I don’t usually IM dopers because my IM screen name is completely different than this one. I get sick of reminding people who I am 
I know and I do, but my point is, it goes both ways. And it’s not a dig at you specifically. But there are several folks who used to send a “Howdy” on occasion who no longer do.
I pruned most of my buddy lists because I wasn’t hearing from certain people and long lists are annoying!
Oh, and this really isn’t a rant, else I’d have put it in the Pit.
Well, seriously, if you ever want to just say hi, feel free. If I can’t talk, I’ll say so. And if I’m not there, I usually have a semi-clever away message. For me, on line chat is just a way to kill time that I’d have to spend doing chores. So if you message me, you’re actually doing me a favor! 
So’s mine!
But one neato thing about this new vBulletin we’re on is that if you have your AIM or Yahoo or ICQ names in your profile, the respective icon shows up on each of your posts.
So hey, if anyone wants to IM me, go for it.
OK FCM I’ve added you to my MSN contact list. I will IM you at random to ask about the weather or whatever.
Woohoo, Venus - you’ll be the third on my list - along with my first boyfriend, and an old college friend.
[slight hijack]
Can someone with Yahoo IM talk with someone else using a different IM program?
[/slight hijack]
Yes, it’s a serious question, too
I’m going to download ICQ just so I can complete the trifecta of being ignored via phone, email/mail and now ICQ.
Well I have certain messaging rules. or well one anyway. I’ve always been the sort that if, I come online and people I talk to are online, I’ll send them a message. SO I feel like the last one to come online, it’s their job to send the message. Seemes to work for me as, others on my list do the same. So I send messages and I receive them.
only if you use Trillian otherwise you’ll need Yahoo Messenger
Now that I’ve signed up, allow me to show my astouding ignorance to all.
Is there a SDMB ICQ chatroom, or is this something we don’t talk about and you have to be personally invited in during High Holy Days-Bring-Your-Own-Goat Clambake Super Secret Doper Initiation.
Considering I’ve been here since forever, you’d think I’d have a clue.
I’m not aware of any ICQ chat rooms, although I suppose there could be some. I use it exclusively for one-on-one conversations.
FairyChatMom, you have inspired me to install AIM on my laptop and email for my password. If I see you on, you’ll get an IM from TroublCat.
Wow, I’m inspirational. Who’d’a thunk it?
I just now realized that Yahoo Messenger now has a web based dealie, where you don’t have to download anything! So I just got myself on that. I also added you, FCM and dan as my friends.
I do not promise, however, that I’ll actually use this frequently. 
I’m going to update my profile shortly so that all and sundry can shoot me a message if you feel the burning desire to.
OK, I went and added Yahoo and I reinstalled Trillian so I have all 4 programs running simultaneously. I’m ready!
Which one is good? Or rather, what are the relative merits of the 4, or more, choices?
I don’t mind installing one, just as long as I don’t tell my SIL, or my wife, which amounts to the same thing.
Anybody can add me to their MSN and ICQ lists who would like, if only to say, “You’re kinda weird. In a sort of . . . um, you’re just rather weird.”
I’m always up for a chat. I while away the late evening and wee hours most nights on the boards trying to get even a little sleepy (me=a natural nightowl). Okay, I’m addicted the the SDMB too, sue me.
In fact, a fellow Doper just IM’d me two days ago out of the blue. We had a pleasant conversation for a half hour. I also got an email from another one asking about something in a thread. I always enjoy meeting fellow board members even if it’s just realtime chat or through email.
Feel free to drop a line any time. I think I’ll start occassionaly randomly IMing people just to keep them on their toes. eyes FairyChatMom’s incompatible IM proggies Hmmm, I might need to install ICQ after all.
I felt since I posted, I should add my Yahoo contact info. So there.