title: How would you make an instant messenger program for a websites userbase?
body: <p>I have a social network site similar in design to a myspace/facebook type community, I am using php/mysql on a LAMP setup.<br>
  I have always wanted to possibly have my own instant messenger that would go on a user's PC similar to AIM that would work </p>
  
  <p>with my site, meanning a buddylist in the program would consist of users on my site and also to show a users image next to </p>
  
  <p>the name and a link to there profile on my site.</p>
  
  <p>Now I know this is possible but what would make me not want to do it is the server resources it would take.  So I am asking, </p>
  
  <p>if you were to do this, how would you go about it?</p>
  
  <p>What language would you make the .exe program in?</p>
  
  <p>Is there someway to make a user connect to another user so that each message between them is not hitting my mysql DB?</p>
  
  <p>Any tips/advice/suggestions welcome </p>