Do I have to have a paid .Mac account to use iChat?
A- No. You can sign up for either a free iChat or AOL IM account. The first time you launch iChat, you’ll be presented with a window asking for your .Mac information. If you don’t have an account, click the “Get an iChat Account” button. Your browser will launch and take you to Apple’s “Get Your Free iChat Account Now” page. You’ll have the option of signing up for .Mac or the free iChat account.