> Is there an application that will allow me to communicate with people using > MS Instant Messenger (or whatever it's called)? One that will let me log in > to hotmail.com as well? If by hotmail.com, you mean the web-based email service, try Konqueror (I noticed you're using KMail, so I guess you'd use Konqueror). If you're getting some sort of secure prototol not supported error under Konqueror, install the packages kdebase-crypto and kdelibs3-crypto.
For the messenger issue, search freshmeat.net for messenger clients. There are dozens offering support for various services (MS, AIM, Yahoo, etc).