Cross-platform real-time collaboration client optimized for business and organizations.

Spark is an Open Source, cross-platform IM client optimized for businesses and organizations. It features built-in support for group chat, telephony integration, and strong security. It also offers a great end-user experience with features like in-line spell checking, group chat room bookmarks, and tabbed conversations.

Combined with the Openfire server, Spark is the easiest and best alternative to using un-secure public IM networks.

A new Feature was added:

Expand ability to customize spark if you want to build your own branded version

You can download the release in the download section of the igniterealtime web site.
The Spark development will be reduced until the 4th quarter this year.
There has been a significant demand for help about the packaging of custom editions for Spark. I would like to ask all users who have done custom packages to report their approach in the forum. The project files of the packager (e.g. appdeploy) are really welcome.

The conversation window looks just like a typical, well..., conversation window. There are a few options though, such as to view more information on the user you're talking to, send files, take a screenshot and send it automatically, view logs or invite him to conference.

There's a spell checker as well, plus some sort of “Buzz” tool that requests user's attention whenever you want to talk to him.

Conversations can be grouped in tabs, so it's easy to keep things organized on your screen, even when chatting to multiple users at the same time.

Getting back to the settings menu, it comprises options regarding basically everything about Spark, including group chat, media, privacy, login, file transfers, sounds, appearance, notifications and taskbar flashing.

During our test, everything worked flawlessly and we can't complain that Spark is a resource eater because it's not. It runs smooth and easy, so it probably does the same on older machines too.

So all in all, Spark is a decent instant messaging application, but you won't be amazed, that's for sure. But it's still a good idea to take it for a spin and see what it can do.