Whilst it has always been possible to use instant messaging within Second Life, Linden Lab have yet to offer a separate client which doesn't require starting up the full 3D client. This has perhaps restricted its growth as an IM service in its own right, when users expect to be able to access IM casually, through a light-weight client or even through the web browser. However, there is evidence that Second Life is moving towards offering a standalone IM client or gateway: Massively has picked up a trademark application from Linden Lab for SLim, which it seems likely relates to some kind of IM service:
"SLim" with "SL" in upper case as an abbreviation for Second Life, and "im" in lower case as an abbreviation for instant messaging.
Of course, Second Life hasn't entirely prevented IM use outside the client. UK student Katherine Berry has created AjaxLife, a SL client which runs in the web browser, allowing access to features such as IM without the need to start up the full client. She's also recently released a version for the iPhone. Nevertheless, a a separate IM client which plugs into a Jabber gateway from Linden would no doubt be popular, and make IM much more popular. It could also act as another reason for users to get into Second Life; users don't need to be educated about IM, so the IM could act as a stepping stone to the full virtual world.
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