FWIW, I use Pidgin for all my IM connections, AIM, GTalk, Yahoo and MSN (these 2 don't really get used anymore), and also Lotus Sametime while at work. Best IM client there is in my opinion, and you can't beat the price.

I have an email address there as well... mostly based on antiquity, more than anything else, but it works very nicely. And FWIW, they've been running a portal to MS chat for over a year, now.

As for AIM, with the whole AOL network basically in the septic tank, I have my doubts I doubt that's going to be a factor, much longer.

they WOULD have a working monopoly on IM.

AOL is still the IM giant, and Google is one of the big 4 also. Recent news about AOL offering an XMPP server for AIM leaves an opening to allow AIM and GTalk users to chat directly with each other, which would be a boost to both companies. If that happens, you'll see a host of other portals offering their own IM service (myspace, facebook, Apple's .Mac), which will let you connect to AIM and GTalk users as well. If Microsoft/Yahoo doesn't participate, the'll be the also-rans in the IM market as well as search.

I'm not even sure if anybody uses Yahoo IM anymore anyway.