Pidgin is a free chat client that helps you message all of your friends across popular IM software applications from one centralized location.

Meebo—an instant messenger application that integrates multiple web chats, G-chat, MySpace, AIM, MSN and Yahoo!—has now integrated facebook chat as well.

Create a free private discussion area for organizations, businesses, volunteers, or neighborhoods.

If you make a spelling mistake while typing in Skype chat, hit the up arrow on your keyboard. This will highlight your last entry and allow you to correct your error. The correction will appear on your Skype screen as well as the screen of the person you're chatting to.

If you use instant messaging as a way of communicating in your organization, you may want to consider this app which provides the first visual chat collaboration platform built around a group -- instead of the typical linear one-on-one chat format.

Smartphone users can download this free app and enjoy a video chat with up to four friends simultaneously.