developed a chat IM, popup blocker decision need advice

[willeffects]

So we developed an instant messenger for a private website. The client wanted it internal to the site because students can speak with other students and add them to the buddy list. We made it function real time like any AIM style chat.

Problem:
Potentially the user could have 5+ chat windows open (like i do with many developer friends during the day). So it seems if we make it a dhtml div it would make browsing the site completely useless. However, it now seems that having a popup chat window is running into the popup blocker issue.

I think a popup is most effecient way of simulating AIM, but it sounds like even if we find some code to get around the blockers it will be updated and killed soon.

Any advice? Is there any way to easily let users allow popups from the site (ie click on something to approve it). I know most are set to just block and users will never even know...

Any help appreciated.

[garann]

The good popup blockers allow popups users have "asked for" by clicking a link. For those that don't, you could fall back to dhtml popups?

[willeffects]

I guess the first time we could ask them to click a link to "activate" popups if they want them and then fall back to DHTML if they do not. But is there some specific code that will always ask them? I know some users have set to block all popups without notifying (like I have set myself).

[garann]

You can't make their popup blocker ask if they want to turn off blocking (I don't think), but you can try to open your window, check to see whether it exists, and if not pop up an alert telling them they need to disable blocking or just go straight to dhtml popups.