Yes
iChat uses the AIM network so to talk to people without iChat they will need to be on the AIM network. (See links below) .
iChat uses the AIM network so a Windows user with an AIM account (See links below) will be able to contact a Mac user with iChat.
"You cannot use ichat for Windows. Ichat is used with Mac, but you can use AIM with Windows and comunicate with Ichat on Mac. You will also need internet."
There is no Windows version of iChat yet but if the Windows user is using an AIM account then you can connect to the Mac iChat user if they are logged into iChat via an AIM account. Otherwise iChat will not work. You can also connect both users via a free online video/chat application similar to Skype, it's a very useful free video/chat application that cross's both Windows and Macs well.
skype or pidgen both of which are also available for Apple Macs. AOL's AIM software uses the same systems as iChat. (See links below)
To communicate between a PC with a webcam and Macs using iChat you will need to get a free AIM name. You can then configure your AIM account to connect with iChat sessions. (See links below)
Skype and iChat don't talk to each other. In order to chat, if one party is using iChat, the other party can use AIM. Or if one party is using Skype, then the other party can install Skype as well.
>There is no version of iChat produced for Windows. However, you can use other instant >messenger clients such as Pidgin to chat, even with people using iChat. You can use Jabber to connect to MS/Live Messenger or Yahoo Messenger from iChat. In fact I got it working to connect to my FaceBook friends.
Alternatives of iChat for Non-Macintosh users, include, AIM, Trillian Astra, Digsby, Plidgin IM, Myspace IM, MirandaIM and Meebo. These can be downloaded onto your computer.
No. You should not.
You can only do this of you have a mac with ichat
iChat is serviced by AOL Aim services, so it would be the same as everyone else's AIM programs, but I don't know if it supports text messages.