Actually, I use a great little program called ICQ. You can get it here:

http://www.mirabilis.com

It's free, and it works like an AOL "buddy list" except for anyone on the internet who also uses ICQ. (And yes, it should work for AOL users too.

It has realtime messaging (like IM), private chats are *easy* and you can send files, URLs, and play games as well -- all while you're still doing OTHER things, if your computer can handle it.

As to the chat room here, you just have to sign up as a member. It's pretty slow and I've never seen it handle more than three people at a time. (Which is, of course, PLENTY unless you're an IRC Junkie.)

Not to cast aspersions on Max, who has of course done a *FINE* job. ;^)

Good luck!