I'd like to have a page that communicates directly to some IM service that I will generally be able to be logged into.E.g. I am on gtalk all the time, I'd like people to be able to get in touch with me via the website.  (the specific protocol isn't that important, of course)What would be the simplest set of technologies to implement that (me at my computer, a guest viewer on a page of my website)?
What is the simplest way to implement an instant messaging contact page on my website?
user engagement
Use the Google Talk chatback widget. You just have to embed a HTML snippet that they provide.