Re: Instant Messaging Feature
@Histrion You have been misinformed. I have been using BP Gallery in different sites since its alpha version more than a year ago (early 2010) where it already had image, audio and video galleries for groups. I can say it continues to shine code-wise and feature-wise. Brajesh has consistently rolled out updated/improved BP Gallery versions each time BuddyPress and/or WP/MU/MS has been updated and whenever necessary in between. I have not experienced “collapsing of plugin” at any time. Maybe you’re writing about a different plugin 
BP Gallery is work of @sbrajesh = BuddyDev.com. Brajesh has also made the “Pretty Gallery plugin for BP Gallery” as an add-on plugin for the special effects on media uploaded already via BP Gallery. And, he never claimed to have created Pretty Gallery plugin in the first place. He is a professional who gives credit where credit is due.
As for BP Chat, it is still in beta – http://buddydev.com/plugins/bp-chat/ – which means it’s not stable yet.
You are free to use other chat plugins just as you are free to use other gallery/album plugins.
Cheers.
