Over the past few years I have used various forms of chat, so this is familiar territory. Most of the time I use MSN and I also belong to a chatroom with IRC and java access, I use the IRC access. I have used skype before and I have tried a virtual based chat which I really didn't enjoy at all. Skype worked fine, but it raised issues for me with sound controls as I stream for an internet radio sometimes and Skype interfered with my settings. Rather than keep changing settings I got rid of Skype.
While I use chat for social purposes and find it a good option for keeping in contact with friends interstate or overseas, it also has applications in the work place as well for easy contact between offices of a less formal nature. Chat messages tend to be brief and much care needs to be taken to keep meaning clear. Overlap of topics can also be a problem, especially in group situations. While chat is 'instant', it also allows for time delays between messages, it doesn't necessarily need to be immediate and this is one thing that can cause problems when people feel they are being ignored by not being answered quickly enough, or feel they are being pressured when they are doing other things as well.
Any form of chat relies on availability though. No matter what form you prefer, there has to be someone at the other end you want to talk to.
