Screenshot of Trillian version 0.74 Trillian is a multiprotocol instant messaging application for Windows created by Cerulean Studios that can connect to multiple IM programs from one client, such as AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, IRC, Novell, Rendezvous, and Jabber networks (the latter three with Trillian Pro which allows for plug-ins).
Released July 1, 2000, as freeware, the first commercial version (Trillian Pro 1.0) was released on September 10, 2002. Trillian's creators have promised to continue to support and maintain a free version of Trillian, yet it remains a closed source application.
The program was named after Trillian, a fictional character in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
The latest version of Trillian (3.0) uses Wikipedia to reference terms using its "instant-lookup" feature.
Skins
Both Trillian Basic and Pro support advanced XML-based skinning using Cerulean Studios' own SkinXML. Various interface, emoticon, and sound packs can be loaded as well. Skins and the previously mentioned packs are available for free at the main Trillian website, including the default skin designed by designHazard.
Plug-ins
Trillian is a closed source application, but the Pro version can be extended by plug-ins. Plug-ins by Cerulean Studios itself include spell-check, weather updater, e-mail checker, winamp song title scroller, stock exchange monitor, and RSS feedreader, as well as a plug-in for the Jabber network. Others have developed various plug-ins, such as a games plug-in which can be used to play chess and checkers, a protocol plug-in to send NetBIOS messages through Trillian, or an automatic translator for many European languages to and from English.
Plug-ins are available for free and are hosted at the main Trillian website, but will only work with the Pro version of Trillian.
History
July 1, 2000
First Release, 0.50/0.51 of Trillian with IRC support.
August 11, 2000
The next version of Trillian (0.52/0.521) released with many more irc specific features.
November 29, 2000
Instant messaging arrives with AIM, ICQ and MSN in version 0.60. Many other features are also added.
December 23, 2000
Version 0.61 released. Includes Yahoo support.
January 28, 2001
Version 0.62 released.
March 23, 2001
Version 0.63 released.
June 04, 2001
Version 0.635 released.
June 20, 2001
Version 0.6351 released.
December 05, 2001
Version 0.70 released. File transfers have arrived!
December 18, 2001
Version 0.71 released. First major IM client to include Encrypted IM.
January 29-February 20, 2002
Version 0.72,0.721,0.722,0.723,0.724 and 0.725 released. Fixed some AIM Connection issues.
June 7, 2002
Version 0.73 released.
September 10, 2002
Version 0.74 released.
Trillian Pro version 1.0 released.
September 9, 2003
Trillian Pro version 2.0 released.
November, 2004
Trillian Pro version 3.0 in beta.
December 17, 2004
Trillian Basic and Pro versions 3.0 released.
See also
External links
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