Evolution of Gmail chat

Just a short overview of how Gmail chat evolved since its first appearance. And it has to be said it works very well. However i started to be a fan of Google Talk Labs edition. I dont know since when it has this feature, but i just love the fetching of youtube vids and picasa albums straight in the chat window so i dont have to visit the site itself, very well done!

Keyword: Gradual Engagement

Luke Wroblewski at A List Apart published a nice article, with a rather radical title:
Sign Up Forms Must Die