Note that if you already have the Google Talk client installed, you will automatically receive new mail notifications from Google Talk and you do not need to install the Notifier. But unfortunately, no Google Talk for Mac OS X version yet.

[ Download GMail Notifier ]

VoIP is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number – including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.

A subset of of VoIP services, called PC-to-phone service, is on the rise right now. With these services, users can make calls to and receive calls from regular phones on their PC’s as long they have a broadband connection, VoIP software downloaded from the Web and a headset.

One advantage of such services is the ability to make calls through an Internet-connected laptop when cellular service is unreliable. Many people also prefer the convenience of talking while working on a PC; the services can operate while you are doing other tasks on the computer. Another advantage is price. PC-to-phone VoIP rates are less expensive than conventional phone calls and in many cases cheaper than phone-to-phone VoIP services, which route calls through broadband modems to regular phones.

The first company that offer PC-to-Phone service using VoIP is Skype. Skype gives a (mostly) free VoIP service using file-sharing technology. Now other companies try to follow Skype and get a piece of the VoIP market from them. Yahoo, America Online and Microsoft (who’ve just bought Teleo, a VoIP service company) have each announced plans to add new phone services to future versions of their instant messaging programs. And last week, Google introduced Google Talk, a free service that enables users to talk through their computers and could be a first step toward a PC-to-phone service.

PC-to-phone services available today from companies like Skype, SIPphone, i2Telecom and Dialpad Communications offer many features like free PC-to-PC calling, conference calls, voice mail, choice of phone numbers, call forwarding and reduced long-distance rates, especially for international calls. But as with phone-to-phone VoIP services, call quality is not always perfect.

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1. Download the theme you want (link above).
2. Go to your Google Talk installation directory (default: C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk), and rename the application (googletalk.exe) to something else (for example: googlenotalk.exe).
3. Now unzip the theme you just downloaded, and put it into this folder.
4. Run Google Talk and voila!

Screenshot below (source):

[ Via XeroCool ]

Open up a copy of google talk on all computers with which you wish to conference. After one copy is opened make a new shortcut for google talk but at the end of it add /nomutex. If you installed it to the default folder then your shortcut should read “C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe” /nomutex. Open 2 instances of the software on every user’s computer. After this start a chain: User 1 should connect on one instance to user 2. User 2 will connect on his second instance to user 3. User 3 will connect using his second instance back to user 1. With this chain everyone is connected to everyone.

Read the original source (link below) for more detail and screenshot.

[ Source ]

Anyway, among hundreds of those GTalk-related articles, here’s one good reading, GTalk Tweaks. It lists several interesting tweaks you can use on your GoogleTalk (or GTalk). Including command parameter list, modifying the button and menu, and editing the registry key. A recommended article for those who want to take full control of their GTalk.

GTalk itself is an instant messenger software, from Google, which based on Jabber-protocol. Using GTalk, you can send message and voice chat with your friends all around the world, in real-time. To use this instant messenger, you need a GMail account, and optionally download their GTalk software (you can use other instant messenger software that also using Jabber-protocol to access GTalk).

[ Read Article ] [ Download GoogleTalk ]

Detail below:

In the about box (right click the taskbar icon) there should be this
play 23 21 13 16 21 19 . 7 1 13 5
substitute letters for numbers and you get
“wumpus.game”
add this to to your friends list minus the quotes and play an old irc game!

(edited from the original source to fix typo)

I’m still unable to connect to GoogleTalk until now. This instant messenger give me authentication failed error message, eventhough I already put the correct GMail username and password. Anybody experience the same problem?

You will need a GMail account to access Google Talk. Don’t have one? Don’t worry, it’s free easy to get one now, since no more invitation required. According to BusinessWeek Online:

But starting today, invites are no longer needed to get a Gmail account. In a separate announcement, Google says it will take the wraps off the service for users in the U.S. Gmail will be open and free to U.S. users but will require that they use a mobile phone capable of receiving text messages to prove they’re legitimate users. When they sign up, Harik says, Google will send their phone a text message. While it may not be fail-safe, Harik says the measure is an effort to minimize Gmail being used by spammers and for other types of abuse.

However, I can’t find a way, from GMail website, to register a new account without invitation. So if you still need invitation to create GMail account, contact me, and I’ll send you one )

[ Download Google Talk ] [ Google Talk Review at DownloadSquad ]