Ziggy587 wrote:So one thing about AIM is that you could send SMS text messages to a cell phone. What other IM clients can do this?
That's a handy feature. I use google voice to send SMS text messages.
Also, If you're texting someone who uses an iPhone, you can use iMessage from a Mac. Not the exact same thing as SMS, but from within the walled garden of Apple's closed ecosystem it serves the same purpose.
Google voice, on the other hand, allows you to send a real SMS to any cell phone irrespective of the operating system. Texting is totally free. Just pick one of the available cell numbers in your area code. There's also a function to call someone on the telephone via Google voice, but I never use that function. Can't remember if domestic calls cost money or just international calls.