DKware announced this week that it is offering free PC-to-PC videophone and messaging services to the general public with its new instant messaging application, DKMessenger. DKMessenger permits real-time communications via text, video and audio simultaneously.

Douglas Kadlecek, founder of DKware, suggests that existing communications systems are antiquated and overpriced. "We are happy to offer this free service to the general public. For years, phone companies have charged a premium to send voice and data using proprietary switched networks. We feel that the Internet introduces a new paradigm, where software-based communication systems will proliferate while the costs are reduced to near zero. As proof, we are offering DKMessenger for free."

DKMessenger is a complete communications solution offering audio, video, text messaging and file transfer all in one easy-to-use interface.

For businesses, an advanced version of DKMessenger (DKMessenger Business Edition) is available that includes application sharing, whiteboard, virtual meeting capabilities, encryption and more.