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EDITOR NOTES
The "Download Now" link yields the Mac OS X 10.6 version. The Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 versions are available in the "Related Links" section of this page.
DESCRIPTION
Chax is a collection of minor modifications and additions that make using Apple's iChat more enjoyable. Some major features include:
- Unified contact list shows all contacts from all accounts in one window
- Growl notifications for new messages and users changing status
- Automatically resize the contact list to fit the number of visible users
- Built-in log viewer
- Activity log that displays your contacts' status changes
- Auto-accept file transfers, AV chats, and screen sharing requests
- Toggle text status visibility of users
- Always on top option for contact list, message windows and AV chats
- Set font of names, status messages, and group separators
- Option to auto-accept text chats, skipping new message notification window
- Show status changes directly in the message window
- Additional unread message notifications in the dock
- Automatically go away when the screensaver activates
- Properly use ICQ accounts without sending text formatting in messages
WHAT'S NEW
Version 3.0a4: - Readded show status changes in messages windows
- Fixed auto-accept of file transfers
- Fixed Growl status change alerts appearing sometimes when opening or closing a chat
- Fixed Current iTunes Song status not working properly
- Fixed the unified contact list not working properly after waking from sleep
- Fixed potential crash when using auto-accept text invitations
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.5 or later.
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| Chax User Reviews (81 posts) | Write A Review |
 | Nov 11 2009 |
D9 This particular alpha release has been nothing but trouble for me. I'm reverting to the present stable 2.x release. 3.0a4 will not remain in my iChat's Preference window. I can install and set the Chax preferences but upon restarting iChat, Chax is no longer available in the Preference window. Worse, some features still work after "losing" Chax while others don't. It also seems now to be too slimmed down as far as feature selections. Chax is without a doubt a must-have for any and all iChat users, but this current iteration is not stable enough to bother with. Stay put with version 2 until a new alpha or better yet, a beta is released. | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Oct 11 2009 |
TONKA2 Do I have to have Growl and Sparkle predownloaded for Chax to open?
(Version 3.0a4) | |
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 | Oct 11 2009 |
TONKA2 Downloaded Chax, dragged to App folder but it would not open. I trashed it and downloaded it again, and still it would not open with error popups both times. So I trashed it again. Is there something I should know in the installing process? I'm on Snow Leopard 10.6.1.
(Version 3.0a4) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Oct 14 2009 |
COLLIN BLACKMAN i too had trouble getting it installed. Now i have the Chax icon in the dock -click that and it opens iChat with Chax on board. Just have to remember to launch it that way as if i click on iChat it opens minus Chax.
(Version 3.0a4) | |
| Sep 28 2009 |
RBUGAJEWSKI Chax is the missing plugin for iChat! During the last couple of years I used Adium a lot, but a lot of things bothered me (e.g. missing MobileMe sync, sometimes strange contact list behavior, the software isnt pre-installed on a Mac). Then I discovered the excellent iChat plugin Chax. With iChat you can already add a lot of different services, but Chax provides an all-in-one contact list that makes things really easy. This was the only functionality I used over a couple of months. Then I discovered that Chax has a lot more to provide than the all-in-one contact list and I fell in love with this plugin. Its worth noting that the developer does all the work in his sparse free time, but hes blazing fast. There was already a Snow Leopard compatible version of Chax out there a couple of days after the official Snow Leopard release. You should definitely try this software out and donate a couple of bucks to the author of this excellent plugin.
(Version 3.0a4) | |
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| Sep 13 2009 |
ARCHAEOGEEK Seriously, it's a chat program, if you absolutely need to run it 64-bit, you're doing it wrong.
(Version 3.0a4) | |
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| Sep 2 2009 |
DCT I love this application and, interestingly enough, I prefer the direction Chax 3.x is headed in Snow Leopard. It feels much more integrated. The developer is really on top of this and the timely updates are rolling out surprisingly fast. Thank you and keep up the great work!
(Version 3.0a3) | |
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| Aug 30 2009 |
L1QUID1CED I love chax and i appreciate how this was quickly updated to snow leopard... I don't like how it has "replaced" ichat on my dock, I much rather it be just another tab in my preferences, i dunno if this is a problem with snow leopard itself or if chax is interfering but i can no longer change my status to "current itunes song"... it just leaves it as available. Everything works like a charm
(Version 3.0a2) | |
| [ 2 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Aug 30 2009 |
D9 Why don't you uninstall Chax to find out?
(Version 3.0a2) | |
| Sep 2 2009 |
WALRUSCP Chax cannot work as it did in 10.5 because 10.6 no longer allows input manager hacks like Chax to run in 64-bit mode - hence the new implementation. Otherwise, you'd be stuck having to run iChat in 32-bit mode in 10.6. I actually like the new standalone - maybe it's just perception, but it seems a bit more stable for me. This app remains a must-install for anyone using iChat.
(Version 3.0a3) | |
| Aug 30 2009 |
MRC Odd, I have an Intel Mac running 10.5.8, but for some reason I get a message that I can't install this version of Chax?! Anyone have any ideas?
(Version 3.0a2) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Aug 30 2009 |
D9 Take notice the Editor's Note at the top of the description section.
(Version 3.0a2) | |
| Aug 28 2009 |
STELLAROLA Thank you so much for doing a fix for Snow Leopard's iChat. Even though, as you said it's not optimal, it's still better than nothing. :) Growl back in ichat, thanks! :)
(Version 3.0a1) | |
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| Aug 28 2009 |
MY2KCHILD Thanks for the 3.0 update with the release of snow leopard. So far it's running great.
(Version 3.0a1) | |
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