I read this thread today regard Google’s Instant Message service, Google Talk. I picked up a few tools that appear to allow you to use Google Talk natively in Linux. I tried both on my Ubuntu 8.10 system, and appeared to work although I haven’t given them a thorough test.
First Option: IMO — an online service that allows you to connect from an online page. It supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM / ICQ, Google Talk, MySpace, and Skype.
Second Option: Empathy — an instant message application. I found it in the Respositories for Ubuntu and it installed with no problems.
The one thing I wish empathy would do is Skype. I have to use Skype for work, and it would be nice to have one tool for both.