I recently read an article explaining how to use Google Talk in Firefox within your web browser whilst surfing the net. The reason Google Talk is used because it has a web friendly AJAX edition that is simple and ready for action. I know Google Talk may not be good for you, especially if you use Windows Live Messenger like me.

However I've adapted this simple idea by using the vast amount of web messengers available to come up with an alternative for pretty much all IM clients. The answer is Meebo, the ridiculously popular web messenger, an instant success.

I use Meebo because it uses AJAX in one window rather than creating many using JavaScript windows. It also has a very simple design, which won't confuse you if you give it a small amount of space. It's not perfect, and can be frustrating at times, but I'm using it right now, and I much prefer Messenger and surfing the net all in one.

Here is how you do it (Firefox guide):

1. First visit Meebo's homepage and bookmark it.
2. Go into Bookmarks > Organise Bookmarks, find Meebo, right click and select properties.
3. Simply tick the checkbox 'Load this bookmark in the sidebar'.
4. Login to the service and start using Messenger.

Here is how you do it (Opera guide):

1. Navigate to Meebo's homepage.
2. Go to Bookmarks > Bookmark Page.
3. Expand the dialogue box by clicking on the button that says 'Details >>'.
4. Tick 'Show in panel' at the bottom of the box and hit 'OK'.
   
5. Open the sidebar, if you haven't already, by hitting F4. Click on the freshly added Meebo button and you should be on your way.

Moving windows around can be a little frustrating at first, and it does lack many of the fun features within Messenger, but you may really like it. I believe surfing the net and using Messenger at the same time is so much better than constantly clicking buttons on the taskbar.

View it in action for Windows Live Messenger
Visit Meebo's homepage
View how to do the same for Google Talk