DISCLAIMER: This is a beta feature that I have added mainly for my own use. If you don't see the value in it or don't understand it then just don't use it! It's also a feature that involves many variables - Your mileage may vary.

I have enabled Instant Messaging notifications on AL. This means that you can optionally have new PM notifications and notifications of new posts to threads/forums that you've subscribed to sent by IM as well as, or instead of, email. The server sends these notification messages using the open XMPP/Jabber protocol, from it's userID thealienslegacy@jabber.org - various IM services have "XMPP Gateways" that allow their users to receive messages from XMPP.

Note that these notifications are one-way, you cannot reply to them!

In the UCP, under Edit Profile, there is a box "Jabber/XMPP address for board notifications". If you would like to use this feature, enter one of the following:

• Jabber - Just user your normal jabber account name
• Google Talk - enter your Google Talk ID eg: <name>@googlemail.com or <name>@gmail.com as appropriate.
• ICQ - <youricqnumber>@aol.com
• AIM - <youraimid>@aol.com

NOTE: You will probably need to add user thealienslegacy@jabber.org to the contact list in your IM application before the messages will be shown, since unsolicited IMs are usually rejected by default.

Once you add an XMPP address to your profile, an additional option will appear in your Board Preferences for selecting if you receive notifications by Jabber IM, Email or Both.

I have only tested this using Google Talk, but it *should* work with the other services. Let me know how you get on. If you know if any of the other IM systems have Jabber/XMPP gateways then let us know the address format to use!