Trillian Astra - Why Aren't You Using This?

Look, I'm not saying I told you so...because I didn't. But what I am at the very least asking is why aren't you running Trillian Astra right now?

I have my personal toolkit of software that I use to function on a day to day basis. But the one product I can't live without is Trillian. It is social network aggregation^Infinity. I've wrote about Astra once before about a major update to the alpha/beta phase of testing...but now I write once again because enough time has passed I feel, (especially with Astra now being out in the wild for anyone to try and demo) that it's time to give it some critiques.

So let's start from the beginning. Trillian (by Cerulean Studios) was one of the first IM peices of software to bind AIM, MSN, ICQ, and Yahoo all into a single buddy list with zero advertisements. It was the perfect software (still is in my opinion). It was social network aggregation, no longer did oyu have to have several programs running to IM different friends on different networks. Now a single program existed to rule them all. I'll spare you the rest of this history lesson, the Wikipedia article on it is pretty good if you are truly interested.

Fast forward to now, and Astra (Trillian 4.0) is the product that intends to change the game once again by re-inventing itself. Astra boasts an impressive 400+ features all of which are on display at www.trillianastra.com.

What do I personally get out of Astra?
Support to connect AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook (chat included), and Skype all into a single buddy list. Talking to people on so many different networks has now become 100% transparent to me. I hate facebook chat, but when someone shoots me a message and it appears as a native IM window...awesome town. When someone tweets me, and it shows up as an IM...amazing. This is exactly how communication in this day an age should operate. More importantly this is exactly how fast is should operate. Trillian has got to be the Safari/Chrome/Firefox equivalent in terms of speed for the IM world. I listed all three because I'm not about to spark a war, figured I'd cover my bases.

When I'm traveling, I can sign in from any computer via the web. The web service is currently open for all to test, but eventually will require a paid membership ($25 for a year, $10 there after).

Now, I know what you are saying. Because all my friends say it too. "Adam, why the hell should I pay for a service that is otherwise free?" or "Erm, haven't you heard of Digsby?" *Note I'm not using Adium as its a MacOS tool only. It still is pretty lame. That's right I said it. Then again it should probably be assumed when the whole post is about how awesome Astra is.

1. Paid solutions will always get you further, who won this battle...Microsoft or Linux?
2. Digsby, yes its virtually identical to Trillian and its free. Why not go with this product? No cloud/server end management.

3. Meebo, 100% free and completely web based with server management to store a single sign on for several services. However it doesn't connect nearly to ALL of the things Astra can. Meebo does 5, Astra does...a lot more. I don't care who I have to write at Apple, Kevin Kurtz and Cerulean Studios need to be on the Apple stage presenting...not Meebo.

Astra supports plugins. Spellcheck, auto translation (amazing I have to say), literally I can't find a single thing this program DOESN'T do. All my other options, which are free might I add, I always find an limitation with. There is always something I can't do.

"Adam, I gotta say...I'm buying Astra. This is like the grown up version of instant messaging." Was a quote from a friend whom I introduced Astra too. After I had walked her through the following...

Install AIM, MSN, Yahoo - Nope, too many windows.

Use Meebo, no desktop client - I don't like this. I have to have a browser open. This is my laptop.

Use Digsby- This is ugly, the buddy list is...It's like streamlined to the extent of boring.

Use Trillian 3 - This is neat, MetaContacts are so useful. Single sign on, it's prettier than the rest.

Use Trillian 4 (Astra) - This melts 3.0's face off, it's gorgeous. Its functional. It connects to my school email account, it tells me the weather, and I can use it on the web if I absolutley have to. It doesn't even look like I lose anything, this is awesome. I'm buying Astra.

So this chart went from free to paid solutions and look what came out on top...

Trillian's "Octopus"
What Cerulean Studios is calling their Octopus technology, is really just their fancy way of phrasing Cerulean Studio Server Management. What does this mean for you the user? Say you are chatting on your iPhone, you go into a tunnel, you lose signal, you now aren't getting your messages. Minutes later you reappear with a full signal, within seconds all the messages you missed are delivered to you. Challenge that Digsby.

Extrapolate this idea of a server role, now you can sign on via the web interface and all of your preferences are maintained. "But Adam, AIM express does this...free." In the most lackluster, bumbling, non-reliable way imagineable. Close the browser, close your IMs. Not with Astra, close the browser...keep IM-ing. Yeah, thats right. I said it. But Cerulean said it first, my jaw dropped then and I hope yours is doing the same. While the web client can't currently do this feature as it's in Beta, their is a really neat YouTube video of fearless leader Kevin Kurtz displaying it. We took the courtesy of putting it right here.

The Astra Network

Ok so here's the final closing bit. But I'm sorry Cerulean, this point is going to be weak. In an effort to curb some software piracy (that's my guess). In order to use Astra, you need an Astra account to validate against the Astra network. No problem. I'm fine with this. People should pay for products as such. Then again, I'm an avid supporter of small business and capitalism, but I digress. You can IM on the Astra network, this is Cerulean's first attempt at actually using their software as a means of IM-ing. No longer just a third party app, this app integrates it's own IM network. Which i have to say is pretty awesome, you can freehand draw, you can hidef video/voice chat, you have Flash based user profiles...oh it's soo coo.....oh right no one uses it.

This has got to be the biggest hurtle to overcome, and that is getting this product noticed to where more people are using Astra for Astra. Myself and several others really put the network to use and enjoy all the benefits of it. But some people are creatures of habit, it's hard getting them to switch IM clients let alone join an entirely new network. What I've noticed with people I give Astra to is that the Astra network is merely a "bonus" it's not a great thing yet because no one is on it. The question is will anyone ever get on it?

Cerulean, you got my support as I've been with Trillian since v0.74 and love everything you've done with this product. Just give me a Windows Mobile version...or make sure the web client is going to work with Windows Mobile 6.5 Flash. Keep up the amazing work and I'll make sure all my friends try the kool aid.

Personal Disclaimer.
This is still a beta product and is not final at the time of which I am writing this. I am currently a paid Astra subscriber running the beta build 112. I am not affiliated with Cerulean Studios in any way shape or form. I have don't know any "inside people" at Cerulean Studios. I have no extra serial numbers to give out (stop asking.) I am merely an insanely satisfied customer.