This is SHWWWEET! Verant/Sony has just announced a new service coming soon - EverQuest Instant Messenger or EQIM. The service will connect directly to the chat server and will allow you to communicate with other players who are ingame while you are NOT playing! You will use one of your characters as your login name and will be able to chat with anyone on any server. To read the entire announcement on EQLive!, click here. The only drawback is that after a trial period, you will be charged to use the EQIM. The price has not yet been set.