One of my computers is an old RHEL 5.1 system on which I'm not allowed to install Pidgin or other desktop IM clients. So I was trying to figure out how to create a bookmark button for the GTalk gadget that opens in a convenient popup window. Here is the solution. 🙂
The Problem
Many work environments have restrictions on what software can be installed. If you're on a locked-down system but need to use Google Talk for communication, you're stuck. The web-based Gmail interface has GTalk integrated, but it's not ideal for quick conversations—you have to keep Gmail open, and it's buried in a tab.