Solo Technology

For instant messaging, I use a program called Gaim. In one client, it handles my MSN Messenger, AIM & ICQ, Yahoo! chat, and Google Chat (via Jabber). I’ve even used it for IRC. Instead of windows all over the place, everything is nice and self-contained and, as a huge plus, the chats themselves can all live in one tabbed window. Nice. Oh, and it runs on a few different platforms, is opensource and free. What a great combination. Ok, a Pocket PC port would be awesome too.

Also, it is extensible. Something that’s never really intrigued me until recently. I mean, it comes with some plugins by default, and there’s a plugins page as well (and more here too). Alas, I don’t see the one plugin that I think could be very handy to have around. How about a plugin that sets me to hidden mode (or show me as offline, whichever makes more sense) with an “override”? For instance, if I’m just totally swamped at work and need fewer distractions, I could disappear, yet still “be there” for a select few people that I need to chat with for the task at hand.

Wouldn’t that be cool?

Not that I have a clue exactly where to start, nor the time.. but maybe someone will read this and agree that it could be a nifty little thing to have…

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