Free Stuff

MessFun.com - This site offers all kinds of freebies for instant messenger programs, such as those provided by MSN, Yahoo! and AOL. Included here are free MSN display pictures, emoticons (smileys), wallpapers and lots more besides. MessFun.com also provides instant messenger status checkers, so you can see who's online before you log in (ideal if you get pestered a lot). They even include suggestions for comical MSN nicknames.

mabber - If you're a fan of instant messaging and you're feeling adventurous, why not give mabber a whirl? This free and new instant messaging service provides real-time chat without the need to download any software. Developed in Germany, mabber can be used to chat with friends online, either via a computer or on your mobile phone. Similar to other messenger services, you can see who's online and add new friends as you wish.

FreeJavaChat.com - Offers free chat rooms to add to your Web site. FreeJavaChat.com is able to provide a completely free service with no banner adverts or other annoying gimmicks. You can use mIRC or the Java chat applet in any Web browser, plus users can take advantage of private messaging, IRC commands, a "simple mode", etc. This service also includes various other features.

MySmiley.net - This site offers hundreds of free smiley emoticons in various categories. Each set is arranged according to the mood each smiley is depicting (i.e. "sad", "happy", "grins", "confused"), or the expression (i.e. rolling eyes). This site is anti-spyware, anti-spam, and provides free smileys for use in instant messenger programs, such as AIM, or at MySpace. In fact, they're ideal for use with any chat service you can think of.

Moove - Experience chat in a 3D world environment when you download this unique chat client called "Moove". In a nutshell, Moove follows the rule of traditional IRC (Internet Relay Chat), but also offers graphical images of people mimicking the statements made in text. For example, if you specify to shake hands with your chat buddy, the virtual character will do the same on the screen.

Chatzy - Chatzy is a new free and simple chat service with no installation procedure. Using this service, you can create your own chat room and invite people to join you instantly by e-mail. On most chat sites, you can only enter public chat rooms, or you need to use ports not available from behind a firewall. Chatzy is different and possibly the simplest chat site available on the Internet.

ChatAge.com - Provides free online chat rooms for teens and adults alike. ChatAge.com features three room categories: general (for all ages), teens and adults (for 18 years and over). The chat rooms here are moderated to ensure safety for younger chatters, although we advise caution in any Internet chat room. Don't give away your personal details or arrange to meet anyone online!

ParaChat - Want to add a chat room to your Web site? ParaChat's "free" package provides a feature-rich, remotely hosted Java chat room service, allowing for real-time interaction. As a Webmaster, you can cutomise the colour and language of the chat room, and also integrate the embedded applet seamlessly into your site's page. For creating user appeal and repeat visits, ParaChat is an excellent tool. The service is advert supported.
> ParaChat recommends you select the "embedded chat room" option, which can be integrated directly into your site's pages. However, if you prefer, they also offer a pop-up chat room option as well.
> The free version provides 100 user capacity for each room and now includes a "who's typing now?" feature.

Chat-Forum.com - Provides free, advert supported Java-based chat rooms for use on your Web site. Chat-Forum.com's free chat room is easy to implement and will no doubt increase the "interactivity factor" of your site. Some of the features provided here include: private messaging, room administration, user blocking, etc. There is a restriction of 10 users per room at any one time. Technical support via e-mail is also provided.

Freeola Chat - A free chat community that's based around a series of message boards. Freeola Chat is a fun place to talk about games, gossip, films, life and more. By participating in the discussions, visitors have a chance of being singled out to win £30 worth of Argos or Amazon vouchers. If you're feeling creative, you can even start your own forum, and take charge with moderation privileges.

There - "There" is an online virtual world where users can chat with others, meet friends and participate in group games. The program features an exciting 3D environment, which allows you to interact with others and live an online, virtual life. The basic version of the program (54 MB) is free and allows you to select a personal avatar, text chat, create "buddy lists", listen to streamed radio, shop in auctions and join up to 20 "There" groups.

FreeChatCode.com - Offers a free Java chat room service, ideal for increasing the "stickiness" of your Web site. The chat room provided here is easy to customise with your existing site and allows an unlimited number of users, with the additional option for private chat. The service also provides a language filter, password protection, sound alerts and the ability to save chat transcripts. FreeChatCode.com is advert supported.

Emoinstaller.com - This site offers a range of free emoticon (smiley) installer packs for MSN messenger. Using these, you can add additional emoticons to your MSN Messenger program and liven up your conversations with all kinds of quirky and fun images. There are numerous installer packs available here so be sure to check them all out. Some of the packs include crazy animals, football themes and gangster smileys.

AddonChat - The "free" edition of AddonChat offers a free, basic and advert supported chat room, which is easily integrated into your site's pages with a snippet of HTML code. A direct link is also provided to each chat room, so even if you don't own a site, you and your friends can still utilise the room. A number of features are offered, including: private messaging, control panel, multiple language support, user ignore feature and profanity filters.

ChattersOnline.com - Create free chat rooms for your Web site and allow visitors to chat with their friends or family in real-time. No special expertise is needed to get started, you simply register with the site and follow simple, step-by-step instructions. ChattersOnline.com also has a vibrant homepage, with up-to-the-minute news, message forums and various other Internet downloads.

Teenfront.co.uk - A well-designed, popular and quality Web site dedicated to teenagers. Teenfront.co.uk features free chat rooms, free MSN emoticons, teen forums, competitions, free electronic greeting cards, movie trailers, game reviews, celebrity gossip and lots more besides. In fact, even if you're not a teenager, you're likely to find something of interest here. They update with new competitions regularly.

FunkySmileys.co.uk - At FunkySmilies.co.uk, you can locate a wide range of free emoticons (more commonly known as "smileys"). Here, you'll find free emoticon images for messenger programs (e.g. MSN Messenger and AOL IM), chat rooms and e-mails. Their comprehensive directory organises a wide range of smileys into various categories, so you can easily find what you're searching for.

Yahoo! Chat - Despite its long-winded registration process, Yahoo! Chat is not just another group of chat rooms, it's an entire community of people who share common interests and hobbies. There are literally thousands of rooms where you can chat to people all across the world and talk about anything under the sun. Note: we recommend you try the Voice Chat - these rooms are very good.

Chatway - Here's a massive community Web site that focuses on chat for teens, adults, Internet newbies and romance. Apart from providing some of the best free chat rooms on the Web, Chatway has a nifty message board where you can post, chat and reply to topics at your convenience. Games, a free email account and Net-ID's make this one of the most interesting Web sites to visit.

Talk City - Talk City believes that the ability to form truly global communities around businesses, ideas, interests, brands, and hobbies will be one of the signature developments of the early 21st century. They offer a large selection of chat rooms from general chat to music and entertainment. Make sure you have read their code of conduct before entering one of the many chat rooms here.

Excite Super Chat - Here is another good set of chat rooms. Excite Chat has a few extras thrown in as well (similar to Yahoo!), such as voice chat, as an alternative to traditional text-based chat. Another excellent feature is their "graphic chat" rooms. Here, you pick a character and use them to represent yourself. Upon registering, you'll benefit from access to all of Excite's services.