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Miranda NG

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Miranda NG
Company typeOpen-source software
IndustryInstant messaging software
PredecessorMiranda IM
FoundedMay 2012; 14 years ago (2012-05)
FounderDevelopment team of Miranda IM (branch)
FateContinuation of Miranda IM project as a fork
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsInstant messaging client software
OwnerCommunity-driven open source project
Websitemiranda-ng.org

Miranda NG is an open-source multiprotocol instant messaging client designed for Microsoft Windows and licensed under the GNU GPL-2.0-or-later.

History

In May 2012, the original Miranda IM project was branched off to create Miranda NG (New Generation) as a result of changes within the development team and the slow advancement of the initial Miranda IM. Significant updates included adopting the Visual Studio 2010 compiler, discontinuing support for Windows 95/98/ME and plugins lacking Unicode compatibility, and consolidating both core and plugin development into a unified code repository.

The most recent release is version 0.96.6, which became available on 7 April 2025.

Architecture

Miranda IM provides a foundational client framework paired with a graphical user interface and a modular plugin system. Support for numerous instant messaging protocols and functionalities comes through optional plugins, some of which are included by default; historically, over 500 extra plugins were accessible via the official addons platform. Users can remove unused protocols to optimize and simplify the client.

Features

  • Personalized customization options for both interface and capabilities to suit individual preferences.
  • Effective handling of extensive contact lists spanning multiple messaging networks
    • Ability to rename contacts
  • Robust message archiving system
    • Convenient access or removal of messages using tools like DB Tool or History Sweeper plugin
  • Display of contact information and avatars on hover (requires supplementary plugin)
  • No advertisements within the application
  • Lightweight, portable design with minimal plugin requirements
  • Enhanced security and privacy by storing chat history locally
  • Minimal memory footprint

Connectivity

Miranda IM supports protocol plugins for AIM, Gadu-Gadu, ICQ, IRC, Microsoft Messenger service (MSN, .NET, Live), XMPP (including Google Talk), and Yahoo! Messenger. Additional protocols available through plugins include Bonjour, Fetion, Facebook Messenger, Inter-Asterisk eXchange, Lotus Sametime, NetSend, Myspace, Tencent QQ, SIP, Skype (Skype client required),Tlen.pl, and Xfire.

Early Development

Roland Rabien (figbug) initiated Miranda IM on 2 February 2000 as a streamlined ICQ clone called Miranda ICQ. Its inaugural public version, 0.0.1, was released on 6 February 2000, with a size under 100 KB, utilizing LibICQ but lacking message history, database integration, or plugin capabilities.

The chatbot MegaHAL was introduced in version 0.0.4 to facilitate automated interactions with ICQ users. Plugin functionality was first implemented in version 0.0.6, featuring the Logger Plugin as the initial bundled add-on.

Version 0.1.x Series

After version 0.0.6.1 launched on 26 December 2000, the original creators exited the project, passing leadership to Richard "cyreve" Hughes. His initial major overhaul appeared in version 0.1.0.0 on 8 April 2001, which included the split message dialog—this was the first messaging component transitioned into a plugin module. Around version 0.1.1.0, the .Net Messenger Service protocol plugin was introduced as Miranda’s second supported protocol and marked the debut of official language pack translation support. This milestone established Miranda as a multi-protocol, multilingual instant messaging solution.

Following version 0.1.0.0, plugin development gained momentum; by version 0.1.2.1 released on 28 February 2002, nearly fifty plugins were available. The Lizard plugin added skinning capabilities—the only occasion Miranda supported skins—but it was later removed due to stability concerns.

Version 0.2.x

Following cyreve's departure in June 2002, the development responsibilities were assumed by Martin Öberg (Strickz), Robert Rainwater (rainwater), Sam K (egoDust), and Lyon Lim (lynlimz). Rako Shizuka took charge of the MSN protocol and created the initial Yahoo! Messenger protocol plugin, marking Miranda's third supported protocol. However, as Yahoo! Messenger protocols evolved, the proprietary Yahoo! plugin became unstable and was subsequently rewritten by Gennady Feldman.

During this phase, non-instant messaging plugins such as RSS News and Weather were introduced, offering users informational contacts rather than chat capabilities.

As support for additional protocols expanded, conversations emerged about renaming the software and decoupling ICQ from its core. This led to the official renaming to Miranda IM on 17 December 2002.

The inaugural release under the new name was made available on 1 February 2003, followed by a bug-fix update two weeks afterward.

Version 0.3.x

Released on 23 June 2003, version 0.3 extracted ICQ from the core into a separate plugin, allowing Miranda to operate independently of ICQ installation. The project relocated to www.miranda-im.org, introducing new discussion forums and file repositories.

The default protocol plugins included ICQ, MSN, AIM, and XMPP, with Yahoo! notably absent. IRC functionality was incorporated in version 0.3.1 on 8 August 2003 by Jörgen Persson (m8rix).

A significant modification involved moving the Send-Receive Messaging Module into a plugin called SRMM, which reduced the executable’s size and promoted faster development of messaging modules. Variants such as SRAMM and SRMM_mod emerged, providing advanced features.

ZDNet.be commended version 0.3 for its seamless contact import process, minimal memory consumption, broad plugin availability, and recommended it particularly for users managing multiple instant messaging clients from their system tray.

Version 0.4.x

Miranda IM version 0.4 was released on 7 April 2005, reintroducing the Yahoo! protocol as part of the official package. The contact list and database functionalities were modularized into plugins rather than being embedded in the core, resulting in four distinct contact list options: clist_classic, multi-window clist_mw, contemporary clist_modern, and highly customizable clist_nicer. Widely used plugins included tabbed messaging windows (tabsrmm and scriver), HTML message logging support (IE view), the scripting tool mbot, and a meta contact plugin.

Version 0.5.x

Released on 28 July 2006, version 0.5 introduced Unicode compatibility for users running Windows NT, 2000, and XP. It also integrated the AIM Oscar, which facilitated file transfers and reception of away messages. Avatar support was enhanced across multiple protocols in this release.

Version 0.6.x

Version 0.6, launched on 29 December 2006, incorporated UPnP functionality to enhance file transfer stability and direct connection reliability through routers. Improvements were made to UTF-8 string processing and tabbed options support, alongside various bug corrections.

Version 0.7.x

On 1 October 2007, Miranda IM version 0.7 was launched, featuring integrated services for fonts and icons, a redesigned menu system, and a release notification tool. A notable enhancement was the introduction of a novel approach to distinctly identify plugins and their interfaces, which could impact compatibility with earlier versions.

In a 2008 review by CNET, the software received a 4 out of 5 stars rating, emphasizing its ability to support numerous instant messaging protocols within a single application. The review commended its unified management of personal information, comprehensive control over window behaviors, and customizable keyboard shortcuts.

According to Techzine.nl, the strengths of this release included "support for many protocols; small and fast; numerous plug-ins and skins; many settings," making it especially suitable for users wanting a straightforward client on a USB drive. Nonetheless, it warned that those accustomed to Windows Live Messenger might find Miranda IM’s configuration options somewhat intricate, and standard WLM features such as emoticons and sounds require extra plugins and setup.

In Software Development Rhythms, authors Lui and Chan lauded Miranda IM’s plugin framework as "simple and flexible," highlighting its application in creating "NAMMIK," an ICQ chatbot with scripting capabilities.

Version 0.8.x

Version 0.8, released on 17 June 2009, introduced an Account Manager capable of handling multiple accounts per protocol without the need for DLL renaming, native SSL integration, along with various improvements to the core system and plugins, plus bug resolutions.

A PCWorld Magazine evaluation of version 0.8.16 recognized its extensibility through addons but criticized aspects of the user interface, particularly the handling of login status icons and contact grouping functionality. The review suggested it primarily for users who require fundamental instant messaging features.

Version 0.9.x

Released on 24 August 2010, version 0.9 brought enhanced Unicode compatibility alongside protocol upgrades. This version also marked the introduction of an official 64-bit build for the first time.

Version 0.10.x

On 18 July 2012, version 0.10 was made available, building upon the previous 0.9.x series with advancements in language support and network functionality. After years of hosting its own downloads, version 0.10.80 transitioned to SourceForge on 25 April 2018.

See also

External links

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