I'd recommend using a better Jabber client and not falling for Google's hype on this one.
Google is just using the already existent Jabber framework, so anyone with any Jabber client can chat with those on Google Talk.
Here is the list of Jabber-using clients:
http://www.jabber.org/software/clients.shtml
Psi is a nice one:
http://psi.affinix.com/
Gaim also works.