# Chat app for PC computers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937 "2014-03-05T16:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/1 "2014-03-05T16:56:31Z")
At work I am chained to my computer, not my phone. I like to chat with some friends, but it is all across different formats, Yahoo messenger, facebook, skype, etc. Is there an app for a PC computer that allows me to be in one place and chat to all the different formats ? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/2 "2014-03-05T16:59:57Z")
> **[Trillian | Modern and secure instant messaging](https://www.trillian.im/)** > > Trillian is easy-to-use, HIPAA-compliant instant messaging for people, business, and healthcare. Send messages, share files, and much more! ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/3 "2014-03-05T19:07:58Z")
Also [http://pidgin.im/](http://pidgin.im/) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/4 "2014-03-06T00:17:07Z")
Probably none of my business, but have you checked that it’s permissible for you to do this at work? If your computer is on a managed corporate network, it’s quite likely an Admin will know what you’re doing. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/5 "2014-03-06T00:22:19Z")
And if that’s the case, try [Pidgin Portable](http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/pidgin_portable). It won’t stop them seeing the traffic, but it will get around not being able to install software to your PC. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/6 "2014-03-06T00:26:01Z")
It’s the traffic that I think is the biggest risk. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/7 "2014-03-06T11:43:49Z")
Thanks for the assistance all. Good point on the network Admins looking in, as I own the business. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/8 "2014-03-06T11:47:53Z")
Thanks for the assistance all. Good point on the network Admins looking in however I own the business. So for me, at least, not a concern. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/9 "2014-03-06T13:17:25Z")
Ah, not a problem in that case. I also recommend Pidgin. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chat-app-for-pc-computers/682937/10 "2014-03-06T23:57:34Z")
Pidgin doesn’t do Skype though; Trillian apparently does (I don’t know how as Pidgin claim it’s IMpossible).