This is not so much a Linux question as an open source question.
What I am looking for is an application that is cross-compatible between the different messenger services and that will run on windows - sounds like open source 'ware would be the only thing that would do that.

To clarify, If I am using Yahoo messenger through my ISP, SBCGlobal, I am unable to communicate with a friend that used MSN messenger. Rather than having more than one service open I would like to have a more compatible open source application. Is there one ? Do you have any ideas for me ?

Thanks,

B.

Try Pidgin it's available from here: http://www.pidgin.im/