2 & 3. ICQ, AIM (I think), iChat, Trillian... Etc. I like all of them.
4. At least in the States everyone uses Gmail (most everyone in SV that is)
5. Skype is prevalent in the work environment, I just don't know why. It sucks pretty hard and everyone hates it.
Just my opinion, I have had great success with Gmail/Google Voice and iChat (for chat with my Gmail Jabber account)
2 & 3. ICQ, AIM (I think), iChat, Trillian... Etc. I like all of them.
4. At least in the States everyone uses Gmail (most everyone in SV that is)
5. Skype is prevalent in the work environment, I just don't know why. It sucks pretty hard and everyone hates it.
Just my opinion, I have had great success with Gmail/Google Voice and iChat (for chat with my Gmail Jabber account)