At no point has Microsoft offered to open its own chat client to AOL or anyone else -- openness only goes one way here.

CNN: Opinion: E-nough already!

The makers of the super-popular chat client Trillian have implemented Continuous Client features in the latest beta build for Windows (5.0 build 30).

ENGADGET: Trillian gets there first, brings Continuous Client features to latest build

Another I-nternet attraction is the topsy-turvy farce of Microsoft lashing out at America Online for refusing to make its chat client, AOL Instant Messenger, interoperable with Microsoft's chat client, MSN Messenger.

CNN: Opinion: E-nough already!

Pizzimenti, also a co-founder of chat client startup Olark, says he wrote the tool with his family members who were on Facebook in mind, after the recent bout of privacy changes made the settings more complicated.

FORBES: Facebook Scanner Helps You Reclaim Your Privacy

That's right, you no longer have to be jealous of your friends who've all been group video calling using Skype 5.0 for Windows for months -- Skype's new Beta 5.0 for Mac finally brings the ability to video chat with up to ten of your Skype contacts to OS X client.

ENGADGET: Skype 5.0 Beta for Mac finally available, includes group video calling

Information must be accurate and current, it says, and lawyers have to be careful not to establish an attorney-client relationship unwittingly when they engage in online conversations on their websites or in chat rooms and the like.

FORBES: ABA Asserts Copyright On Its Lawyer-Advertising Rules