Should Orkut Integrate This Google Talk Hack?

(Hat Tip: Ramesh Chowdary from Tech Orchard)

A long, long time ago Google decided to add Google Talk to Orkut in order to allow friends to easily chat with each in real time.

Unfortunately Google Talk was very limited, causing some people to either whine about it (okay, so I was the only one complaining) while others decided to do actually create a hack for the rest of us.

Now it seems that a new Google Talk hack has emerged, that not only improves upon the previous hack, but also is in the "perfect spot" on the Orkut page.

(Gauravv.com) Recently i felt need of an IM client just inside orkut so that i can be in touch with who are online ,although i knew ultimately orkut will add this feature someday ..but why wait for them to take initiative :) so i made this greasemonkey script which does same thing,it also has support for multiuser conference :).

The beauty of this hack is that users can "hide" the Gtalk (or Google Talk) feature by clicking on the Hide Gtalk link...



...if they feel like browsing through their list of friends.

If they feel like chatting with someone online all they have to do is click Show Gtalk link...



...and they can begin to chat, or even call them if they would like.

If any Googlers are reading this post, hopefully they will consider adding this feature, along with a host of others rumored to be coming out this November.

Note: This hack is currently for Firefox users only, although I will see if I can find one for Internet Explorer 7 (as I'm seeking some useful hacks come out for that browser).

You will need to install GreaseMonkey first, as well as Macromedia Flash Player.

After that, head over to UserScripts.org to install this hack. I will add this hack underneath Orkut User Tools in the GreaseMonkey section.

Hack: Adding Google Talk Inside Orkut

Some of you may have remembered hearing the news about the search engine king integrating Google Talk within Orkut.

Unfortunately it was a bit limited, (at least to me) and I was wondering whether or not Google would consider adding a full blown version inside Orkut.

Well, it seems that a user who goes by the name of ErickXavier has used a GreaseMonkey hack (Firefox only) in order to turn this wish into a reality.

(Tech Buzz) Recently Google introduced a new Google Talk Gadget which could be embedded onto any blog or webpage. Making use of this gadget, ErickXavier has coded a Greasemonkey script which adds a nifty Google Talk gadget within Orkut Sidebar, which allows you to stay intouch with your buddies without installing Google Talk. [...]

Click here to install the script from our mirror (Alternatively, you can get it from Userscripts)

In my honest opinion Gtalk seems to have a nicer fit inside Orkut than within Gmail. Although it is nice to talk to your friends while checking messages, I often found myself bombarded with random requests (especially when reading important messages) resulting in the death of that handy chat feature.

While surfing Orkut however I do not mind these requests (and often preferred them above scraps) although until now the only way to access this feature was through Orkut Cute.

This hack will definitely be added to the sidebar underneath Orkut User Tools (in the GreaseMonkey section).

Exit Question: For those of you who have tested this out, do you think Google should add this feature within Orkut (along with file sharing and group chats) or instead avoid Gtalk like the black plague?

Orkut Cute Adds Google Talk

It looks like a new version of Orkut Cute has rolled out (now at version 8.7.2) and has included with its numerous tools the ability to contact your friends via Google Talk.



Although not a major deal (as Google added this to Orkut previously) one thing that makes this unique is that users have the ability to contact all of their online friends at once.

The feature is located underneath the Cute Talk tab (if you don't see it, select the Manager tab first, then Cute Talk).

For those of you who are not familiar with Orkut Cute, here is a brief recap of what this software (developed by Alexandre Pires) can do for your Orkut life:

• Scrap all of your friends at once


• Change your Orkut background


• Forum notifier (updates you on the latest community posts)


• Scrapbook notifier


• Anti-Virus center (very much needed)


• Last, Google Talk (with built in online indicator)

Alexandre has also developed several other programs for Orkut, although I am not sure if those are free ware and you may have to contact him directly for more details (as they can be misused).

You can find more information about Orkut Cute, as well as support over in the official forum.

Should Google Fully Integrate Gtalk Within Orkut?

With the official announcement by Google, I was wondering if anyone out there desired more out of the Gtalk plus Orkut integration than simple orange, green and red balls dotting the deep blue forums.

What Orkut has already done with Gtalk is by itself great--but I was hoping for a full blown chat feature underneath my profile, sort of like what Gmail has for its users.

Although Orkut is built using ASP .Net (although it may be running on a Linux server) I was wondering if it would be possible to combine Gtalk's AJAX feature within Orkut's ASP .Net servers in order to allow users to fully chat with their favorite friends.

And if this is possible, should Google implement this within Orkut or would adding this feature make the site more cluttered?

Google Officially Talks To Orkut

Google has officially announced the marriage of Gtalk with Orkut over on its corporate blog:

Here's what to look for. If your friends are online and using Google Talk, you'll see a brightly-colored ball by their name. Green means they're available; orange means they're away from their computer; and red means they're busy. But no matter which color, if you see that ball, it means you can chat with or call your friends in just a couple of clicks.

We've put some orkut features into Google Talk too. In addition to chatting, calling, and sending files to your Google Talk buddies, you can also scrap them, receive instant notice when others scrap you, and quickly jump to any of their orkut profiles.

Although I enjoy the integration of Gtalk, I was rather disappointed over its limitation. I was hoping for something similar to Gmail, which has Gtalk on the side, which is more convenient.

I wonder if anyone could develop a firefox hack to insert all of Gtalk within Orkut?

Google Talk Limited Within Orkut

(Hat Tip: Luiz Irber via Google OS comment)

It looks like Google is beginning to marry Google Talk with Orkut, as several new features are already appearing within my Orkut account.



Unfortunately it is not a full blown version of Gtalk within Orkut, although you can see the basics of one being developed. In order to sign up, users need to visit http://www.orkut.com/GoogleTalkSignup.aspx .

Users already familiar with Google Talk (and active using it) will simply need to connect their Orkut account with their Gtalk account. You will have the option to simply have all of your Orkut friends see you, or select which ones can view your status manually.

Once you connect the two, you will begin to see changes within Gtalk, that is if your friend has an Orkut account.

(Note: Name removed to protect the innocent.)

Although I do enjoy these teasers from Google, I await the full blown version of Gtalk underneath my Orkut profile.

Note: Is it me, or did anyone else notice the color change around your profile picture? I wonder if the change was made in order to match Orkut's skin for Gtalk?