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 GroupWise Messenger, Rendezvous, and Jabber networks (the latter three with Trillian Pro which allows for plug-ins).

Initially released July 1 2000 as freeware, the first commercial version (Trillian Pro 1.0) was published on September 10, 2002. Trillian's creators have promised to continue to support and maintain a free version of Trillian, and it will remain a closed source application.

The program was named after Trillian, a fictional character in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

From version 3.0 on, Trillian uses Wikipedia to reference terms typed by the user, 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 and Rendezvous networks. 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, a plugin to interact with Lotus Sametime clients, a plugin to interact with Microsoft Exchange, a POP3 and IMAP email checker, 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 and on the Trillian members plug-in forum, but will only work with the Pro version of Trillian.

Version History

July 1, 2000
Initial Release, 0.50 of Trillian as an IRC client.

August 11, 2000
Version 0.52 released with more IRC-specific features.

November 29, 2000
Version 0.60 released with AIM, ICQ and MSN support. Many other features were also added.

December 23, 2000
Version 0.61 released. Includes Yahoo! Messenger 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. Initial support for file transfers.

December 18, 2001
Version 0.71 released. As first major IM client, Trillian included the ability to encrypt messages.

January 29-February 20, 2002
Versions 0.72x released. Fixed AIM connection problems.

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.

December 17, 2004
Trillian Basic and Pro versions 3.0 released.

February 24, 2005
Trillian Basic and Pro versions 3.1 released.

See also

• List of instant messengers
• Comparison of instant messengers

External links

• Trillian's homepage
• Cerulean Studio's homepage
• Plug-in forum (Members only, updated more frequently)
• Plug-in downloads (updated less often)
• Portable Trillian