients at CNET Download.com, as well as e-mail utilities and spam filters, VoIP software, Web phones, Webcam applications, and everything else you'll need to reach out and touch someone. See all 0 products in this category. See all 0 products in this category.

for the week of: January 04Downloads

1.
Camfrog Video Chat
Webcam Software209,503
2.
Windows Live Messenger
Chat61,142
3.
Trillian
Chat32,743
4.
ManyCam Virtual Webcam
Webcam Software30,739
Speed up your PC

Diskeeper defrags guaranteeing top PC speeds.

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Intel(r) TBB for Mac OS* v1.1

C++ library simplifies parallel programming for multi-core

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5.
Yahoo Messenger
Chat27,683
6.
MSN Messenger (Windows 98/Me)
Chat24,097
7.
Skype
Web Phones & VoIP Software16,182
Intel(r) TBB for Windows* v1.1

C++ library simplifies parallel programming for multi-core

Download Now

Memeo Share

Share photos and videos directly to the desktop.

Download Now
8.
MP3 To Ringtone Gold
SMS Tools13,750
9.
WebcamMax
Chat13,027
10.
mIRC
Chat10,070

See all most popular software

Yahoo Toolbar

Search the Web, block pop-ups, get to your mail.

Download Now

RoboForm 6.9.91

Reduce multiple passwords to one single item.

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Release date

ClicksAndWhistles Jan 05
Chat
Fastream IQ Reverse Proxy Jan 05
Dial-up Software
IntraMessenger Jan 05
Chat
Throttle Jan 05
Dial-up Software
File2Email Jan 05
E-mail Utilities
ComputerExpert 2009 Jan 05
Chat
Advanced Mail-Bomber Jan 05
E-mail Software
MP3 To Ringtone Gold Jan 05
SMS Tools
SyncCell for Motorola Jan 03
SMS Tools
PageGate Jan 03
SMS Tools

See all new releases

1.
ICQ
Communicate instantly using the latest version of this popular chat client.
2.
mIRC
Chat with other people and participate in group discussions.
3.
Yahoo Messenger
Communicate instantly with your friends on Yahoo IM using custom avatars, PC-to-PC calling, and lively emoticons.
4.
Skype
Experience free, unlimited, high-quality voice communication over the Internet.
5.
ManyCam Virtual Webcam
Add graphics and effects to your Webcam and broadcasts on messengers.
6.
WebcamMax
Add videos, screens, and effects to your Web camera and broadcast on all messengers.
7.
Mozilla Thunderbird
View e-mail and news the way you want it, with intelligent junk controls and personalized themes.
8.
Pidgin
Keep in touch with all your friends on this GTK2-based instant messenger.
9.
Mozilla Lightning
Add a calendar to your e-mail client.

See all editor's picks

from the download blog

The best new Windows programs of 2008

Posted by Seth Rosenblatt on Dec 28, 2008

Check out these six must-have, or at least must-try, new programs from the past year. Did your favorites make the cut?

Communications: Chat; Dial-up Software; E-mail Software; E-mail Utilities; SMS Tools; Spam Filters; Web Phones & VoIP Software; Webcam Software

Browse Communications: Most Popular; New Releases; Editor's Picks; User Favorites; Top Freeware

an introduction to Communications

The Internet is all about communication. From e-mail software to chat clients to the latest in VoIP software, Download.com's Communications category has everything you need to reach out and touch someone.

Of course you use e-mail, but which e-mail program should you use? A number of e-mail programs are free, from the venerable Microsoft Outlook Express to our current favorite, Mozilla Thunderbird. Thunderbird supports IMAP and POP mail protocols and can handle all your RSS feeds. It features cutting-edge antiphishing and spam filters in addition to advanced security features such as S/MIME, digital signing, and message encryption.

You'll also want to download all the latest e-mail extensions, such as spam filters and programs that notify you when e-mail is sent to your online accounts.

If you're too impatient for e-mail, chat software allows real-time communication between any two PCs. Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, MSN Messenger (soon to be Windows Live Messenger), and AOL Instant Messenger are the major players in the chat market, with ICQ still a popular choice among hard-core chat fans.

If your friends use different clients and you don't want to install them all, Trillian lets you chat with everyone regardless of chat platform, including IRC-based chat rooms.

Of course, why bother typing e-mails when you can just talk to someone over your PC? Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, allows you to turn your PC into a Web phone to call other Internet-connected PCs and talk as long as you want at no charge. Programs such as Skype, GloPhone, and BuddyTalk are painless to install and easy to use, and all three allow you to place calls to regular phones by signing up for a calling plan. For more information, check out the Download.com guide to Net Phones.

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