After talking to a friend on Tumblr earlier about the inadequacy of the messaging system, it occurred to both of us that instant messaging is probably a better answer for conversations than anything else.
There are lots of instant messaging networks, and they are all free;Google TalkYahoo Instant MessengerWindows Live MessengerAOL Instant MessengerICQSkypeFacebook ChatThe networks all have their own client software, which is greatbut means you end up running three or four clients to talk to your various friends. What many people don’t know is there are a few great pieces of software you can run that let you connect to all of them at once. Hellthere’s even a website that lets you do it.
In no particular order;Pidgin For Windows and Linux, it is very minimalist, and works wonderfully.
Trillian Beatiful client, primarily for Windowslooks and works wonderfully.
Adium By far the best instant messaging client on the Mac.
Meebo Web based, and works really well if you don’t have a desktop client available.If we all start using IM to chat, perhaps the Tumblr messaging system will then become useful to share IM usernames with each other