The Google "hangout" that Debadoo set up recently is quite delightful. For several of us, including Iffy and myself, it was a first-ever experience with video/audio group chats and we were pleasantly blown away by the quality of the experience.
You can disable the camera, disable your microphone, or both, if you choose, and still see and hear others who are in the hangout. You can still input text even if you've disabled both video and audio from your end.
Even if you don't know for sure whether you'll ever be interested, why not bookmark the link to the hangout so you can visit there if the spirit so moves ye. The address is
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