Instant messaging
The server that tdbcelts is running on offers what is called a 'Jabber' server to provide instant messaging. I use a Jabber server at work to provide a private IM (Instant Messaging or 'chat') system to employees without having to rely on MSN or Yahoo or AIM or something and it works really well. Most people are familiar with IM though they may or may not use it. To use a Jabber server, you need a Jabber client. Usually Jabber clients can be configured to connect to multiple systems (the aforementioned MSN, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ, etc.) as well as to Jabber so you can manage all of your IM contacts using it.
So far I only have two Jabber accounts set up on tdbcelts, but I will happily set up accounts for any user of this site upon request. Simply having an account doesn't mean you instantly can talk with everyone on the system - you need to know the username of a person you want to IM with, though it would be sensible to make the username match the username on tdbcelts.org...
I am assuming that this Jabber server works like all the others I've seen so we should be able to create 'chat rooms' for larger private conversations. This is not a voice system, but it's free and provides a FAST and easy way to check each other's schedules or otherwise plan stuff in a hurry.
Here is a list of Jabber clients for you to review. I use PSI at work on Windows, Adium on the Mac, and usually either Kopete or Gaim on Linux boxes.
Please reply to this post if you're interested.
Owner of the other Jabber account chiming in.
I am basically just commenting so those who don't regularly check "What's New?" (like me) will see the cool new feature. Comyn and I have been using Jabber IMing for a while to keep in touch while he is at work or away. He set up PSI on my windows machine at home, and it is very user friendly. I've never used the other mass market chat programs, but this is easy to understand, and simple to set up. I added my tdbcelts acct to my existing PSI setup by myself. So, give it a try, and have comyn set up an account for you. My acct is the obvious "Sabha".
Sabha
I was thinking about setting
I was thinking about setting it up, but I haven't done it yet. I know with other IM software that I installed, it really bogged down my computer. Is that something I have to worry about with jabber?
IM software
I've found that PSI for windows doesn't use very much resources, BUT - you have to go into the MISC options and change the transparency setting to 100% opacity (as default it's set at 95% which means you can see 'through' the user roster a little) unless you have a very fast machine. You can then set up all your different accounts (Yahoo, google talk, AOL IM, MSN, etc.) in one small program. You can set it to load only certain accounts automatically at startup too in case you don't want to be 'online' with everyone every time.
Ok, you lost me. Maybe next
Ok, you lost me. Maybe next time you com over you can explain it to my machine.
Setting up PSI
Setting up PSI requires you to put the info I sent to you via email in the 'Account Setup' window. You don't have to 'register' a new account since I already set it up, but you need to put the username and password in at least. Then you just 'Add a contact' and put in one of the other user names I sent you. That's really all there is to it - though there are a bunch of options that control how the program works to tailor it to your needs - it's very configurable.
There is a page on setting up PSI here for more detailed info:
http://www.kallisti.net.nz/RobinsStuff/SettingUpPsi
but I'll certainly give you a hand if you still need it next time I'm over.