IMBooster is an add-on created by IMinent to enhance IM programs such as Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger. The first release of IMBooster was back in May 2007. Its primary version was called IMBooster Public Beta 1.0. Back then, IMBooster was revolving around one single service, Video Winks for Windows Live Messenger, but today, IMBooster contains many other IM oriented services.
IMBooster Services
Today, IMBooster consists of a discrete conversation-attached bar from which IM users can send emoticons, winks, multiple nudges, use dynamic display pictures and decorate chat text, all in real time (Copyright held by IMinent). Each service comes with its own distinct name: Emoticons and BigEmos, Winks and Video Winks, FireNudge, Mood Avatars and Buddy Bubbles. As for BigEmos and Video Winks, these are an exclusive innovation from IMBooster whereas the content itself is created by a large number of freelancers all over the world, on a weekly basis.
Emoticonize me!
Unlike other add-ons from the niche, IMBooster offers the possibility to create personalized content (with a webcam or from personal images). However, this possibility is available only for emoticons and video winks for the moment. In addition, IMBooster is not an IM client and the main wish of its creators is to never become one, but to continue running on a completely separate channel (currently Jabber-based), working with the IM Client and not over or against it and its channels.
IMBooster is not only entertainment oriented software, but a complement to the IM Clients, a means of customizing and boosting the IM experience without slowing down the operating system or implementing itself in unwanted areas. IMinent has announced that the main goal of IMBooster is a clean and fast evolution with as many IM Clients as possible.
Compatibility
The IMBooster add-on is available for Windows XP and Windows Vista 32 bit and works with IM Clients Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or higher and Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 or higher. Full compatibility with Yahoo! Messenger was finalized back in August 2008. IMinent has also announced its intention to work on the IMBooster to AIM compatibility in the near future.
IMinent is a company which develops value-added software such as IMBooster for Instant Messaging and SearchTheWeb and IMinent Toolbar for Internet browsing. The company also offers IM statistical information of public interest and co-operates with companies in the business to bring novelty to the web.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- There are secret display pictures that you can activate with the key sequence $mood (example: $mood love, $mood kiss, $mood ? etc). Some display pictures have them, some do not. Try each character and see what happens.
- Although they mention it rarely, there is a website where IMinent offers beta versions in advance, versions which are not stable but contain exclusive services and content. If you don’t mind a rare bug, subscribe to the beta.
- Create emoticons with the webcam or from an image on your computer: the content creation wizard is in the Emoticons window of IMBooster and is very easy to use, no explanations needed.
- Decorate the text you send to your buddies by first writing something in the chat text box and then choosing a Buddy Bubble character with callout. You can see the preview on mouse over. Clicking the desired character send a decorated Buddy Bubble.
- Send a FireNudge: you may only see one nudge but the person that is getting it is most likely receiving five of them. Wait 20 second for the button to reactivate itself before sending another set of five nudges.
- Get the receiver to install IMBooster to benefit from the best IM experience. (Winks require both sides to have the software installed).
- Want to see some “inside” techie info? Go to Options > About … and click the center of the window. You will see a pop-up with several useful things such as: if IMBooster is connected, to which IM Clients it is attached, etc. Don’t worry, that is private info, only you can see that (a remainder of our testing series which is quite useful for debugging).
For more information on IMBooster, visit IMinent.com
Jorge says
Nothing is free. Is this somehow advertising supported?
Bradley Finn says
I looks like its a great program but it does slow down my wlm alot.
Cristina Stoica says
@Jorge: IMinent keep their program free by means of advertising, of course, and several browser-based services such as SearchTheWeb (web search powered by Google), but in the end, the user does not have to pay anything. The “free” part is for the users, not so much for the developers.
@Bradley Finn: IMBooster slows down your WLM for a couple of seconds while it gets the content (emoticons, winks, etc) from the IMinent server. After that, your WLM runs smoothly for sure.
Emmar says
not working for me…i just installed it, but now it’s not working, after i logged off and logged back in it stopped working…now, when i chat iwht someone there’s an empty space (where the ad’s would be) and it’s annoying, and the imbooster bar is stillt here, but there’s no buttons D,: