[1] Miranda IM provides a basic client framework, GUI, and an advanced plugin architecture.

The protocol plugins included with Miranda IM are AIM, Gadu-Gadu, ICQ, IRC, Microsoft Messenger service (a.k.a.

This release used LibICQ, had no support for message history, database, and plugins, and had a distribution size of less than 100 KB.

After the release of version 0.0.6.1 on 26 December 2000, the original developers left, and Richard "cyreve" Hughes took over the project.

Due to the increase of protocol support, the project was officially renamed to Miranda IM on 17 December 2002.

The first release under the new name occurred on 1 February 2003, about three years after the beginning of the project, and a bug fix version came two weeks later.

ZDNet.be reviewed release 0.3, complimenting its "effortless" contact importing, low memory usage, and extensive variety of plugins, and stating, "Miranda is a strong recommendation for people who have a system tray populated by several IM applications.

Other major changes included the removal of contact list and database module from the core into plugins.

Another new feature is the introduction of AIM Oscar, first released in early 2006, allowing users to transfer files and receive away messages.

This version introduced UPnP support to improve file transfer and direct connect reliability through routers.

Key changes included integrated font and icon services, a rewritten menu engine, and a release notifier.

One large change is a new way to uniquely identify plugins and the interfaces they implement which may break backward compatibility in the future.

Features favored in the review included its centralized personal information management, "numerous" window behavior controls, and configurable hotkeys.

[20] Techzine.nl reviewed this version, listing its positive attributes as "support for many protocols; small and fast; a lot of plug-ins and skins; many settings" and writing it "will not look bad on your computer.

On the other hand, "if you are using WLM (Windows Live Messenger) and you find the settings of the program hard, [we] can not recommend Miranda IM.

"[5] Authors Lui and Chan in Software Development Rhythms describe using Miranda IM's plugin architecture to copy, modify, and test existing plugins in order to develop "NAMMIK", a scriptable ICQ chatting bot used to interview people; they refer to Miranda IM's architecture as "simple and flexible".

[21] A PCWorld Magazine review of version 0.8.16 noted its addon capability, but stated, "Miranda's user interface leaves something to be desired" while referring to its login status icons, wishing for easier management and grouping of contacts, easy blocking/reporting of spammers, and ultimately recommending it "for those who use only surface capabilities of instant messengers.